Pelican Parts
Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   Pelican Parts Forums > Miscellaneous and Off Topic Forums > Off Topic Discussions


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Rate Thread
Author
Thread Post New Thread    Reply
MRM MRM is offline
Registered
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Palm Beach, Florida, USA
Posts: 7,713
If needed, braces can be a real life saver. Your teeth are meant to mesh like cogs in a gear. If they don't fit correctly your jaw will grow so that they do mesh, after a fashion, and you get all sorts of problems, including jaw pain. The social benefits of having straight teeth are hard to overstate. Having good teeth - straight and without cavities - is very important for long term health, but it's also expected to be part of the middle class.

It's hard for an outsider to know whether braces are necessary. The best option is to bring them in for a second opinion from someone you trust. That ortho will be able to explain to you the benefits of braces if they're needed, and why they're not if they aren't. Your only option is a second opinion.

__________________
MRM 1994 Carrera
Old 09-25-2015, 06:06 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #21 (permalink)
Registered
 
dennis in se pa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,352
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by GH85Carrera View Post
No doubt asking some orthos if the kid needs braces is like asking a barber if you need a haircut.

No doubt, many are real professionals and will say no if that is accurate but many only see a boat payment or a nice cruise in their future.

Get a second opinion.
Unfortunately this is true of most professionals.
__________________
2001 911 Cabriolet
Old 09-25-2015, 06:53 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #22 (permalink)
least common denominator
 
scottmandue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
Quote:
Originally Posted by aigel View Post
5k is too much for standard braces. 3k is the going rate around here.

It is absolutely worth it imho. A beautiful confident smile... You may not like your Ex but these are still your kids and giving them a healthy and good looking mouth full of teeth should be money well spent.

It warms my heart every time one of my kids smiles at me, I dont mind the expense. Some of them would have had "ok" teeth as well but the before / after is striking. Also note that facial features such as a light under- or overbite are also corrected with good braces, for a nice profile ...
I haven't had to pay for braces but had them as a kid, I was kinda young but remember my mom driving me downtown which seemed like a long drive... I'm pretty sure they sent me to the USC dental school to get it done at a discount.
__________________
Gary Fisher 29er
2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone
1995 Miata Sold
1984 944 Sold
I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo.
Old 09-25-2015, 07:05 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #23 (permalink)
Registered
 
mikester's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: My House
Posts: 5,345
Send a message via AIM to mikester
Quote:
Originally Posted by eddie914 View Post
DO NOT start too early! (of course most ortho's will NEVER EVER EVER EVER tell you that ... they have car payments to make too!)
Ours did.

My oldest is 10. Dentist started telling my wife to get him to an ortho when he turned 10 and my wife having not had braces was getting herself prepared for the bill. I have had braces, twice actually. As a teenager and then again as an adult to make up for my irresponsibility as a teenager.

We are also seeing a lot of kids, at 10/11ish getting braces around us which was making my wife a little manic. I thought it was just absolutely crazy.

So we go to my orthodontist and she immediately says, he's too young. His mouth is still growing bring him back in a year and I'll tell you the same thing.

She basically guaranteed our business...
__________________
-The Mikester

I heart Boobies
Old 09-25-2015, 07:24 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #24 (permalink)
Recreational Mechanic
 
Nickshu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Northern Colorado, USA
Posts: 3,326
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikester View Post
Ours did.

My oldest is 10. Dentist started telling my wife to get him to an ortho when he turned 10 and my wife having not had braces was getting herself prepared for the bill. I have had braces, twice actually. As a teenager and then again as an adult to make up for my irresponsibility as a teenager.

We are also seeing a lot of kids, at 10/11ish getting braces around us which was making my wife a little manic. I thought it was just absolutely crazy.

So we go to my orthodontist and she immediately says, he's too young. His mouth is still growing bring him back in a year and I'll tell you the same thing.

