Families with 4+ kids...

[I.Dup.]

How do you/will you handle braces?

[amy g.]

First child out of braces, second child didn't need them, third child is almost out of braces. We will have a nice long break before the fourth and fith child are old enough.

 

We just let insurance cover what they cover, then paid out some on the balance each month until they were done.

[Whereneverever]

Is crying an option? :p

[freesia]

Not all of ours will need braces. Our philosophy is to do it if it is a true dental need, not just cosmetic. Our second child is in braces right now. If need be, we would have one in braces at a time. A friend who has a much larger family has the same philosophy--as one gets t hem off, another gets them on.

[Koerarmoca]

My eldest doesn't need them but my 11 year old does our insurance pays 80% we have to put down 10% and the rest can be made in monthly payments. Not sure if the youngest ones will need them at all.

[I.Dup.]

Is crying an option? :p

 

Yes, yes it is.

 

Thankfully our oldest will not need them. I am 99% sure our second will, just because of the severe crowding I can already see (the teeth next to his 2 front teeth are coming in way up high). I'm sure at least 2 or 3 others will need them also.

 

Is it normal that insurance will pay for at least some of it? Do you have them on your/your dh's work dental or something?

[freesia]

Sometime your insurance doesn't cover it but they have a pricing agreement with the ortho. This was true for us. No where in our insurance papers did it mention this but, the orthodontist office knew about it. Also, sometimes orthos are considered specialists under your plan.

[DianeW88]

Insurance doesn't cover much for braces. Ours covered only $1,000 per child. Each of my kids braces cost $4,000. That will vary depending on where you live...we got away cheaply according to some of my friends on the east and west coasts. A nice smile and the self-confidence it brings are important to my dh and me, so we were happy to pay whatever it cost to give that gift to our kids.

[Ann.without.an.e]

Thankfully oldest dd doesn't need them. Second child could use them but doesn't need them so I think we'll have to skip. Third child will desperately need them. We should intervene now but we tried that route and it failed (and cost a lot of money) and so we are waiting to deal with it later. Not sure about child #4 yet.

[ashfern]

Oldest needs them. FIL said that he would pay for them. :hurray: Second kid has perfect teeth. Third looks like she may need them but the dentist hasn't mentioned it yet. Fourth still just has baby teeth that are perfect.

[Miss Peregrine]

One child at a time, if they need them. We pay cash as the the insurance is a joke. We pay around $4000.

[Miss Peregrine]

One child at a time, if they need them. We pay cash as the the insurance is a joke. We pay around $4000.

[Moxie]

Same as any other big bill--tighten belts, budget, etc.

[Excelsior! Academy]

Minimal insurance and cash. All our children are a year or two apart. Hopefully not all will be in braces at the same time.

 

I didn't get braces and have some teeth that are a bit crooked. Food always gets trapped making it hard for me to brush, so we will get braces for every child with the exception being my oldest. The ortho told me she had nearly perfect teeth. She said if we wanted to do invisilign for 2K we could. We probably won't. Dd is 16 and if she feels like it is a necessity or causes brushing problems then we will.

[Lisa in SC]

Insurance pays a little, then we pay the balance in monthly installments. Our eldest needed retainers with adjustable spacers only. Younger dd needed extensive orthodontia which lasted almost five years and cost close to $6,000. Older ds needs some, which we will start soon. The jury is still out on youngest, but I suspect he'll require some as well.

[Ali in OR]

We only have two kids, but we still do one at a time. Ran into a friend at the orthodontist's office last time. She has 6 kids who will all have braces eventually and they are doing the one at a time strategy also.

 

ETA: only two kids to be braced, that is! Disabled dd won't have braces even though her teeth aren't perfect.

[J-rap]

Three of our children needed braces, and insurance didn't cover any of it. We couldn't afford for our oldest to have them until she was in 10th grade. And, we couldn't afford two at once, so the next one down had to wait til the other was done. Because the girls were just a year apart grade-wise, the second one had them in 11th and 12th grade, getting them off a week before senior pictures. It was kind of a bummer to have them as an older high schooler, but they didn't seem to mind. Our number three is our youngest and she was able to get them earlier, in 8th grade. We did the monthly payments for all of them.

