You're right! Don't let them pull permanent teeth! One quacko ortho I went to when I was younger wanted to pull a couple of my permanent teeth and my parents couldn't get me out of his office fast enough. They found an ortho who refused to even consider it. Go for a second opinion, if you can.

I had braces when I was 23 for three years. I have the same problem, except only one missing tooth. They didn't pull the tooth. I still have it and it's looking good. Do know though that the glue doesn't like to stick to "baby" teeth. Littles sucker kept coming off until my orthodontist decided not to mess with it anymore.

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain."

We didn't do ortho, but we refered almost all pateints and it all depends on the case. I would say most defintently get several opinons and go with what you are most comfortable with.

I would say to go with holding space for implants. The tough part of that is that it is a commitment and as they prob already told you, she wont be able to get the actual implant until she is done growing. From what I was told by the dentists I worked for, there was a time when it was standard procedure for some permanent teeth to be removed in ortho. Now they are coming to find that depending on how many teeth etc., the removal of teeth can cause a flatter profile and earlier facial aging.

If you go with having the teeth removed you will prob see a faster results and it may cost much less. I would still go with the implants though.

Either way, you absolutely need an orthodontist you are comfortable with and that you trust. They are trained to know the best course of treatment, but you, SD and Dh will all have to be on board if you want good results.

And for goodness sakes, please tell SD to keep those teeth clean!!!
There is nothing worse than to see the kids who refused to brush and floss get their beaces off only to need thousands of dollars of treatment to repair decay on the front of their teeth and severe gingivitis.

It's a lot of extra work, but it is so worth it. I think braces were one of the greatest gifts my parents ever gave me!

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I---
I took the one less traveled by,
and that made all the difference. -Robert Frost-

My teeth were pretty crooked, and I hated them. However, my orthodontist refused to put me in braces or do anything to my mouth structure until I was done growing. But because we waited I only had to wear them for 1.5 years and my teeth have not moved much at all since then. I think it is best this way. Braces were the best gift my parents ever got me, but I'm glad they waited. If your daughter has teeth moved around in her mouth now, and then continues to grow, they'll most likely just get crooked and out of place again later down the road. If her mouth doesn't look too bad now, I'd definitely wait until she's done growing.

*~So sayeth Nymh~*

before. I had braces when I was 14, but had 1 tooth that was a congenital defect where it was about 1/3 of a normal tooth & had no root. When I was 22 I got a cavity & they pulled it. Long story short I got a flipper ( retainer w/ tooth ) & hated it. It made me lisp & you have to take it out to eat.
Mine isn't really noticable but it was recommended that I do an implant. That is too expensive & is a two part process. They said it takes 6 months for it to heal after they put in the screw or the socket,whatever it is. So I live with it.

My oldest SS got braces at 9 because his front teeth were really bad & w/in 6 months they look so awesome. I bitched about the money initially but I am sooo glad we did it. Life is cruel, I never want anyone to tease any of my boys about their appearance.

It was the same for me, I didn't get braces until all permanent teeth were in. Some kids need them sooner though.

When it comes to a pretty smile there are dental issues (crooked or rotated teeth, gaps etc.) and then there are skeletal issues (over bite, under bite, crossbite etc.) Many kids with problems in the later category need early orthodontics to be able to achieve a good end result, even if it means an early set of braces, and then a set later when all permanent teeth are in. Most skeletal issues need to be corrcted when a child is young and still growing.

I have what they call a class II occlusion = an under bite that prob. should have been corrected by an appliance of some kind when I was a kid. It is not noticable to anyone else because my teeth are straight, but I have to live with jaw popping. To correct it now would mean having several permanent teeth removed or extensive jaw correction surgery. Not gonna go there if it can be avoided.

Your SD may not need two sets, as she is 12 and they may be able to complete with one phase. Then add the implant later. Again, they are expensive.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I---
I took the one less traveled by,
and that made all the difference. -Robert Frost-