Dreaded six letter word hit!

My husband would tell you to always assume a doctor/dentist/lawyer (and probably several others) are lying. They're in business to make money! LOL I always tell him he's cynical.

If in doubt, get a second opinion. The most it could cost is an office visit. Some dentists will do it for a reduced office visit fee if all they have to do is look to see if braces are really needed.

I'm with you...food, roof, and college are far more important than two slightly and impercetibly leaning bottom teeth.

 

If the dentist wants her to get braces, get a second opinion from the orthodontist. If the orthodontist originally recommended braces, ask the dentist. Ask two different orthodontists if both recommend braces. Check out their waiting rooms and ask other patients. If every single patient just HAS to have a second set of braces @ $10,000 a set, if the doc gives the patients free pool parties, and the waiting room is full of expensive video games, chances are your kid doesn't need the braces as much as the doc wants the money. We have one of those here. So, go to a few for a free consultation before you make any decisions.

Dd1 is on her second set of braces which will come off soon. I have paid enough for braces to get myself a second car. But, we did the braces instead and are now glad we did. How a child can need braces when both parents have perfect teeth is beyond me!

A different orthodontist tried to have us get braces for dd2 (age 10) and we decided to wait, as he said it was "optional" and we could wait a year to see if her teeth improved. Now, a year later, the dentist told us her smile is great and her bite is perfect. She doesn't need braces. The orthodontist did admit he suggested braces for "cosmetic purposes but that they weren't desperately needed."

 

I'm taking my 14 yr. old to the ortho today; his braces come off in early December. In his case, he needed them, no doubt.

I'd echo the other's advice and get a 2nd opinion. If it's only two bottom teeth maybe there is a dental appliance she can wear at night that will straighten out those teeth.

What does your daughter think? Does she think she needs them? That's another (small) consideration.

They do have payment plans available. We never could have done it without a payment plan. And as abcgrad94 mentioned, some of these orthos have plush offices and incredible office spaces. They must really be raking in the dough. For example, every year our orthodontist rents out the three of the nicest theaters in town and allows every child getting his care to go to a free movie. Last year it was Toy Story 3, I believe.

annsni advice is good as well. You can always wait and see how the teeth align as she gets older and get braces at a later date. However, your daughter might not want to wear braces in high school.

 

Honestly. Life doesn't end because of crooked teeth. This is just one of those life myths (like the one that says you MUST provide your child $$ for college) that got started to make money for someone else.

I've had crooked teeth all my life. I still manage to eat, speak clearly, and my teeth are extrordinarily healthy. Could I have them straightened? In any number of ways. I even have insurance that would help pay it. Am I gonna do it? Nope. I figure I've got nearly 50 years in with my choppers just like they are, why fix what ain't broken?

Because we do have insurance, I have given my girls the option of getting braces. One needs them more than the other. The nineteen year old has just now decided she wants them IF we can figure out how to fit them in her schedule. The 13 yo hasn't quite decided.

But I'm going to tell you, if it came down to food vs braces food is going to win out every single time. So is transportation, electricity and even cable. Why?

Because most braces are for cosmetic reason only!

Yeah. Vanity.

 

I forgot to add that if overcrowding is the issue, the braces are most likely necessary. In dd1's case, she had big teeth and a small mouth. The teeth just didn't have enough room to come in. This can cause major problems with migrane headaches later on down the road from the pressure. She had an expander first, then as the teeth came in, needed the braces for alignment.

I have a family member with straight teeth who didn't get the braces as they couldn't afford it. His mouth was overcrowded, with the teeth so close together they caused pressure against each other. He's now had to have all of his back teeth pulled out and he suffers from bad headaches. That's something you might want to consider when making your decision.

 

I had orthodontic work at great expense to my parents....I am truely grateful as my teeth were very crooked and bucked outwards. My brother did not as my folks felt for a girl to catch a husband it was of greater importance whereas the fellow just needed a good education leading to a career.

Never did catch a husband but am still grateful for the treatment. If the expense is too great....the child can follow up as an income earning adult, I have seen quite a number of young adults with braces and things.

Cosmetic dentistry is a growth industry now a days so it would be wise to get a couple of consults and decide from there ......

 

THIS THREAD (excuse for changing topic) demonstrates why most discussions about labor unions are off base. ALL doctoring and lawyering is done in a union shop. Worse than that, a closed shop. You can't ever get the job until you join their union. That is why braces cost $10K. But no one ever makes the connection.