I am definitely BU

[DrewBarryless]

I so know I am being unreasonable posting this here but I put it under children’s health initially and no one has replied so thought I’d put it here for more traffic...apologies if this annoys anyone.

My son aged 7 (still has top incisors as baby teeth) has an underbite. I saw an orthodontist recently and he suggested treatment to realign the jaw. He would wear a type of mouth guard thingy (I can’t remember what he called it as there was a bit of a language barrier... not in the UK) He would have to wear it overnight whilst he slept plus ideally 3 hours continuously in the day. He would not be allowed to talk during this time. This would be for a year. I was a little shocked when this was suggested as it seems quite excessive for such a small child but the ortho explained it is good to catch them young otherwise his jaw may noticeably lengthen. I am at a loss at what to do for the best. Google seems to promote a similar treatment but I can’t find anywhere to suggest the same timings (ie all night and 3 hours in the day). Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about this type of problem? Thanks in advance.

I can't comment completely but i have an overbite, and had to have one of these block braces when I was 8. It was quite uncomfortable and I stopped wearing it. But looking back now I wished I had just done it. My only option now is to pay roughly 20 thousand for surgery. Definitely do it. And try and persist with it when you do. The more days he has it out because he doesn't like it, the longer he will have it.

Thanks so much for your response - really appreciate it.
DBL

I think you would be wise to get a second opinion. Perhaps he is right, but there also might be other forms of treatment. I personally know 2 people who were put in braces far too young and ended up having to get them again as teens. It's worth it to get another opinion.

I agree...definitely will see someone to get that second opinion but it is reassuring to hear that the poster before wishes she/he (?) has persevered. Thanks again.

I agree that telling a child not to talk for 3 hours a day is quite shocking. Children of 7 are only awake for 12/14 hours or so. I also think 7 sounds unnecessarily young. My daughter had a significant over bite of 9mm - she struggled to speak clearly and eat with her mouth closed so we really needed to do something. Because it was 9mm she was treated on the nhs - worth checking - they're obliged to tell you. She had a wired in place, jaw realignment procedure which encouraged the jaw to position itself differently as it grew. It certainly didn't mean she couldn't talk. She had to clean her teeth carefully and use a mouth rinse etc as teeth can decay easily if cleaning isn't thorough. We started this at 9 and I remember this was considered early but she was very tall for her age. I can't remember how long the jaw realignment lasted - a year ish I think, and then she had normal braces to alter the teeth. It all took about 3 years. I think the idea is to catch the growth spurt around puberty. She still, (in her teens) wears a retainer at night and also has a permanent non visible wire behind her lower teeth as the teeth began to move back. The wire and retainer have held them in check though now. The result is great near perfect profile and teeth. I remember she was very upset and frightened about it all at first, but having a good dentist who talks it all through with the child is important. I think you need to get some other opinions. There's a lot of money to be made in all this so you may not have been told the truth. Hope this helps

That really is helpful to know. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. I am glad it was worth it for your daughter 😊 I agree about the money thing - that is what worries me.

My daughter had an underbite and an orthodontist suggested jaw surgery when she would have been in her late teens - she was 11 at the time. I asked for a second opinion and found an orthodontist who disagreed and said we could realign via braces. Took around two years but worked and she looks and feels great - and the braces were off before she became really self-conscious..

I'd definitely get a second opinion.

Second opinion it is! Thank you for your experience as well