[MrsMommy]

All of our children will need them...the oldest is going to see the ortho this summer.

 

The whole thing terrifies me. Our insurance covers some, but not a lot, and with how close in age the oldest four are, there will be some overlap in when they have them. Hopefully we find a nice doctor who will work out some kind of payment plan with us.

[Susan in TN]

They will only get braces if the kids' teeth are really crooked or are causing actual medical issues. My two oldest have not needed braces (well, the dentist and orthodontist think they do, but we beg to differ :)) Dd10 may need them, but we're waiting to see how her mouth grows to fit her teeth.

[LostSurprise]

Health Savings Account. Its like a flex account but it rolls over from year to year and its easier to get to the money (special debit account, no middle man or reinbursement system). We started it a few years ago for other issues but its been awesome having it in place.

 

We're set up to pay the bill 2x a year. So far only #1 really needs it but the dentist says the others have overbites. :glare:

[skimerinkydo]

3 out of 4 need braces. Two very badly. Enough so that people would come up and ask me if /when we were going to put braces on them. We are talking very crooked. Shark teeth, buck teeth, sideways teeth, etc. For a long time we just didn't have the money. Right before the oldest of the two started high school we felt we could finally afford it.

 

I took the two and shopped around and got estimates from about 5 orthodontists. The prices and treatment plans varied widely. The treatment plan I liked the best was also the cheapest ... yea! I was going to do one child at a time but the younger of the two needed a palate spreader that needed to be done before growth spurt so we started both at once. At least this way with both at once, the appointments are usually at the same time and we'll be all done in 2 1/2 years instead of driving back and forth twice as long. It has been 1 1/2 years now and it is an amazing difference in their appearance.

 

The third child has mild crooked front teeth and doesn't want braces - she doesn't want anything in her mouth. ok, her decision.

[Janie Grace]

We have a health savings plan that rolls over, too. It covers 80% of stuff like braces, regular dental, optical, chiro. We're doing one kid at a time. Dd13 is just getting started, ds12 doesn't need them (thankfully), ds9 will need them but hopefully dd13 will be out of them by the time he starts. So far, so good.

[AK_Mom4]

Only kids 3 and 4 have needed braces and there is quite a gap between them. If the older two had needed braces, we would have spread them out so that as one kid was finished, the next one started. We actually got a nice discount on kid #4's braces because we were "repeat customers with an excellent payment history" :D

[TracyP]

One child at a time and on a case-by-case basis. Oldest needs braces, but I don't foresee a need with #2. It's too soon to tell, but if the younger 3 all need them, I can't imagine they will all get them. I just don't think that will be affordable for us. Hopefully that won't happen.

[Caroline]

This describes us, too.

 

Insurance doesn't cover much for braces. Ours covered only $1,000 per child. Each of my kids braces cost $4,000. That will vary depending on where you live...we got away cheaply according to some of my friends on the east and west coasts. A nice smile and the self-confidence it brings are important to my dh and me, so we were happy to pay whatever it cost to give that gift to our kids.

 

[LibraryLover]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I hate braces, and all 4 of mine seriously needed them. The luck of the genetic draw, I guess. Aren't we all so lucky! ;)

 

Flex spending account, monthly payments, insurance. Still, a serious financial outlay. 18 more months left for the last child. She thinks she's looking forward to it? Not as much as I am. lol

[LibraryLover]

Is crying an option? :p

 

 

 

It's mandatory. :grouphug:

[Murphy101]

I view needed braces as no different than hearing aids and glasses. If they need them, they need them and worse case scenario we'll sell some blood to make it happen. I think it's deplorable that it isn't covered under medical. So far we haven't had to sell blood for the two I currently have in Damon braces. (THRILLED with that suggestion I got here btw!!!) but who know how many pints I'll have bleed by the time all the kids are grown.

