Why You Should Get a Second Opinion on Your Child’s Orthodontics
Looking Into Orthodontics? Get a Second Opinion
Is your child’s dentist recommending orthodontics? Getting a second opinion can help parents and children make the right decision for their family as far as treatment goes, desired results, and much more. Not every dentist uses the same methods, and it is important that you seek a second opinion before moving forward with such a major commitment. Keep reading to learn more about orthodontics, why a second opinion is important, and other treatment methods that are available for you and your child.
What is Orthodontics?
An orthodontist is a dental professional who has pursued advanced specialized training to become an expert in diagnosing and treating irregularities of the teeth and jaws. Their role is crucial in helping individuals achieve better oral health through orthodontic treatment. Expanding upon their foundational dental knowledge, orthodontists engage in additional education and training, concentrating exclusively on the field of orthodontic care. This specialized training allows them to correct misaligned teeth and jaws, improving a person’s smile and their bite for healthy, effective function.
Orthodontics for children includes:
- Braces
- Retainers
- Aligners
- Archwires
- Elastics
- Mouthguards
- Surgery
Signs your child may need orthodontics and a second opinion include:
- Losing baby teeth too early or too late
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Mouth breathing
- Jaw clicking
- Jaw locking
- Cheek biting
- Face shape imbalance
Why Should I Get a Second Opinion?
If your child has any of the above symptoms and it has been recommended to you that you need to see an orthodontist, you may be wondering why you need a second opinion.
Moving forward with orthodontics can be a large undertaking for both parents and children. There are many downsides to orthodontics, including:
- Physical discomfort, for months to years on end
- Dietary limitations that are difficult for children
- Maintenance effort, cost, and upkeep
- Long-term risks such as tooth discoloration
- Insecurity about the visible appearance of braces
If you and your child are not ready to sign up for years of orthodontist appointments, pain, dietary restrictions, maintenance, possible risks, and more, there are other options available that you can explore by seeking a second opinion.
Saving Time and Money
Much like physicians in any other specialty field, dentists have different treatment methods, backgrounds, training, education, and technology available to them. If you get a second opinion from a different dentist, you may be saving yourself plenty of time and money by going a different route. You may also find that you like another provider’s treatment method better, whether that be for the length of time the commitment will be or the payment plan they are able to develop for you.
Alternatively, you may find that the dental professionals agree with each other on your child’s treatment method, leaving you feeling fully satisfied that you are on the right course with your child’s dental health. Either way, you can rest assured that getting a second opinion means that you have explored all options available to you and can make an informed decision on your child’s health.
Lifestyle Requirements
Another reason you should seek a second opinion on your child’s orthodontic care is because of your lifestyle requirements. Moving forward with major orthodontics means you will be in and out of dental appointments quite frequently with your child.
Appointments with your orthodontist typically happen every month. Your child’s orthodontist will likely replace elastics, tighten wires, and monitor your progress. You may need to see your doctor more often if something happens to your child’s braces, they are experiencing major discomfort, or if your child is on the younger side.
Budget
Orthodontics can be very expensive. Even if you have dental insurance, you may have to pay a large amount for your child’s orthodontics. Pricing varies by dentists, as do their payment plans and how they bill their services.
After children get their orthodontics removed, it is important for them to maintain their new smile. This is typically done by wearing retainers, which can be difficult for children to remember to do. This may cause their teeth to move back, which means all of your time, money, and effort have been wasted. By seeking a second opinion for a better treatment method that suits your child, you can likely bypass all of this.
If you are watching your budget and braces or other orthodontics seem to be too expensive right now, it is important to seek a second opinion. You may find another treatment method that is more cost-friendly to you, a better payment plan, or a dentist who is better covered by your insurance.
Desired Results
What are your child’s desired results? Some of the reasons your child may be getting orthodontics in the first place include:
- Crowding of the teeth
- Fixing bite issues – overbite, underbite, crossbite, etc.
- Closing gaps in the teeth
- Improving jaw pain and TMJ issues
- Appearance
Some of these issues can be resolved through other treatment methods aside from orthodontics. Depending on the desired results you are looking for, the time frame you are willing to commit to, and your child’s lifestyle, there may be something different and better out there for you that doesn’t require so much time and money.
What Treatment is Available Instead?
Wondering what is available out there instead of major orthodontics for your child? There are many other treatment methods available, such as oral appliances, cosmetic dentistry, and hidden braces. It is important for you to seek a second opinion on your orthodontic recommendation before moving forward, because one of these alternative methods may suit you and your child better long-term.
