Comments on: Orthodontist Appointment

By: Beth B

Beth B — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:00:33 +0000

I remember having to learn to talk around the retainer too! But she will get the hang of it! Just make sure she keeps wearing that retainer every single day for at least a year, and then to continue to wear it at night so those teeth don’t move back. I wore mine every night until I was a junior in college and my teeth are still straight over 25 years later. My husband didn’t wear his and his teeth definitely moved back.

By: nofearingthemoney

nofearingthemoney — Tue, 13 May 2008 12:54:38 +0000

Donna Jean and Jen,

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. I really appreciate it. I already have a lot of questions (mainly for my son’s sake rather than the money) and more research to conduct before we decide on a course of treatment. I will definitely take your advice and comments into consideration.

Thanks again,
nofear

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 12 May 2008 22:02:38 +0000

I actually had a palate expander as an 11-year old and, while it was painful and annoying, it made a big difference. My teeth were HORRIBLE before treatment with teeth behind other teeth, no room for molars to come in, and my dentist/orthodontist was able to follow my palate expansion with braces to straighten my teeth without pulling any.

After all that expensive and painful treatment just remember to wear the retainers and watch out for those wisdom teeth in the late teens/early 20s. My perfectly straight teeth began to mis-align because of pushy wisdom teeth until I got them pulled.

By: donna jean

donna jean — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:37:55 +0000

I know the pain of paying for orthodontic work — we just started Round 2 in December for the daughter, another couple thousand dollars. Frustrating part is that I’m not so sure Round 1 was all that effective, at least not to the tune of what I paid for it. This round makes much more sense to me (plus I had it as a child too and know it’s effective), but I’m already dreading Round 3 (where we’ll finally get to straightening teeth, up till then it’s all jaw alignment work).

nofearingthemoney - our round 1 was a palate spreader and I’m just not convinced it was necessary, and after completing (and paying for) 2 years of treatment for that alone, I expected to be convinced it was a good thing. I’d suggest asking plenty of questions and possible second opinion when it’s time — we did that but decided to go with the more expensive place and I hate that I now question our decision after the fact. Especially since braces are still needed later, I wonder if we could have skipped the spreader and she could just spend a little more time in braces (which doesn’t cost more if you’re already going to end up with them anyways, at least for us, it doesn’t).

By: nofearingthemoney

nofearingthemoney — Mon, 12 May 2008 19:59:20 +0000

I feel you. My poor son already wears glasses for Amblyopia in one eye and just plain poor eyesight in the other. Now, we are told that he will need a palate expander because his permanent teeth are too big for his little mouth (you can see the teeth pressing up against his gums with no where to go). In addition, given how they are likely to come in, he will also need braces. I have no idea what it will all cost at this point, but I feel so bad for the little guy I (almost) won’t be able to complain.

By: Single Ma

Single Ma — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:22:26 +0000

Unfortunately, she only had the top brackets removed. Doc wants to keep the bottom on for a little while longer because one tooth isn’t cooperating. 4 more weeks…and we’ll try it again.

She’s already hating the retainer b/c she can’t talk. LOL
And still no candy! Un un, mommy doesn’t allow it - before or after.

By: Mrs. Micah

Mrs. Micah — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:15:48 +0000

I suggest chocolate caramels to celebrate!! Followed by rigorous tooth-brushing, of course.

I remember getting my braces off…that was a glorious day!