[justamouse]

Ugh, it's crazy to deal with, we've town in them right now. They should be done in a year.

 

I am not for braces unless they are medically needed--cute space between teeth? That's you. Palate so small you can't breathe right? Braces.

 

Try the Damons. If not, regular ortho. It's a LOT of $. A lot. But they should work with you. But yeah, crying often is the way to deal.

[fairfarmhand]

One kid at a time. Also we have a flexible spending account and that helps too. We can pay for ortho with it.

[Joyofsixreboot]

One at a time with payments. Flex acct helps.

[BakersDozen]

On their 11th bday we start putting aside $167/month. This way we have the cash saved up to pay in full (and get a nice discount as a result) when we begin treatment at the age of 13. It sure felt amazing to plunk down the cash for 3 dc's braces so far, and we are almost there with the fourth dc. I tell our orthodontist that we will be keeping him in business for a long, long time. :)

[I.Dup.]

How do you set up a flex account? How does that work exactly?

 

And we have one place in town that does Damon braces. We consulted with them but they do not seem any cheaper or shorter treatment-wise than the other kind. Is that right?

[I.Dup.]

DP

[Murphy101]

Whether the Damon will be cheaper or faster depends on why your kid needs braces. For my one of mine, it significantly reduced their time in braces. For the other it was only a couple months less. But the results are much faster and they have had zero complaints or problems. No tears. No broken bands. Nada but quickly improving teeth. And not a single extraction has to be made tho two other orthos with traditional braces said they wanted to.

 

The cost wasn't cheaper but I think we are happier than if we had used trad braces.

[higginszoo]

One at a time, but with kids a year apart, that meant literally one in and one out on the same day (payments did overlap a bit there). This time, we've just finished paying for one child and the next won't start until July. When he's out, we'll move on to the youngest.

[Tammi K]

One child at a time. :crying:

 

Child 1 and 2 needed them. Child 3 and 4 didn't. Child 5 needs braces and jaw surgery (top and bottom) when she is about 19. Child number 6 had a stage 1 treatment at 10 years old - he had a snaggle tooth on the top that was pushing the corresponding bottom tooth out of the jaw bone. Fortunately, a simple little 'pusher bar' moved the top tooth and the bottom tooth eased back. It looks like he won't even need stage two. :hurray:

[fairfarmhand]

How do you set up a flex account? How does that work exactly?

 

And we have one place in town that does Damon braces. We consulted with them but they do not seem any cheaper or shorter treatment-wise than the other kind. Is that right?

It's set up through my dh's employer, but if y ou are self-employed, I am almost certain that you can still use it. You set aside pre-tax $$$ for medical expenses. The cool thing about it is that the full amount for the year is available to be spent on Jan 1. But it comes out of my dh's paycheck weekly. So we can get the cash discount, but it still comes out of our money one week at a time. (at least with the way that our account is set up.) Don't take my word on it though. Be sure you understand what you are doing and how your plan will work before you set aside the $$$.

[speedmom4]

Two down and two to go. Our insurance paid $1000 per child. The total for a set of braces here is around $5000. The tricky part now is that we have one going to college in the fall and #3 will be getting braces around that time. I hope everyone likes beans!!!

 

Elise in NC

[Tiramisu]

#1 got braces. She had a crossbite so it was more than cosmetic.

#2 did not get braces, though they were recommended by the orthodontis. She has sensory issues and the spacers made her flip out. Dentist thought she'd be okay without braces. It was an opportunity to save money.

#3 had palate expander for crossbite. Will wait on braces. She's disorganized and won't use the retainer or will let the dog eat it. Waiting to get the most bang for the buck.

#4 too young to worry about.

[JFSinIL]

Find an ortho who will cut you a break - when I had braces, each kid in the same family cost my folks LESS. Now - our ortho simply agrees not to raise the price on subsequent kids.

