I've never heard of a nine year old going to the Orthodontist. Believe it or not though, Christian has some friends from his class that already HAVE braces. Eight and nine year olds? Whatever happened to getting braces in Jr. High or high school? Do the kids in the second and third grades have to get them all over again when they're older and don't have...oh I don't know...baby teeth?!
We absolutely ADORE our family Dentist and only because we trust him wholeheartedly, did we go ahead and make the appointment.
When we arrived, Christian was taken back for x-rays and pictures. About a half an hour later, I was called back to discuss the results. Christian sat in the dental chair as I came in with the three younger ones behind me. (That's always fun.)
The Orthodontist explained that he wouldn't recommend putting braces on at this point, but he DID want Christian to get a retainer for his top teeth to work on an overbite. That seemed pretty reasonable. The Orthodontist was very likable and he treated Christian really well. Overall, I was actually feeling alright about the situation. That's when he left and his assistant stepped in. She calmly explained how from start to finish, the RETAINER and check ups would run around 1,300 dollars. ugh. A hundred years ago when I had braces, I think the entire process from eighth grade through my senior year of high school was around 2,000 dollars...total.
I don't want to sound old, but wow. Like I said before, I've never heard of a nine year old going to the Orthodontist...but here we go.