Oral Appliance
There are many benefits to choosing an oral appliance over traditional braces for your child. These include:
- Generally, this method is much more comfortable for children
- Much less invasive than braces
- Children can remove their oral appliance to be able to eat the food they enjoy
- They are generally worn during sleep, which means your child may not have to wear it to school if they are self-conscious of their appearance with it on
- It will help your child if they are a mouth-breather or a snorer
- It will help position their jaw more forward if they are experiencing sleep issues
- It may help their overall mood, energy levels, and focus levels during the day if they are a snorer
Compared to braces, oral appliances have fewer downsides. They include an initial adjustment period where your child will need to learn how to use, clean, and take care of their appliance. They may also experience an initial period of minimal discomfort.
Cosmetic Dentistry
If your child is between the ages of 16 and 18, cosmetic dentistry can be an option for you. It is important to wait until your child is between these ages because their face, teeth, and jaws are still developing.
If your child is unhappy with their smile and the goal is purely cosmetic for confidence-boosting purposes, waiting until they are 16-18 can give them better long-term results without the hassle of braces.
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), a veneer is a “thin piece of porcelain used to re-create the natural look of teeth, while also providing strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel.” They are custom-made to the contour of your teeth and are bonded to the tooth’s original enamel during a series of in-office procedures.
Veneers are a less intrusive option than crowns or braces. According to the British Dental Health Foundation, veneers can be used to close gaps or correct small misalignments. Patients also choose veneers as a cosmetic solution to enhance the brightness of their teeth and to straighten their smile, correcting issues like discoloration, fractures, or chips.
Hidden Braces
If your child needs braces but doesn’t like how they look, there are many hidden options available. Depending on the dentist or orthodontist you choose, many providers have many different options available to them. Generally, this method takes a little longer to achieve your desired results. It may also be more expensive than other methods. However, it may be worth it for someone who does not like the look of traditional braces and wants to try an alternative method.
Some options for hidden braces include:
- Custom-made brackets that are placed on the inside of the teeth, rather than on the outside
- Invisalign
- Permanent retainer wires that are attached to the inside of the teeth
Hidden braces are generally a great option for teenagers or professionals who do not want to draw extra attention to their mouth. There are some downsides to hidden braces, such as:
- A lisp that may be more prominent than other types of braces
- Discomfort
- May take longer to achieve results than regular braces
- May cost more than regular braces
How Do I Get a Second Opinion?
The first step to getting a second opinion is looking for other orthodontists in your area. Your child’s dentist will likely recommend someone to you, but you do not have to choose them for your child’s care.
If you are looking for a second opinion on your child’s orthodontic recommendation and live in the Los Angeles area, Gorman Health and Wellness can help.
Braces can straighten teeth, but not for a lifetime. But if the jaws didn’t develop ideally, you may want to explore options that support proper growth and stable space—before committing to a plan that only temporarily rearranges teeth.
Dr. Gorman focuses on upper and lower palate expansion to widen the arches and create more room for:
- Proper tongue posture
- Nasal breathing support
- Healthier spacing for teeth
Dr. Gorman’s approach is non-surgical and designed to address skeletal structure—rather than relying on extraction and temporary repositioning methods (braces and headgear).
Orthodontic Second Opinion with Gorman Health and Wellness
Dr. Gorman is part of the breathing wellness movement, which aims to increase awareness and improve treatment for sleep-related airway conditions such as sleep apnea. He has partnered with organizations focused on collaborating with dentists to apply the sciences of Craniofacial Epigenetics (the study of cranial modifications caused by gene expression, rather than genetic code alteration) and Pneumopedics® (the practical application of oral appliance therapy and non-surgical airway remodeling) to the management of sleep apnea.
Together, the application of these sciences allows for the underlying causes of airway obstruction to be treated in 98% of cases, resulting in a high success rate among sleep apnea patients. For every sleep apnea case at our practice, Dr. Gorman will gather patient data and determine the patient’s specific needs based on home sleep test results, dental impressions, CT scans, and images. Our state-of-the-art technology, paired with Dr. Gorman’s experience in sleep disorders, enables him to develop the most effective treatment plan for each patient’s case, yielding improved daytime and nighttime breathing.
“I have been helping people suffering from Sleep Apnea with a non-invasive, clinically approved treatment method. This method has allowed my patients to sleep with far fewer events per hour, allowing them to get rid of their CPAP and BiPAP machines. Imagine not having to use one of those machines, getting back a much greater quality of life along with the benefits of being able to breathe better.” – Dr. Gorman.
For more information on Dr. Gorman and getting a second opinion on your child’s orthotintic treatment plan, contact us today.