[justamouse]

On their 11th bday we start putting aside $167/month. This way we have the cash saved up to pay in full (and get a nice discount as a result) when we begin treatment at the age of 13. It sure felt amazing to plunk down the cash for 3 dc's braces so far, and we are almost there with the fourth dc. I tell our orthodontist that we will be keeping him in business for a long, long time. :)

 

 

Mine started with palate expanders (which are medieval but AMAZING) at 11, so saving wouldn't have helped. But yes, I understand the concept and that sounds awesome.

[Orthodox6]

One came out, the next went in.

 

The orthodontist we see is of superlative quality, with people coming in from out-of-state just to secure his services. The piggy bank minded, but we did not. Even after all payments have been made, service/visits continue at no additional charge until the child's teeth are "just right" by the doctor's high standards.

[I.Dup.]

One came out, the next went in.

 

The orthodontist we see is of superlative quality, with people coming in from out-of-state just to secure his services. The piggy bank minded, but we did not. Even after all payments have been made, service/visits continue at no additional charge until the child's teeth are "just right" by the doctor's high standards.

 

How do you find someone like this?

[Orthodox6]

 

How do you find someone like this?

 

 

I suffer the misfortune of living in the country's fourth-largest metroplex, so it is possible to find a lot of resources here. In our case, a close friend had sent her son to this man, and was completely happy with the service and results. I learned about out-of-state patients during visits when, in the waiting room, I would hear other parents in conversations with each other.

 

Canvassing your friends is a good starting point. Check whether the orthodontist of interest is Board Certified (a plus point).

[myfunnybunch]

 

How do you find someone like this?

 

Ask your dentist or hygenist for a recommendation, too. We chose the ortho recommended by our dental hygenist. She took all of her children to him. He is amazing--conscientious and thorough, works with families financially, and he treats parents like we are intelligent thinking beings instead of non-experts. My ds12 is nearly done with his treatment, and I cannot speak highly enough of our orthodontist.

 

As far as paying for braces:

We began budgeting/saving for braces when the dentist mentioned that our oldest ds would need them.

The orthodontist offers sibling discounts, and discounts for paying half or more up front.

We use our flex account.

The ortho offers a monthly payment plan.

We won't start the next child until ds12 is out of braces this year so that we're only paying for one child at a time.

 

Cat

[HRAAB]

Fortunately, out of 5 kids only 1 so far will need them. After insurance, we will pay it out of our savings. Ouch! Hopefully no one else will need braces.

[BakersDozen]

Mine started with palate expanders (which are medieval but AMAZING) at 11, so saving wouldn't have helped. But yes, I understand the concept and that sounds awesome.

I took my 3 oldest in for a consultation when they were 11, 10 and 9 and left with full treatment plan, including palate expander and two needing extractions. Two years later I went in and guess what? Only one palate expander and no extractions. Their mouth grew enough (which is exactly what happened with me...didn't start treatment until I was 14). That's why we wait until 13 - in hopes their mouths will grow enough to not need expander or extraction. Now if it was an obviously severe case in which an expander would greatly help with future treatment then we would have it done earlier.

 

Oh, and the treatment time changed from over 2 years initially to about 20 months. No headgear (as initial treatment plan called for), either.

[Kim in Appalachia]

My oldest needed them, my 2nd did not. My 3rd child just got them. His mouth was so bad that it really had to be done. My 4th might not need them. He is currently using some sort of mouth piece that the dentist gave him to help his bite come in straight. But I think overcrowding is going to still be an issue, but I'm hoping for the best. My youngest probably has the worst mouth, but there's a bit of time before we have to deal with it. Our insurance covers only a little, we pay the rest as it comes. It's medical, and has to happen. The kids who have needed them really needed them. It hasn't been about cosmetics.

[Lisbeth]

Insurance doesn't cover much for braces. Ours covered only $1,000 per child. Each of my kids braces cost $4,000. That will vary depending on where you live...we got away cheaply according to some of my friends on the east and west coasts. A nice smile and the self-confidence it brings are important to my dh and me, so we were happy to pay whatever it cost to give that gift to our kids.

 

 

Agree. Ours will get them whether they are for serious medical or cosmetic reasons, if there is a need.