She basically guaranteed our business...
Two phase orthodontics is somewhat controversial even amongst orthodontists. There are however situations where it is indicated to help prevent skeletal discrepancies and/or situations where permanent teeth may end up locked in under primary teeth due to inadequate arch length. Also in situations of pediatric sleep apnea (which my son had), expanding the palate at age 7-9 can drastically improve the child's airway. Poor airway has been linked in many ENT studies to learning disabilities and ADHD.

Around here most orthodontists I work with will split the fee for two-phase ortho so you are really not paying for treatment twice. That may be region specific though.
__________________
P Cars: 2022 Macan GTS / One empty garage space ---- Other cars: 2019 Golf R 6MT / 2021 F-250 Diesel / 2024 Toyota GR86 6MT ---- Gone: 1997 Spec Boxster Race Car, 2020 GT4, 2004 GT3, 2003 Carrera, 1982 911SC, 2005 Lotus Elise and lots of other non-Porsches
PCA National DE Instructor #202106053 / PCA Club Racing / WRL Endurance Racing
Old 09-25-2015, 08:00 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #25 (permalink)
Eva
 
911SauCy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: CT
Posts: 4,593
Garage
My take is it takes the right kind of girl to be wearing braces and still make it a great experience.
__________________
'78 SC Targa ~Brynhild~ Insta: @911saucy

"The car has been the cave wall on which Industrial Man has painted his longings and desires." -Eddie Alterman-
Old 09-25-2015, 10:56 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #26 (permalink)
 
Registered
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 9,753
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by icemann427 View Post
Like Aigel said, 5K is too much no matter what...
That's the average price around here (small town; captivated audience). I wasn't kidding about my good genes; my kids' teeth don't look bad at all. Oldest daughter wasn't "perfect" but they weren't bad at all. Two years into her braces, and I'm not seeing any difference, yet. Doc (same doc) says her molars really aren't moving, and neither are her bottom teeth, so she'll probably be wearing them another 2 years.. Don't know what the deal with that is...but I paid for "the works" up front, so he can't charge me any more down the road.

No, the ex isn't banging him; she married a Border Patrol dude. She just has always loved spending my money (one of the original reasons behind the divorce). Apparently, 6 years later, that fact hasn't changed. I pay a boatload in child support and still end up sending her $2-300 extra each month for "this and that" type crap. This is a woman who has never worked; lived off daddy; married me young (18), lived off me; lived off daddy until she found new man; lives off him, now (and me). Her sister's the same way, except she can't find a man who'll stick with her, lol. Daddy's pushing 70 and will never be able to retire because of how much his daughters (and wife) drain him. I feel bad for the guy.

The bright side is only 1 more kid (with nice teeth) to put braces on after this one, and only 9.5 years left till the child support payments stop lol.
__________________
Guy
'87 944 (first porsche/project car)
Old 09-25-2015, 11:13 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #27 (permalink)
Registered
 
vash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: in my mind.
Posts: 31,855
Garage
Send a message via AIM to vash
i would get a second opinion..if the kids need it, just do it.

i got mine when i was 20. the dentist said straight teeth are all around healthier. easier to brush and floss. my teeth were "okay" except that one tooth that was floating around 3 inches in front of my mouth

cost me $2k. best move ever.

on a side note..sounds like divorce is awful.
__________________
poof! gone
Old 09-25-2015, 02:28 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #28 (permalink)
Did you get the memo?
 
onewhippedpuppy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 32,554
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikester View Post
Ours did.

My oldest is 10. Dentist started telling my wife to get him to an ortho when he turned 10 and my wife having not had braces was getting herself prepared for the bill. I have had braces, twice actually. As a teenager and then again as an adult to make up for my irresponsibility as a teenager.

We are also seeing a lot of kids, at 10/11ish getting braces around us which was making my wife a little manic. I thought it was just absolutely crazy.

So we go to my orthodontist and she immediately says, he's too young. His mouth is still growing bring him back in a year and I'll tell you the same thing.

She basically guaranteed our business...
Same here. Our normal dentist is an old school no-BS dude with a very simple office, he recommended an orthodontist for my son who is similarly practical. I think we had three different visits over several years before the ortho determined that he was ready. The bill for his are about $3k, poor kid is stuck with them for the next year.

