Hello!

My son is 11 years old and the dentist has referred us to the Orthodontist (apparently my son has been tongue tied his whole life but we didn’t know and it’s affected the room in his mouth). I feel if I go to the Ortho, he will automatically stick braces on and it will cost a fortune. Should I get another opinion or do you think the Ortho will be honest and tell me if it’s a real problem rather than just for looks?


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  • Dentists and orthodontists know their stuff, I’d listen to the ortho but if you’re not happy with the price get a second opinion


  • In general I do trust the opinion of the gp, dentist, orthodontist and specialist. When I don’t agree or have questions I certainly speak my mind. It never harms to ask a second opinion.


  • I guess I would probably just assume the Ortho was going to be honest. It can’t hurt though to get a second opinion.


  • My son had an over bite that could have needed braces. The ortho said to give it a bit more time, it could fix itself. We went back in 12 months and it was fine, it had fixed itself and he didn’t need braces. So that ortho was honest. Hope yours is too


  • I know a friend of mine who’s child was told that she need braces. And when she went for second opinion she was told that her child is young (11yeasr old) and don’t need a braces yet. So I would say get a second opinion.


  • Take him. get an opinion and a quote then go and get another one, my daughter needed braces, more for looks as it was affecting her confidence, and the difference in quotes were $4000 to $8000, we have a specialist here that does it for a lump sum which you pay off over 3 financial years so that if u have private health u get maximum benefits but it also makes an easy monthly payment, his wife is his receptionist and as she told me they prefer to see all children with lovely teeth than extra money, he did a fantastic job and he has a waiting list which is hardly surprising as he is good and looks after the kids not just his wallet. look around you can get a good honest specialist who is in the industry for the right reason.


  • Always get a second opinion if you have any doubts. Good Luck!


  • ABSOLUTELY get a second opinion & Quote. Prices and opinions vary so much – more information is the key to successful decision making.


  • I don’t think an orthodontist would put braces on a child if it wasn’t needed


  • I would get a few opinions, don’t just take their word. I had my 3 year old to a dentist who then referred me to a paediatric dentist who said she needed over $4000 worth of work I. Her mouth and needed to go under whilst they did it. I had such a bad feeling in my stomach, and lucky a friend of mine referred me to the Medicare dentist (which is fee to all Australian children under 18) and they were brilliant, whilst she needs some fillings the dentist was shocked at what the specialist dentist wanted to do a 3 year olds teeth.


  • I would get more then one opinion as my daughters were taken to one dentist that said they need braces and then I took them to get a second opinion and was told there was nothing wrong with them and at this point they don’t need braces, also that as they were still loosing baby teeth and getting adult teeth unless really necessary wasn’t a good idea.


  • My youngest daughter needed braces and it is only now when i look back at photos of her were i see how bad things were. As this is your child and you see them daily and thats just what they look like you dont see how bad things are at times. I doubt very much that there are orthodontists that are putting braces on teeth just to make money. You can take him to one and get a quote and then say you are going to seek another opinion and another quote…that sounds like a good idea anyway.


  • Yes it will cost but if they need them then its a hard one. Having said that if you aren’t sure get a second opinion as I know my child will need a lot of work done as he gets older but have already had different opions on how bad they are. If he is at school I think they can see the dentist for free for a check up, but maybe get another opinion from a good general denist as well.


  • Go to the orth and if he says your son needs braces, get a second opinion if you are unconvinced
    . My daughter wanted braces because her eye teeth were a little twisted. We went to the ortho, and he said if she really was that worried about it he would put braces on, but in his opinion he wouldn’t bother. Not sure what state you are in but I could recommend him, we are in sa


  • I agree maybe go and get a few opinions


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