Anonymous
09/05/2025 13:50
Subject: Orthodontist wants to wait for tween to stop growing. Is that normal?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I cant say what's normal or not, but my teeth ended up shifting in my teen years and it kind of feels like all the ortho work was pointless! I'm sure it wasn't and I'm still better off, but I can absolutely see why they may want to wait for some things.
Your teeth shifted because you didn't wear a retainer.
Nope, I did wear a retainer. Removeable for the top and a glued one on my bottom front teeth. You don't wear them indefinitely though, and they eventually shifted.
Yes, actually, retainers are supposed to be worn indefinitely. They should also be updated every few years. The teeth will move if a retainer isn’t being worn most nights.
The rec for my kid was 12-18 mons. I don't know any kids that wear them indefinitely.
Mine was told indefinitely.
I’ve only ever heard indefinitely.
Everyone knows it’s indefinitely. But very few people actually wear them indefinitely.
I had braces late - 16 - and wore my retainer religiously until I got married at 28. Then I stopped. And my teeth shifted a bit but nothing terrible.
One of my kids, age 8, is about to do a palate expander, but the ortho said once that is done, straightening can wait until middle school or later because it will just be cosmetic. The palate expander is to correct a very high arched palate that is interfering with speech. And honestly if there were no speech issue we wouldn’t do it. Older kid just needs straightening and ortho said that could be done any time we want, or never.
Another reason we are waiting to do phase 2. One year older, more mature, hopefully she will wear the retainer longer.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 12:58
Subject: Orthodontist wants to wait for tween to stop growing. Is that normal?
This makes total sense and is the feeling of my dentist and ortho well. There are some treatments that need to be done early. But for cosmetic straightening- it is better to wait. Teeth will straighten naturally as the face and jaw grow, requiring less treatment time (or maybe none at all) once braces go on. The right time is up for opinion, but my dentist said generally when puberty had peaked. In my DD’s case, she got braces on at 14 and only needed them about 10 months. My son is 14, and will probably get them on next year. I’m expecting treatment less than a year for him too
Anonymous
09/05/2025 12:55
Subject: Re:Orthodontist wants to wait for tween to stop growing. Is that normal?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:No this is clearly not typical as every middle school is filled with kids in braces and high schools/college are not.
+1 never heard of this, is this a new approach maybe?
The pendulum has totally swung to getting them in braces as young as possible once adult teeth are in. I've asked my ortho about this. Their mouths are more pliable at this point. I asked her why any kid in high school would have braces and she said barring some extreme issue with super late adult teeth (which happens), it's usually the parents just didn't bring them in any earlier.
According to my dad who is a dentist, this change is just about older kids being more resistant to braces. It is less optimal because the teeth move as the kid grows.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 12:52
Subject: Re:Orthodontist wants to wait for tween to stop growing. Is that normal?
Anonymous wrote:My kid is 13, his Dentist has not suggested that he needs braces, his teeth look fine, he has not asked about braces. I am not certain that correcting a less than perfect smile is worth the time, money, and pain that braces require.
This was my mindset too and also was the prevalent attitude when we were growing up (I am Gen X). If your teeth were good enough, no braces. I did end up bringing him in and they did a short course of braces (slight overbite and his bite alignment was off). I do think they correct things that are not cosmetic but could be a long-term issue. I have a slight overbite that should have probably been corrected. The teeth alignment issues affect long-term wear of your teeth, gum recession, etc.
Just another perspective.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 08:39
Subject: Re:Orthodontist wants to wait for tween to stop growing. Is that normal?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:No this is clearly not typical as every middle school is filled with kids in braces and high schools/college are not.
+1 never heard of this, is this a new approach maybe?
The pendulum has totally swung to getting them in braces as young as possible once adult teeth are in. I've asked my ortho about this. Their mouths are more pliable at this point. I asked her why any kid in high school would have braces and she said barring some extreme issue with super late adult teeth (which happens), it's usually the parents just didn't bring them in any earlier.
OP here. That was my understanding too. That's why we started consults early and did the palate expander early. We want straightening done and over with. Not when the poor kid is 20.
This is a reputable ortho and they kind of dominate the region. Not sure how to go about a second opinion. I was just hoping someone had the same situation. It's potentially genetic with jaw growth. I don't have this on my side of the family!
Is calling another orthodontist and going for a consultation not an option? What do you mean you don’t know how to get a second opinion?
Anonymous
09/05/2025 08:36
Subject: Re:Orthodontist wants to wait for tween to stop growing. Is that normal?
My kid is 13, his Dentist has not suggested that he needs braces, his teeth look fine, he has not asked about braces. I am not certain that correcting a less than perfect smile is worth the time, money, and pain that braces require.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 08:28
Subject: Orthodontist wants to wait for tween to stop growing. Is that normal?
I had a permanent retainer behind my bottom teeth that I had removed at about 25. I found it really annoying. I guess it was supposed to stay in forever? I think that's insane.
I stopped wearing my upper retainer before that. I guess I'm lucky that my teeth are still in the same place they were 20 years ago?
I stopped wearing my upper retainer before that. I guess I'm lucky that my teeth are still in the same place they were 20 years ago?
