Orthodontics for child with autism

[Anonymous]

Hi all! Braces came up at a recent appointment with the dentist. My son is 9yo with autism and ADHD. He has improved with the dentist, but orthodontics will likely be a bridge too far for him. For any of you who have dealt with this, how can you make your child more comfortable during and after the process? Are there orthodontists who work with SN kids? I'm in DC but willing to go where I need to. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

My two ASD kids are doing just fine at Dr Shefferman. He’s in DC near the World Bank.

[Anonymous]

You might go to Ensor Lewis and Johnson which is a special needs dentistry practice and has an orthodontist. Or see Linda Hallman who runs Fit Bite Orthodontics. She is an orthodontist who is a cut above---has a Phd in anatomy also and consults at Childrens.

[Anonymous]

Do you have to do it now? I know there is a push for treatment earlier than when we were kids, but most of the kids I know who had them young had them again later (though for a shorter period).

We waited for my older son until he was almost 13 just because he had a lot of food issues (otherwise neurotypical). As far as I can tell it hasn't created any problems in his treatment. They have been talking about braces for my younger son (with an variety of SN) since he was 10 (now 12). I told them we aren't doing it until COVID is less of an issue and they were like "Yeah, that's probably smart."

I just see my kids having so many more coping strategies as young teens than as kids. If you can wait, it might not be a bad option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have to do it now? I know there is a push for treatment earlier than when we were kids, but most of the kids I know who had them young had them again later (though for a shorter period).

We waited for my older son until he was almost 13 just because he had a lot of food issues (otherwise neurotypical). As far as I can tell it hasn't created any problems in his treatment. They have been talking about braces for my younger son (with an variety of SN) since he was 10 (now 12). I told them we aren't doing it until COVID is less of an issue and they were like "Yeah, that's probably smart."

I just see my kids having so many more coping strategies as young teens than as kids. If you can wait, it might not be a bad option.

Also, I just wanted to add: waiting until your kid has really good oral hygiene is better. Even better if they are independent with it. If regular and thorough brushing is something your child struggles with, you really should get that under control first. (Another reason I'm glad we waited for my older son. He wasn't oppositional about brushing when he was younger, but would have needed a lot of reminders to bring it up to a good standard for braces).

[Anonymous]

My kid has ADHD/ASD/Anxiety. He got braces at 9. We went to Burk and Finn. They were great. But we also worked with his therapist to talk about what it was going to be like. And he psych gave me a PRN script for Clonazepam to give him prior to the appts. I gave him the Clonazepam for the first few appts and then knew what to expect and he didn’t need it any more.

[Anonymous]

Please don't advise people to wait unless you have a degree on the field. Several issues become more difficult, expensive or painful to treat the older a child becomes.

[Anonymous]

My son has autism and bipolar, and is getting orthodontics done at Howard University’s pediatric dental clinic. So far we’re on phase one - which is a palate expander for him - and it’s going fine. My son is 11, so just a bit older, but the dentists have been great with him since we started there over a year ago for major cavities and such (caused by issues unrelated to his SN).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid has ADHD/ASD/Anxiety. He got braces at 9. We went to Burk and Finn. They were great. But we also worked with his therapist to talk about what it was going to be like. And he psych gave me a PRN script for Clonazepam to give him prior to the appts. I gave him the Clonazepam for the first few appts and then knew what to expect and he didn’t need it any more.

I know this is an old thread but I was hoping someone might have experience with short term medication to get through this type of appointment. My child has extreme issues at the dentist and will be starting orthodontics soon and I’m terrified. I have no idea how we will get through all these appointments. We are in MOCO so specific practices are appreciated too for a second opinion

[Anonymous]

Like a PP, I was going to suggest Dr Linda Hallman at her practice, FitBite.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Gerlein is the best! He freely offers his own son has autism and so he get it. His office is wonderful.

[Anonymous]

In hindsight, I think I would have just waited for "phase 2" for a one and done situation. Child did pretty ok with braces but not doing well with retainers and we tried them all (plastic with wire, the clear plastic type and the bonding behind teeth. Spent a lot of extra money and time.... but teeth are crooked again! Waiting for baby teeth to fall out for phase 2, but now I wonder if we should wait til child is older (and hopefully more responsible).

[Anonymous]

I also recommend Dr. Linda Hallman. We waited until my child turned 14 to avoid several phases. There is no way he could have dealt with orthodontics before that age. Also he still had 4 baby teeth at 14. Those had to be extracted. Child started with palate expander 4 months ago (it worked perfectly since he is physically so immature) and got braces 1 month ago. Expander will stay until the one year mark and braces for 2 years. Treatment will very likely end with a jaw surgery. Btw she works with a great jaw surgeon in Childrens/Washington Hospital Center. We are very happy with her office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dr. Gerlein is the best! He freely offers his own son has autism and so he get it. His office is wonderful.

+1

[Anonymous]

Loved Linda Hallman during our consultation and also went to Dr. O in the same building. Very similar approaches, except Dr. O (Chevy Chase Braces) had the brilliant idea of staring with early Invisalign. We are just 4 months into the process and it’s working great with our hypersensitive ASD DD. Highly recommend either one.