Do you think a child that is 8 almost 9 years old is to young to have braces?

Question

The Orthodontist says that I need to have all 4 of her baby K9's extracted and then braces put on to the front 4 top and bottom teeth that would be attatched to a device that will push the sides out to create more room... I mean it makes sense but she still has growing to do and I am skeptical because we are Military and the surrounding community depends on Military business. My mother and I agree, we do not know of any children having braces that young... Does this make sense?

Answer 1

My daughter got her braces when she was 9. The dentist advised us to go to the orthodontist when she was 7.  He watched her for two years to see how to proceed.  They (Orthodontist and Dentist) called them "Early Braces".  The reason they did them so early (according to my orthodontist) was so to make her mouth ready for her adult teeth so that her adult teeth wouldn't have to be pulled to keep her teeth straight.  My daughter also had her K9s extracted.  There was not going to be enough room for her permanent ones to come in straight.  The braces were put on, and a piece added to keep the spot open for her adult teeth.  The good news is that her braces came off at 13 (yes 4 years when all the other girls were just getting theirs!  She is pretty happy to be done with them.  If you really are not sure, take her to a different orthodontist (they shouldn't charge for the consultation) to make sure they would prescribe the same treatment.

Answer 2

Can you get a second opinion?

Answer 3

Yeah, it's fine. A few of my friends had braces at that age.

Answer 4

Well, i'm sure the orthodontist knows what is right for her. I know it seems young for braces. Especially that they have to pull four teeth. But don't worry. I am sure everything will be alright in the end and worth it. I actually had to get braces at the age seven to prevent major problems.Good luck with everything.

Answer 5

That does seem a bit young.  I too would get a second opinion.  If you can't, I would wait another year.  I know 10 and 11 year olds with braces.  Find out the consequences or risks of waiting another year or two.

Answer 6

My daughter had braces when she was eight because she had a severe under-bite.  Straightening her baby teeth allowed the adult teeth to erupt normally.

I would be suspicious about removing her K9's.  Those teeth are there for a reason.  Some of my military friends tell me that military dentists often remove teeth to make room because it's cheaper than years of orthodontic care.  I would therefore seek a second opinion about removing any teeth.

Answer 7

My daughter was nine years old when she had her brace fitted. She was lucky she did not need to have any teeth removed. But she had to have her bottom jaw moved forward and her top teeth pushed out. It took about 18 month from start to finish, but she now has a lovely set of teeth, and she is very glad that she had them done.

Answer 8

My daughter is 8. She has 4 on top and 4 on bottom.

They just put them on last month, and it is considered "Phase 1" - these are her only permanent teeth. There is a possibility she will not need a phase 2 for the rest of her teeth.

In our school system, there is a child in kindergarten who has braces, it is unusual but not unheard of.

Answer 9

I have friends who have gotten braces that young and they ended up getting them again. I would definately ask someone else if you can because there doesnt seem to be any need for anyone to get braces that young, unless she is in some kind of pain.

Answer 10

well if the teeth have to be pulled then without the braces the other teeth will crowd and there wont be room for the new ones.

if you are unsure, see another dentist for a second opinion.  It seems a bit young for care and dealing with them  

Answer 11

My brother is a pediatric dentist and would never recommend a child of that age to get braces.  The mouth at that age has not finished growing and there is no way the Orthodontist can know what your child's mouth will need at full growth.  Obviously your regular dentist will get a "kickback" from the Orthodontist if you sign papers for your child to get braces.  That means that the Orthodontist pays the dentist for referring patients for work not really necessary.   I'd find another dentist and tell the Orthodontist your children will be back after their 12th birthdays.

Answer 12

i think its okay

Answer 13

Yes even though it is very young, it does make sense. Because teeth move around easier when kids are young. I know a little girl in kinder garden with braces. don't worry!

Answer 14

no i got mine when i was 7  

Answer 15

no, its not too young.  i think it might be better. i got braces at 12, which is the norm.  but i hated being a teenager with braces.  you could always get a second opinion.

i am not a dentist or even a mother, but wouldn't it make more sense to wait until her permanent teeth grow in, then get the braces?  what if the new teeth need braces too. if she were 8 and all her teeth were in, i think it would be better.

Answer 16

I don't think its a bad idea to have braces for a nine yr old. I think the sooner you put them on, the better chance for him/her to get them off faster. It wasn't uncommon for a kid in my school to have braces at a young age, the mass majority of those kids had braces, or were just getting them on. But as for the extraction part, you might want to get a second oppinion on that. I had 8 teeth that were extracted that didn't need to be removed at all. At the same time that may or might not always be the case.

Answer 17

That seems very, very young for braces. I think you need to find another orthodontist and get a second opinion. See if you can wait until her baby teeth all come out on their own.

Answer 18

The American Dental Association recommends children have an orthodontic screening by age 7. Even though all their adult teeth have not come in yet it helps give dentists and parents an idea of what may need to be done and a chance to correct it sooner. Your daughter getting these braces now may prevent her from needing full braces when she is a teenager, which are very expensive. My dentist thought I needed  "Front" braces when I was 10 but he decided to wait and see what happened as I got older. Well, when I was a junior in high school I had a huge gap in my front teeth and the rest were all crooked, and I needed full braces for 2 years. Luckily I got them off 1 week before prom. If you dentist is recommending them now I would definitely do it. It very well could save you thousands of dollars and your daughter from having full braces down the road.

Answer 19

I got mine when I was 9. The younger you are, the less time you will have to wear them. I only had them on the front 4 top and bottom. The reason for them pushing the sides out is to make her jaw bigger. My friend had to do that. Its this thing they put in the roof of her mouth and every month she has a "key" type thing and she turns it once. For the first couple times, have motrin or tylonal in the house because it might give her soreness or even headaches, but by the third month or so she should be used to it and it won't hurt her nearly as bad.

Answer 20

It'll be nicer for her so she won't have to have them in high school!!