Questions for parents who'd kids have (had) braces.

[DisneyBabies]

My teeth were absolutely HORRIBLE and I had braces from the beginning of 6th grade until right before 10th grade. Most of the time the adjustments didn't do much more than make my mouth sore, but there were a few times that they hurt so much I couldn't even open my mouth.

My ortho was wonderful and he was recommended by my dentist; They worked together and came to a consensus about what to do when for my treatment. All the schools in my area had an agreement with my ortho about appointments. The ortho would come and pick a group of us up from school and we would be delivered back to the school together. The ortho would also let the school know who had appts when so we were all excused and the school let the ortho know when we were doing exams or major testing so we wouldn't miss those days. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like this is a common way to do business.

My one real tip for your child: Keep you retainer forever (and try it on every once in a while)! I wore mine as instructed and kept it for a couple of years after they said I didn't need it anymore but eventually got rid of it. Now my teeth are starting to shift again and I would kill to have my retainer back. Keep your retainer forever (and try it on every once in a while)! (I can't say it enough.)

 

[Rora]

Like others have mentioned, ask your dentist for referals. Also, word of mouth from other parents.

When I had braces, most of my appointments were either during school hours or immediately right after school. Honestly, I'd prefer that than sitting in the office for over an hour waiting to be seen at 3:30.

 

[aprilgail2]

We are in phase 1 right now w/our DS8. Our ortho comes out to our pedi dentist office 1 day/week (fridays). He's pretty much the only one in our area..there are some in the opposite direction, though.

I pretty much asked around, did some research on him and we love our pedi dentist, so if she opens up her office to him 1 day a week...I'm good w/that.

If your ortho is only in that office one day a week what do you do for an emergancy visit like if a bracket breaks, or a wire comes out and is stabbing them in the cheek?? I am not sure I would go to someone that was only there once a week and didn't have their own office.

 

[carone0318]

Same with my dd, in Feb it will be 2 yrs since she has had her braces. She still has a baby tooth, her last one, to fall out. Ortho wants to maximize the use of the space with the baby teeth come out, so she has not had any baby or permanent teeth pulled.

She goes about every 4-6 weeks, no problems at all. She is due in on the 7th when I plan to ask if we are still on plan for them coming off in Feb. She has only broken 2 brackets, both neither from food - basically smacking her face into mats at the gym (gymnast, go figure!)

Before dd comes out of the braces, I plan to get ds in for a consult, because he needs them, it's just a matter of when they decide to put them on. Hopefully it won't be until hers are off!

You really can't plan for when the braces go on. My kids have seen the orthodontist since pretty early in elementary school to watch for readiness and expansion needs. Braces were on all of mine before all the baby teeth came out. They don't put brackets on the primaries but need to make room for the permanents to fall as close to where they should be as possible. Making room early is the best way to insure no need to remove permanent teeth during the treatment.

 

[Arielle22]

Both dd16 and dd14 have braces. It has been 2 yrs for dd16 and almost 2 yrs for dd14. Younger dd had an initial round for her upper only when she was younger as well.

Ortho is part of the dentist practice which we love so it was a no brainer for us. Cost was 5,500 with 1,500 down. Our insurance paid 1,500 for each and we pay 200 per month per dd.

Appointments are once a month usually after school. Unfortunately dd16 got a cavity and she has to go this Weds in the morning. Ortho will remove bracket so that dentist can fill cavity then bracket will be replaced.

We bought them the recommended electric toothbrush (about $90) which has helped a lot.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Back from my second consult.

Much better. This ortho is also a dentist. He quickly pinpointed the issues and gave me the lowdown. Damage is 4,025 plus a 200 records appt. to do the molds, x-rays, etc..

He has a MAGD and a AACD.

There is another ortho I want to see for a consult. He is strictly an ortho.

Ugh, I hate this.

 

[KiminChicago]

We just got back from the orthodontist with DD's new retainer.

Our ortho was a referral from our dentist but I'm guessing 75 - 80% of the kids in DD's school use the same guy. We're always running into people we know when we go for appointments.

I started taking DD as soon as she lost her first baby tooth -- the difference in size between her baby tooth and the adult tooth was so big that I knew she'd have problems with overcrowding (I did too but my parents could never afford to get braces for me -- this was back in the old days when no one had dental insurance, now my teeth are really crooked). We took her back every 6 months or so until she had lost enough baby teeth that the ortho felt it was worthwhile to put in expanders (top and bottom). Fortunately the consults are all no cost.

DD got her braces in June of 2008 when she was 9 and they came out in September of 2009. She was actually sad when they were removed -- they had become a fashion statement. She would match the bands to the holidays -- or for dance competitions she matched them to her costume. We only once had an issue with a wire poking her and when I called about it, the orthodontist had us come right in and he fixed it on the spot. The only times we've ever had to miss school were when he put the brackets on and when they did the impressions for her retainer. DD had such an easy time of it that now I'm considering getting braces myself. I know it won't be quite as easy for me, but it doesn't seem like it would be horrible either.