Tell me about braces...How much?

[catsrule]

shep! But just think of the vacation you could take with that money.

 

[shep]

shep! But just think of the vacation you could take with that money.

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

Just wondering what folks do if they move between the time braces put on and taken off?

Sounds like orthodontists lock you in for the appointments/maintenance once the braces go on -- So if your child has braces on and then your family needs to move, what do you do????

 

[hydster]

We had DS's put on last August after wearing a pallete expander for 3 months. It cost us $3950 but our dental paid 1000 of it so total for everything including the pallete expander, braces, adjustments and cemeted on retainer is costing us 2350. We will have them paid for in March of 2007 and they come off in April 2007 and honestly I can't wait!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Just wondering what folks do if they move between the time braces put on and taken off?

Sounds like orthodontists lock you in for the appointments/maintenance once the braces go on -- So if your child has braces on and then your family needs to move, what do you do????

I moved.

I had a private orthodontist--so don't know how the groups work it. I chose someone reputable and may have inquired about that as I was in college and probably wasn't staying until the end of treatment anyway.

They calculated my treatment plan to date plus the original hardware. I was refunded monies overpaid. I was about 70% through treatment.

I found a new orthodontist and a plan was worked for remaining months of treatment plus retainer.

Aside from minor inflation of what office visits cost on a new contract made a year and a half later--I really didn't experience much of a cost difference in total price.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I think you assume incorrectly that it is just people with money.

I paid for mine myself and I wasn't rich.

I had bite issues--and when the teeth don't meet when you bite--it is a little more than a desire for straight.

(And my smile was visually fine)

Believe me, I just finished my braces and I'm sure not rich, either (I am a librarian!)! ! I also paid for mine completely out-of-pocket, with no insurance, and I was unemployed when I started, too! I also had bite issues, which was causing damage to certain teeth, but I admit that I did braces just to get a nice smile.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

You know, I'm sure you mean well by this, but it kind of irks me. My DS's have good teeth (one due to braces, one is just lucky) but I sure don't look down on anyone else, child or adult, if their teeth aren't straight. My teeth aren't perfect...my dream is to someday get braces for myself, but that doesn't mean I'm poor or classless (but I guess you would automaticaly think so if you met me ), it's just not my top priority right now.

Actually I don't really "mean well", I wrote it more as an act of defeat. I agree that people shouldn't be looked down upon if your teeth are not "perfect". But in all my experiences, the class issue is there, and only getting worse as the bar of "perfection" is being raised. I feel that others did not treat me as well when I had crooked teeth, especially on the job in terms of hirings and advancement. It was hard to compete with my perfect-smile peers. People with pretty straight teeth send a message - they look better, they portray that they are a person of quality, and more doors open up for people who look good. I can tell a huge difference in how I am treated now that I have straight teeth, as opposed to when mine were very crooked. Sad but true. For me, getting a nice smile was the best thing I could ever do for myself.

But one good thing I seen here on the DIS, is that parents will do what's necessary to give their children beautiful, healthy smiles. I don't want any child to experience such negative things like I did with crooked teeth, when it all can be so easily treated and avoided.

 

[aprilgail2]

Actually I don't really "mean well", I wrote it more as an act of defeat. I agree that people shouldn't be looked down upon if your teeth are not "perfect". But in all my experiences, the class issue is there, and only getting worse as the bar of "perfection" is being raised. I feel that others did not treat me as well when I had crooked teeth, especially on the job in terms of hirings and advancement. It was hard to compete with my perfect-smile peers. People with pretty straight teeth send a message - they look better, they portray that they are a person of quality, and more doors open up for people who look good. I can tell a huge difference in how I am treated now that I have straight teeth, as opposed to when mine were very crooked. Sad but true. For me, getting a nice smile was the best thing I could ever do for myself.

.

I don't know if people have as wuch issue with crooked teeth as missing teeth though..its really the first thing I notice on people. There is a lady that works the cold cut counter at the local meat store and I actually try to get the other persopn when I go there, she is missing many teeth in the front and the ones she has are all big and nasty. I just don't think it is professional to have someone like that working the food counter, it just seems yukky. The first thing I notice when I meet someone is their teeth, I just can't handle missing ones in the front of peoples mouths...but that is just my weird tooth issues I guess, different strokes ya know....

 

[golfgal]

For most people it isn't about fixing crooked teeth, although that is the end result, it is about fixing bite issues caused by the crooked/misaligned teeth. These bite issues can turn into serious problems over time and in the long run, braces are a LOT less expensive then TMJ and other jaw issues.

DS13 had pretty straight teeth to begin with, but the were pointed toward the back of his head, too crowded and his bite was off. He has had his on for a year and the one think I have noticed is that he doesn't have the headaches he once had.

DS11 will need braces in another couple years when his baby teeth finish falling out but DD11 has a good bite and straight teeth and won't need braces.