Orthodontist wants to take braces off, teeth are not straight

[Anonymous]

Ds is 13. He has had braces for 14 months now. His teeth had a space in the middle front and bottom teeth were not perfect, Slight crowding. His teeth were not too bad. We were told he would need braces 15-18 months.

Anyway, long story short, ds has had some issues with braces. He bites pens and knocks brackets off at times. This happens sometimes once a month. Sometimes not at all for a few months. Other times it can be once every few weeks. I admit he is a PITA for the orthodontist.

Last appt his orthodontist said that he can get his braces off in a month. Problem is that his front teeth are not straight. One is out further than the other and it even looks quite a bit longer ever since the last tightening. His top teeth almost look worse than when he started. He is not ready to get them taken off.

His teeth are still shifting. Every time he gets a tightening he is still in pain.

Question, how do I proceed? I will tell the ortho I don't think he is ready to have them off? How do I approach this with the ortho.

[Anonymous]

Point out what you wrote here and then ask questions. You can do it in a non threatening, inquisitive manner:
"So when I look at Larlo's teeth, I can see that this tooth is still sticking out (point to it) and these teeth aren't straight (point to them). Can you explain why you think the braces are ready to come off next month? I thought the teeth would be straight before they came off."

Then sit and listen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Point out what you wrote here and then ask questions. You can do it in a non threatening, inquisitive manner:
"So when I look at Larlo's teeth, I can see that this tooth is still sticking out (point to it) and these teeth aren't straight (point to them). Can you explain why you think the braces are ready to come off next month? I thought the teeth would be straight before they came off."

Then sit and listen.

That sounds good but what of the ortho insists on removing them?

[Anonymous]

What if ( not what of)

[Anonymous]

I have had braces twice, once in HS and once at 26 because I didn't wear my retainers. I agree that teeth should be straight. That said, you usually pay a flat fee for braces as opposed to paying every visit and you kid is more than a pain in the ass for this orthodontist, he is costing him money. From age 13-16 I broke my braces exactly once, so I think it is possible and reasonable for a 14yr old to take responsibility for the expensive equipment in his mouth.

If the Dr still insists on taking them off, ask bluntly of it is because your son is a non-cooperative patient and then ask what you can so to have the treatment completed. It may cost you more money. You will need to sit down with you son and have him decide what he wants to do.

I didn't wear my retainers to protect my parents investment and I decided to pay for a second round of braces myself once I was working. Would you let him make that choice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Point out what you wrote here and then ask questions. You can do it in a non threatening, inquisitive manner:
"So when I look at Larlo's teeth, I can see that this tooth is still sticking out (point to it) and these teeth aren't straight (point to them). Can you explain why you think the braces are ready to come off next month? I thought the teeth would be straight before they came off."

Then sit and listen.

That sounds good but what of the ortho insists on removing them?

I would say to the ortho: "So it's your professional opinion and practice to remove braces when the teeth are not yet straight. Did I get that right?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Point out what you wrote here and then ask questions. You can do it in a non threatening, inquisitive manner:
"So when I look at Larlo's teeth, I can see that this tooth is still sticking out (point to it) and these teeth aren't straight (point to them). Can you explain why you think the braces are ready to come off next month? I thought the teeth would be straight before they came off."

Then sit and listen.

That sounds good but what of the ortho insists on removing them?

I would say to the ortho: "So it's your professional opinion and practice to remove braces when the teeth are not yet straight. Did I get that right?"

Lol, don't know if I can say that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have had braces twice, once in HS and once at 26 because I didn't wear my retainers. I agree that teeth should be straight. That said, you usually pay a flat fee for braces as opposed to paying every visit and you kid is more than a pain in the ass for this orthodontist, he is costing him money. From age 13-16 I broke my braces exactly once, so I think it is possible and reasonable for a 14yr old to take responsibility for the expensive equipment in his mouth.

If the Dr still insists on taking them off, ask bluntly of it is because your son is a non-cooperative patient and then ask what you can so to have the treatment completed. It may cost you more money. You will need to sit down with you son and have him decide what he wants to do.