Anonymous
09/05/2025 08:24
Subject: Orthodontist wants to wait for tween to stop growing. Is that normal?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I cant say what's normal or not, but my teeth ended up shifting in my teen years and it kind of feels like all the ortho work was pointless! I'm sure it wasn't and I'm still better off, but I can absolutely see why they may want to wait for some things.
Your teeth shifted because you didn't wear a retainer.
Nope, I did wear a retainer. Removeable for the top and a glued one on my bottom front teeth. You don't wear them indefinitely though, and they eventually shifted.
Yes, actually, retainers are supposed to be worn indefinitely. They should also be updated every few years. The teeth will move if a retainer isn’t being worn most nights.
The rec for my kid was 12-18 mons. I don't know any kids that wear them indefinitely.
Mine was told indefinitely.
I’ve only ever heard indefinitely.
I still wear a retainer at night at 45. When I go a few days without, it feels tighter when I put it in.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 08:13
Subject: Orthodontist wants to wait for tween to stop growing. Is that normal?
I had trouble with my jaw that was correctable with an appliance and without surgery because I was young. I'd get a second opinion.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 08:11
Subject: Orthodontist wants to wait for tween to stop growing. Is that normal?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I cant say what's normal or not, but my teeth ended up shifting in my teen years and it kind of feels like all the ortho work was pointless! I'm sure it wasn't and I'm still better off, but I can absolutely see why they may want to wait for some things.
Your teeth shifted because you didn't wear a retainer.
Nope, I did wear a retainer. Removeable for the top and a glued one on my bottom front teeth. You don't wear them indefinitely though, and they eventually shifted.
Yes, actually, retainers are supposed to be worn indefinitely. They should also be updated every few years. The teeth will move if a retainer isn’t being worn most nights.
The rec for my kid was 12-18 mons. I don't know any kids that wear them indefinitely.
Mine was told indefinitely.
I’ve only ever heard indefinitely.
Everyone knows it’s indefinitely. But very few people actually wear them indefinitely.
I had braces late - 16 - and wore my retainer religiously until I got married at 28. Then I stopped. And my teeth shifted a bit but nothing terrible.
One of my kids, age 8, is about to do a palate expander, but the ortho said once that is done, straightening can wait until middle school or later because it will just be cosmetic. The palate expander is to correct a very high arched palate that is interfering with speech. And honestly if there were no speech issue we wouldn’t do it. Older kid just needs straightening and ortho said that could be done any time we want, or never.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 07:46
Subject: Re:Orthodontist wants to wait for tween to stop growing. Is that normal?
Adult teeth definitely need to be in. And for most kids they can at least start in middle school. Late high school kids it’s pretty rare to see braces.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 07:44
Subject: Orthodontist wants to wait for tween to stop growing. Is that normal?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I cant say what's normal or not, but my teeth ended up shifting in my teen years and it kind of feels like all the ortho work was pointless! I'm sure it wasn't and I'm still better off, but I can absolutely see why they may want to wait for some things.
Your teeth shifted because you didn't wear a retainer.
Nope, I did wear a retainer. Removeable for the top and a glued one on my bottom front teeth. You don't wear them indefinitely though, and they eventually shifted.
Yes, actually, retainers are supposed to be worn indefinitely. They should also be updated every few years. The teeth will move if a retainer isn’t being worn most nights.
The rec for my kid was 12-18 mons. I don't know any kids that wear them indefinitely.
Mine was told indefinitely.
I’ve only ever heard indefinitely.
This. You need to wear retainers as an adult or your teeth will shift. I did Invisalign as an adult and was told this.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 07:09
Subject: Orthodontist wants to wait for tween to stop growing. Is that normal?
OP, it's definitely not typical to wait to 18, as you see middle schoolers and young high schoolers with braces. Not college students, on average.
I'd seek a second opinion. If your current ortho "dominates" the region, travel a little.
I'd seek a second opinion. If your current ortho "dominates" the region, travel a little.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 07:06
Subject: Orthodontist wants to wait for tween to stop growing. Is that normal?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I cant say what's normal or not, but my teeth ended up shifting in my teen years and it kind of feels like all the ortho work was pointless! I'm sure it wasn't and I'm still better off, but I can absolutely see why they may want to wait for some things.
Your teeth shifted because you didn't wear a retainer.
Nope, I did wear a retainer. Removeable for the top and a glued one on my bottom front teeth. You don't wear them indefinitely though, and they eventually shifted.
Yes, actually, retainers are supposed to be worn indefinitely. They should also be updated every few years. The teeth will move if a retainer isn’t being worn most nights.
The rec for my kid was 12-18 mons. I don't know any kids that wear them indefinitely.
Mine was told indefinitely.
I’ve only ever heard indefinitely.
Anonymous
09/05/2025 07:01
Subject: Orthodontist wants to wait for tween to stop growing. Is that normal?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I cant say what's normal or not, but my teeth ended up shifting in my teen years and it kind of feels like all the ortho work was pointless! I'm sure it wasn't and I'm still better off, but I can absolutely see why they may want to wait for some things.
Your teeth shifted because you didn't wear a retainer.
Or...her teeth shifted because her wisdom teeth fully grew in and her jaw continued to grow.