I had messed up teeth as a kid, I wish my parents had the money for braces. I still tend to smile with my mouth closed vs a "toothy" smile.
__________________
‘07 Mazda RX8-8
Past: 911T, 911SC, Carrera, 951s, 955, 996s, 987s, 986s, 997s, BMW 5x, C36, C63, XJR, S8, Maserati Coupe, GT500, etc
Old 09-26-2015, 04:07 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #29 (permalink)
Registered
 
recycled sixtie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Edmonton Canada
Posts: 5,950
Garage
[QUOTE=vash;8810419]i would get a second opinion..if the kids need it, just do it.



If you were still married you would do it for your child. Straight teeth are important. We only had one child and straightening out one tooth cost several thousand $$. Thank goodness that is over.
Old 09-26-2015, 04:41 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #30 (permalink)
?
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 30,520
Well, they weren't 5K, and I must confess it wasn't even necessary....why? 'cause I wanted too

Old 09-26-2015, 09:14 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #31 (permalink)
Information Junky
 
island911's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: an island, upper left coast, USA
Posts: 73,189
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nickshu View Post
Wrong. Completely wrong. Esthetics is a primary driver but the long term benefit is balanced occlusal forces and proper airway, tmj and muscle function which results in lifelong fewer long term problems including sleep apnea, tooth fractures, periodontal instability and jaw joint and muscle problems.

Also in kids it's growth modification to guide growth and prevent dentofacial deformities and correct skeletal malocclusions to avoid jaw surgery in many cases.

Do people die from no braces? No. Is their ability to function and lifelong problems reduced? Yes. Added benefit is improved self confidence from esthetic benefits.
Right up there with the arguments for nose-jobs.

And for those with daughters, breast implants will help their self esteem. [/green]
__________________
Everyone you meet knows something you don't. - - - and a whole bunch of crap that is wrong.
Disclaimer: the above was 2¢ worth.
More information is available as my professional opinion, which is provided for an exorbitant fee.
Old 09-26-2015, 09:26 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #32 (permalink)
 
i want one of those...
 
Rufblackbird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: formerly a grass shack in Hawaii, now Peoria, AZ
Posts: 3,030
I had an underbite and a jaw that would click every time I opened wide (for big burgers of course) when I was young. Sister had similar problem, so did my younger brother. Went to see the orthodontist in my mid teens, he said wait a few years as I was still growing. If underbite got worse I'd need surgery to correct it (sis had it done), so I spent the next year or two sleeping face down on my jaw as much as possible. After high school I was deemed ready, and I recall it being just over $3k. I have heard of many people that has had to get braces more than once, so IMHO getting it done later is better, although your daughter may not think so!
__________________
Jeff
'72 911 T Targa widebody VTK #111385 http://www.911vtk.com
Old 09-26-2015, 10:00 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #33 (permalink)
Registered
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 9,753
Garage
[QUOTE=recycled sixtie;8811014]
Quote:
Originally Posted by vash View Post
i would get a second opinion..if the kids need it, just do it.



If you were still married you would do it for your child. Straight teeth are important. We only had one child and straightening out one tooth cost several thousand $$. Thank goodness that is over.
That's where you're wrong. IF we were still married, I'd fight it because none of the kids NEED braces. For all 3 of them, it is nothing more than aesthetic, and their teeth aren't "bad" at all; simply not perfect. However, since we're NOT still married, I have no choice and can do nothing more than ***** while writing the check...

Last time I didn't care too much because I had just restored/flipped a corvette. My profit went into my daughter's mouth. This time, I actually have to dig into the bank account...but I'm deploying soon, so will make about double my annual salary in 6 months, so won't hurt all that much lol.

__________________
Guy
'87 944 (first porsche/project car)
Old 09-26-2015, 03:38 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #34 (permalink)
Reply


 


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:27 PM.


 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2025 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page
 

DTO Garage Plus vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.