I didn't wear my retainers to protect my parents investment and I decided to pay for a second round of braces myself once I was working. Would you let him make that choice?

I know he is a PITA. If I knew this would happen, I never would have got him braces. But they are on and paid for now. I don't want him to have to do this again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Point out what you wrote here and then ask questions. You can do it in a non threatening, inquisitive manner:
"So when I look at Larlo's teeth, I can see that this tooth is still sticking out (point to it) and these teeth aren't straight (point to them). Can you explain why you think the braces are ready to come off next month? I thought the teeth would be straight before they came off."

Then sit and listen.

That sounds good but what of the ortho insists on removing them?

I would say to the ortho: "So it's your professional opinion and practice to remove braces when the teeth are not yet straight. Did I get that right?"

Do you find that aggressive stance a good way to get people to do what you want?

The first person's language is better.

As for the breakage: is your son's behavior the problem, or is he just unlucky? Mine broke all the time, too, and was a 100% compliant patient. I wore them from 40-44. I broke north of 10 wires and a few brackets along the way. That's just who I am and my jaw is where all the tension in my life shows up. Yes, this slowed down treatment by over a year, but my orthodontist dealt with it. After 4 years in braces, I got them off and wore out my retainer quicker than usual. I now sleep in a retainer/mouth guard on top (retainer on the bottom) and am comfortable and happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have had braces twice, once in HS and once at 26 because I didn't wear my retainers. I agree that teeth should be straight. That said, you usually pay a flat fee for braces as opposed to paying every visit and you kid is more than a pain in the ass for this orthodontist, he is costing him money. From age 13-16 I broke my braces exactly once, so I think it is possible and reasonable for a 14yr old to take responsibility for the expensive equipment in his mouth.

If the Dr still insists on taking them off, ask bluntly of it is because your son is a non-cooperative patient and then ask what you can so to have the treatment completed. It may cost you more money. You will need to sit down with you son and have him decide what he wants to do.

I didn't wear my retainers to protect my parents investment and I decided to pay for a second round of braces myself once I was working. Would you let him make that choice?

I know he is a PITA. If I knew this would happen, I never would have got him braces. But they are on and paid for now. I don't want him to have to do this again.

It may not be your choice, if he is non-compliant.

[Anonymous]

I'm 46. My orthodontist took them off too early when I was younger and I have major bite issues now. Can you get a second opinion from another ortho before he gets them off?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 46. My orthodontist took them off too early when I was younger and I have major bite issues now. Can you get a second opinion from another ortho before he gets them off?

OP here, that's what I was thinking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm 46. My orthodontist took them off too early when I was younger and I have major bite issues now. Can you get a second opinion from another ortho before he gets them off?

OP here, that's what I was thinking.

OP - I think that is a great idea! Even if you have to pay for it. I am the one who had her bite fixed in her 40s.

To the 46 year old poster - I fixed my bite in middle age. It's not perfect, since I am not perfect, and my teeth had a fair amount of uneven wear and tear, but I have absolutely no regrets about the 4 years in train tracks. My face is prettier (subtle, but still), my smile is lovely. I have some composite on two of my teeth to make them bigger (not a veneer, since I don't like that look. just some of the stuff they use to fix chips).

[Anonymous]

I work in an Ortho office and sorry to say non-compliant patients do not have a choice, An ortho can consider him non compliant and actually refuse to do anymore work.
Your son is not 4 he should be more thankful and take care of his teeth.

[Anonymous]

OP - First of all have you had a straight talk with your son about the cash investment made in his braces and that you are not at all pleased with his behavior. I would, in fact, tell DS that I expect him to apologize to the orthodontist for his carelessness and see if that might weigh in favor of his continuing to care for him. You might ask him how long it would take to get the top two teeth in alignment and then get a retainer to hold them in place? And, what would an additional cost be as you realize your son has inadvertently taken up more of his time than reasonably expected. DS can also reasonably be expected to contribute to the additional cost for his dental care through some nice summer jobs at home to learn the principal of he who plays is going to pay AND to respect now the money his parents are putting out for him.