As a family with 4 kids, it was inevitable that someone would need braces. Unfortunately for our budget, 4 out of 4 need them. And on top of braces, they all 4 need upper frenum clippings.
Kid #1 had “junior braces” on the top before a full set, because she lost her canines early and her teeth shifted. Between junior braces and the real set, she was over $7k. She has an invisiline looking retainer and has “permanent” bonded retainers on her top and bottom teeth.
Kid #2 had a full set. She was actually out of braces before kid #1. In that time frame, our orthodontist retired and sold the practice, so her retainer I’d actually a plastic and metal set, not a fitted clear set. She was about $5k-$6k.
Kiddo #3 is currently in a full set that will be paid off at the end of the year (another $5k-$6k). She has had the absolute worst time with them. Her teeth are aligned, but she still has a touch of an overbite, but we are all happy with where she is at so she will be getting her braces off this month!
Kiddo #4 is to be determined. She still has her full frenum and has the best aligned teeth naturally of the 4, but we need a braces break!
As our 3rd journey ends, the offer of the bonded retainers came up for her, but with as sensitive as her teeth are and the tears we’ve had, we are opting for nightly retainers for now. Hopefully her teeth won’t shift!
Our running joke is that we basically purchased a fancy car for the last orthodontist! 🤣ðŸ˜