posted on September 7, 2000 09:23:49 AM
My eleven year old sons dentist recommends that I take him to an orthodontist and get him fitted for braces. I don't doubt that he will need braces - but, isn't eleven too young? He's still getting and losing teeth - surely his bones aren't through growing yet. I always thought that you didn't start braces until they were about 14 or 15? My older daughter has perfectly straight teeth so I never had to deal with any of this for her.
I don't want to shortchange him and our insurance will probably cover most of it - but - braces for an eleven year old?
Have any of you already gone through this with your kids?
posted on September 7, 2000 09:32:55 AM
Not yet bidness. We NEED to. My friend just did and was told that after about 12 years old it would be "too late" to be effective in the long run. I wonder the same thing. Good question.
posted on September 7, 2000 09:33:33 AM
My 18 year old son had to wait until he was15 to get started on his braces due to how late his teeth came in.
My daughter who turned 13 in March has had her braces on for a year already.
It really depends on their permenent teeth I believe, and most dentists like to at least have you see the orthodondist by the time the child is 12 or so for an evaluation.
Good luck...I paid $3000 for my son who had a truckload of stuff done to him. My daughters are $1600. Our regular dentist does braces, he continued his education a few years ago for the training. We have no dental coverage at all except for surgery.
We were also told by our dentist that in many cases they can prevent full blown braces by some simple appliances when the kids are still pretty young. My daughter had her palete expanded when she was 9 or 10 to help make some room in her mouth.
[ edited by Meya on Sep 7, 2000 09:35 AM ]
They are doing braces younger and younger. I think it has something to do with changing the formation of the bones in the mouth while they are still growing. They may want to make more room in his mouth for the permanent teeth to come in when they do so they don't have to pull anything, pre braces.
I do know and don't know if anyone else has noticed this but I have had several friends who got braces when they were teenagers (back in my day) end up getting them again when they are adults.
posted on September 7, 2000 09:50:29 AM
They are resorting to braces at earlier ages, and for very good reasons.
The mouth and teeth are very flexible at an early age; some of the tooth damage that malocclusions cause can be avoided if braces are applied earlier; and the total cost of the "repairs" may be less if started earlier.
My son had upper only braces at age 8 and it corrected one problem he had and it now appears that it helped another and he may be able to get along without full braces due to the early intervention.
I have been very glad that I took my dentists's advice and took my two kids to the orthodontist early. I believe it will cost less in the long run. My neighbor waited and waited until her daughter was 15 before she agreed to braces. Now, the poor girl's teeth are abnormally worn and she may have to have extensive dental work AFTER the braces to cover and repair the worn teeth.
Most orthodontists here in Ohio charge a $500 upfront fee at placement of the braces and then the balance due is paid in 24 monthly installments with no interest, so don't let the money stop you. Also, many dental schools offer low cost dental and orthodontic work. If you are near one, give them a call.
posted on September 7, 2000 10:02:24 AM
I guess the first thing I should do is just take him in for the evaluation. It seems a little young - but, if it can prevent more problems in the future it'll be worth it.
Even with insurance I've got feeling this will be an expensive venture. Yuck!
posted on September 7, 2000 10:09:25 AM
mybiddness, our dentist told me that my son needs braces NOW at age 9!!! Also that my other son who just turned 8 will need them too but he can wait a year or so... gee thanks. Their buddy down the street, also aged 9, just got them. I don't know how they do it either when all adult teeth are still not in. That's one of my to-do things next week... call an orthodontist for an evaluation. And yes, we're talking about a couple thou... no such bird as cheap braces... sigh
Now, when I had braces, I got them on when I was 14 I think... can't remember back that far, lol
posted on September 7, 2000 02:41:07 PM
I don’t think age has much to do with it at all. It depends on the child and the orthodontist. My best friend was told she needed braces when she was 9. Her teeth were perfect but her dentist wanted to make sure that they stayed that way. Sounded nuts to me. Her parents paied $800. She wore them for 3 years. Her teeth are a mess today. I got my braces on at age 12. My teeth were terrible. All were either pushed in, pushed out, or turned sideways. We paid $3000. I wore my braces for about 14 months. I have perfect teeth now.
I would say most orthodontists know what is the right age. Me and my friends all had them around age 11 and 12. I didn't know too many that had them after age 13.
posted on September 7, 2000 10:09:43 PM
What do you say to a child that does not want them? Should you let them choose? Why are perfect teeth so important?
T
posted on September 7, 2000 10:24:28 PMjt: From a site on orthodontics:
Many people have a dental or facial irregularity, called a malocclusion, which means "bad bite." Examples of malocclusions are crowded teeth, too much space between teeth, extra or missing teeth, and irregularities of the jaw, teeth and face.
...If you or your child has a malocclusion, it's important to have it corrected. If it isn't, it will get worse and become more serious and more expensive to fix later. People with a malocclusion may have difficulty cleaning their teeth, suffer chronic headaches, have pain in the face or neck, or have damaged self-esteem because of the way they look.
I don't know...there are just some things children should not "decide for themselves." If there is a serious need for braces & the parents can provide them, then do it. There will come a time when the child is mature enough to see why it was necessary & to thank their parents.
posted on September 8, 2000 07:29:08 AM
I must be showing my age - "in my day" kids didn't even think about getting braces until they were teenagers.
I can tell from looking at my sons teeth that he's going to have overcrowding like my brother did. It's probably good to start the correcting while he's young. I don't think this is something they should have a choice about. In our situation my son has a lot more trouble keeping his teeth clean because of the overcrowding. I see this as a way of preventing potential bigger problems down the road by fixing the little problems now.
Just thought that 11 was a little young to start considering he's still losing baby teeth. I made an appointment with the orthodontist though - so, guess we'll get to start sooner than I expected.
posted on September 8, 2000 01:39:45 PM
I had braces at 12; my daugher (the older one) was supposed to get 'em this summer - but we just can't afford it so she won't (she's also 12).
In her case it is primarily a cosmetic issue -- and as such it isn't a financial priority for us. Even health issues tend to get ignored around here until they are, well, significant.
posted on September 9, 2000 12:45:24 PM
My sons are 9 and 10. Last year my dentist wanted them to get braces. I think after next months' check ups I'll start the process. I am one of the very fortunate few, our employee health plan will cover the full cost of braces for any dependent child under the age of 19. I'm thinking, I should go ahead and do it before we lose that benefit!!
Their buddy down the street, also aged 9, just got them. I don't know how they do it either when all adult teeth are still not in. That's one of my to-do things next week... call an orthodontist for an evaluation. And yes, we're talking about a couple thou... no such bird as cheap braces... sigh
Money does matter.