Hi everyone! I registered back in October, haven't posted much, but now I want to get back into the swing of things. I go to Momsview everyday and enjoy reading the posts. Anyway when I wanted to post I had forgotten my password, so now that I've fixed that here I am!! My dd is eleven and getting braces soon, I am hoping that she will adjust easy to them, she has wanted to get them for so long, do any of you have kids that have gotten them was it an easy adjustment period or what? We are paying a 600.00 down payment, which they've agreed to split up so it doesn't come out all at once, and then it will be 59.00 a month. Curious to know what you all have paid, our insurance picks up some but I didn't think it was too bad! Anyway, I am glad that I can post once again!!


Kelly

By Kay on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 01:46 pm:

Hi, Kelly. Coincidentally, I just got back from my 13 yr old dd's first orthodontic appointment. He wants her back in 4 months to look at the few baby teeth she has left, and then get her started. She's anxious to get them on and off by early high school.

We've already had 2 in braces (they're both in college now). I had to put around the same amount down, and our payment was $120 a month. We don't have insurance to cover that type of thing. The dentists/orthodontists in town that are on dental plans are ones I don't want to switch too, so we're just saving!

By Babysitbarb on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 02:04 pm:

Hey girls,
Let me give you some advise. We are getting ready to put our soon to be 15 year old back in braces, I say back in because we've already been through them once. She had exspanders for 9 months and braces for 1 year. They never pulled teeth before we did the braces because they thought they could do what they wanted with the exspanders and braces.She has a rather small mouth and her bite is wonderful but, her 12 year molars have been half the way in for 3 years and they have no room to come on in. They are locked into the other molars.We of course are very unhappy about this but, thought they knew what was best. We now are getting ready to have 6-8 teeth pulled (4 wisdom). Then braces back on the bottom for sure. My husbands insurance doesn't pay a penny of orthodonists work. between the exspanders and braces the first time it was around $3700.00. We have been putting this off for over a year because of the money. The dentist finally said "I need to help you out because this was my mistake(Hello yes it was) so he said he would just charge us for material and not labor. It's not enough for me but, I guess we'll have to settle for that. So my advise for you is to make sure they do it right the first time.

By Melanie on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 02:31 pm:

We haven't been through this yet but will in a few years. Ds #2 was a thumb sucker and his teeth formed around this thumb (bottom teeth curve in, top teeth curve out). I will be watching this post closely!

By Sunny on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 02:49 pm:

I think we paid around $1600 for my oldest's braces. My son complained about pain for a few days after they were intially put on, and then each time they were adjusted. He was really good in the beginning about not eating any of the forbidden foods, but the longer he wore them, the more lax he got. The hardest part for him I think was learning how to brush his teeth to make sure he was really cleaning around the braces. The orthodontist would get on me about his lack of brushing correctly. Thankfully, he kept them clean enough. The biggest problem I can remember was making sure he wore his retainer. Wouldn't you know, the moment I stopped pestering him about it, he stopped wearing it? I think that was the hardest part for me!

By Mommyathome on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 02:57 pm:

My kids aren't that old yet. But, we are researching preventative dentistry. I never had to have braces, but DH did. He still has a retainer on the bottom. My oldest DD just lost her 3rd tooth on the bottom. You can see the tip of the new tooth coming through and there is definitely not room for it to grow in straight. The baby tooth next to it isn't loose one bit. The dentist is going to pull that baby tooth and see if that helps the permanent tooth grow in straight. We go in on Thursday!

Braces in our area run about $2500. Most places will do a payment plan. Our insurance pays 100 % for orthodontics as long as the patient is under 18.

Good luck to your DD! I'm sure she will be sore at first but will adjust quickly!

By Conni on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 04:08 pm:

Ditto Sunny's post. My oldest has them now. He is 11.5 yrs. He got them last March on top, May on bottom. He did complain of pain for the first few days and then with each time they tighten them, which is every other month now. We paid about 1400.00 I think, but insurance covered $750.00 (a one time in a lifetime deal they offer). So if ds needs them again in a few yrs, we get to pay the full thing out of pocket. yikes! I am hoping he never has to have them again. ;) He had a large space between his front top teeth, and an eye tooth that was twisted out funny. Now his smile is SO handsome. He just had a phrenulectomy?? sp?? Last week. Has some stiches now that should dissolve in a few days. When we go back to the Orthodontist next month they will hopefully schedule removal of the braces for this spring!!! Depends on how everything looks.

Keeping them clean I think is difficult for some boys. DS has done ok with them, but he has broken his wire several times! ugh... Its a pain to have to go back to the orthodontist so many times for things like that, but it is part of it I guess.

It is funny to see all the kids at the middle school smile! They all seem to have braces at this age. lol

By Newbabysarah on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 05:34 pm:

I had braces myself when I was 10-12. I started with a retainer and then got the braces. They have much better ones now than they did 10 years ago. I am pretty sure my mother paid around 2000 for mine (not including the retainer). I adjusted easily to them but I was SOOO happy to get them off! The biggest problem for me was the cosmetic aspect of it, when I had them in I NEVER would smile with my mouth open. All in all, I am so glad that my mother made me get the braces because my teeth look very straight.

By Marcia on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 07:34 pm:

My 7.5 year old will soon be getting a head gear. I know that's very young, but she already has all of her permanent teeth. I think he said we pay $500 down, then $100/month for 10 months. She'll wear the hg for about 18 months. After that she might have a few years off before getting actual braces. No idea what they'll cost. Luckily hubby's dental plan covers a certain amount. Her disability benefits will also cover a portion, because the problem was caused by her low tone. Good thing, because my almost 9 year old will need them, too.

By Shortstuff on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 08:42 pm:

Hi. I'm new to the boards.

I personally had braces at 9-13(and the oh-so attractive headgear to go along with it), and I hated them, but I'm just thinking how many dental and cosmectic related problems I would have had if my mother never forced me in that orthodontic chair.
Oldest Dd has been out of her braces for 3 years(she's 17 now), but had them for 4 years. She to had headgear. #2 dd(12) is in braces now, and has had them for 2 years come this march. She's looking to get them off in a few months. My youngest dd(8), will be getting them next week, and will be getting headgear in a few months. She is actually looking foward to it. Actually, come to think of it, all 3 were excited when they got their braces.

For the adjustment time question, there is a small period of time(about 3 days) that there is discomfort, but nothing too horrible.

By Cicco68 on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 10:02 am:

Thanks for all of the replies ladies!! dd is so excited and has been waited for a few years to actually be old enough for the braces. She still has a few baby teeth but apparently this dentist is okay with that. I will keep you all updated on the progress!! We have two appointments to go through to explain the process in more detail and then the actual day for braces in 5 April!! I was to get braces when I was little but my parents couldn't afford them, glad to be able to do it for my dd!!

Kelly