Yikes! I had braces put on when I was in 5th grade and got them off (FINALLY) when I was in 9th grade! And they hurt the entire time...seems like the archwire would finally get to where it was comfortable and it would be time to get a new one:( ! It's amazing that it was so long ago, but when you mention it, I can TOTALLY remember EXACTLY how bad it hurt, LOL:p . In fact, I told my ortho once to just pull all my teeth out; I'd rather have false teeth, rofl. Geeze, what a drama queen I was:rolleyes:
and my mom always said "some day, you'll thank me for this", to which I always answered "I will NEVER thank you for torturing me":shocked7q

Funny thing.....I do thank her all the time for it now, haha
It will all be worth it; just think how great you'll look. At least it's not 4 or 5 years of it:D

My ortho is totally AMAZING!! I swear, that man rocks!! Since it's my freakin THIRD time having braces, I wanted to go the cheapest route possible (even though the first 2 times I didn't pay for ... my parents paid). But still when it comes out of your own pocket, you feel it lolol :D

So we agreed on upper and bottom braces in the standard stainless steel and the price INCLUDED the permaments (the flexi-wire that they cement to the back of your teeth to ensure that they never shift -- they do this the day they remove the braces). He gave me a GREAT price of only $4,200 when some other places wanted to charge me well over $6,000 and that was not including the 2 permanents (which can run anywhere from $350 to $600 each ... and you need 2 of them)!! :eek: :eek:

So anyway, the day they were going to put the braces, my ortho Dr. Kolin came over to evaluate me. Then another ortho started to put them on. When he finished and I went to look in a mirror ... I saw the clear ceramic braces instead of the metal ones and I freaked out (because they are SOOOO much more money -- like $350 A PIECE each, which would be in addition to the price of $4,200!!!!) So imagine adding $350 PER TOOTH onto a bill of $4,200. Needless to say, I almost sh*t my pants lololol :D :D

I told the ortho that he put the wrong braces on and he said no, Dr. Kolin said to give them to you free of charge. So I went into Dr. Kolin's office and asked him why he gave me the clear ceramic ones for free. He said he gave them to me for free because I'm not a child ... I'm a young adult working in a professional office and he didn't want me to have a mouth full of metal. He also said he feels bad that this is my third time so he thought he'd do something to help cheer me up. I gave him the biggest hug ever and thanked him!! I also sent a big order of Italian cookies and pastries, plus a nice card to him and his staff for doing that for me!

If anyone who lives in Brooklyn or close to Brooklyn needs braces, PM me and I'll give you my ortho's info. Trust me, this guy is AMAZING and so caring!!! :thumbup:

Invisalign is good for certian types of correction but not all. It has many limitations. You cant draw teeth down or push teeth up with Invisalign. You also can't correct overbites or underbites with it.

I looked into it through my ortho for my daughter. He uses it on a limited number of patients because he can't get full correction from the system. I wanted to use it with Kate because Kate plays tuba and having a mouth full of metal would be a bit of a bummer for her... but it turns out kids get used to them in a matter of weeks and are back on their instruments in no time!

Another problem with Invisalign is that it must be removed to eat and drink. Thus creating mas oppertunities for loss! And at a couple hundred bucks a pop for replacement.... well lets just say that a vast majority of kids would be jacking up the cost of their ortho treatment! Yikes!

I was 100% for using it with Kate untill I talked to my Ortho. I was actually quite bummed that it was not going to be an option for her... but once we talked about it I really understood why it wouldn't work for most types of situations that braces are ment to fix.

I wish it would... he he he they look much nicer... lol

But then again.... I do think the braces make me look younger! lolololololol:p



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You are so right. I talked with my Ortho about getting them for Jim. Jim's bottom teeth are PERFECT but his top need some fixing. HIs parents couldn't afford braces when he was a kid; so we figure now's the time to do it! :) Jim already went for his consultation and Invisalign won't work for him. Bummer! :rolleyes: My ortho also told me that they don't work as quickly as standard braces. So I'm glad that's what we're both getting.

Wow, I guess I did not fall into that bad a category. I used Invisalign and my teeth are perfect now. I was about 18 and I did not lose them ever. But even if you lose one, you change them every 2 weeks. Yes, it did cost more, but hurt a lot less from what you are complaining about. (You did start this thread to whine, yes?)

If you feel your child's "overbite" or "underbite" is too yucky to correct, then go with the braces. And if your child is the careless type and might lose the set, stay with the braces.
Braces may make you look younger, but I feel 5th graders should be wearing them. Not moms .... How old is your daughter?

I wore the Invisalign and was fully corrected in 12 months ... Now I only use the last set at night (same as a retainer) ... but as I said, my teeth were not in such bad shape. And my parents were willing to spend the money.

Yes, they have to be removed to eat ... but then you are not limited to certain foods only ... and brushing your teeth is MUCH easier.

Hope this helped clarify things for you. Oh, and i had less cavities when it was finished. Braces can create more cavities due the trouble brushing your teeth properly.

Are you serious??? I don't even know where to begin???

For starters... I am not the one who decided who should be wearing braces, the orthodontist is. He went to school, he got the degree, so he gets to make that call. I don't consider an overbite to be "Yucky" its just a form of malocclusion, and one of the many issues that orthodontic treatment may address.

I am sure that at 18 years of age you were very mature, I would hope so! I don't expect a fifth grader to be on that level, nor do I expect my daughter. She is extremely mature but I am not blind to the fact that she is still a child at 11. I hope she remains one.




And for everyone else

I got that bite plate put in.... ugh! Now I have something to whine about! lol. Just ask Shana, Janell or Corinne! I have a lisp to end all lisps and I can't chew a thing! lololol Its not cool! lol

They are drawing my back molars out and elongating them in all four quadrants, tilting the front teeth back, while correcting the slight overbite. Its kinda painful but its a process and this MOM doesn't mind...

My mother couldn't afford it when I was younger. Count your blessings.

Rock on babe lol :D

OMG I have a LISP too!! :eek: They had to attach a back brace to my bottom teeth because half of them are completely and perferctly straight (from having braces twice already lolol) so they want to make sure the straight side won't shift while the other side is moving into the correct position. I sound like a lisping nut job lolol :D

Same thing for my hubby. His parents couldn't afford braces when he was a kid. So we're getting them for him now.

awww. He will look 13 with braces on!!! He has such a baby face to begin with!!!

You have to post a picture of you with those clear brackets... I'm pretty jealous!

The top row looked great, but now that the bottom brackets are in its like metal over kill! I have the biggest tin grin you've ever seen! Between that and my crooked smile I look so weird! lol

All I'm missing is the Head gear and a booger... LMAO!:D

TIN GRIN!!!! hahahahaha I love it!!! :D :D You look so cute with braces on!!