Told year old will need a brace?

[Yellowdaff25]

My 6 year old son has had a routine check up at the dentist and the good news is he has no cavities and good brushing etc etc but the dentist has said that he will need a brace.

It was my partner who took my son and said the dentist advised he would need the brace at 12 or possibly by 8 years old to correct his bite.

A brace at 8 seems very early doesn’t it? Or does it? My son currently has only 2 partially erupted adult teeth (front lower) and his upper two teeth are wobbly but not ready to come out yet. He has never had a dummy or sucked his thumb and his bite (obviously I’m no expert so could be wrong) looks normal.

Just looking for any advice from anyone who might know more about this than me? Would you get a second opinion?

Thanks :)

It's good to have it early before they get self conscious and want to kiss people!
I had one in year 5-6. You couldn't see it at all really. It was one that pushes the teeth out but you can remove it. Not train tracks. It was cool. No drama. I used to quite like having it. Never got teased. I don't think anyone mentioned it.

A dentist told me when my daughter was two to get dental insurance that covered orthodontic treatment because she would need it. She was right, so I assume they have an eye for what won’t change at an early stage.
Orthodontics has changed a lot since we were kids and loads of my 8 year old’s classmates have palate expanders and train tracks. Apparently the result is better the earlier they intervene. I will spend 4k this year trying to fix the mess that braces in the 90s made of my mouth so a different approach sounds good to me!

Ds1 was 8 when we were told he'd need a brace. It was obvious at that point tbh as the protrusion and gap as his front adult teeth came in was big. He saw the orthodontist age 9 but did not have any actual treatment til most of his adult came in, just yearly reviews. He was 13 in the end and even then they had to pull a couple of back baby teeth that were fused to the gum.

It does sound early but I think it depends on the issue. If the bite is wrong then they do seem to start earlier while the jaw is still growing. My son has some friends who had retainers in year 6. He hasn’t needed a retainer or palate expander so will get his train tracks this year aged 13. Our dentist can’t refer ours to orthodontics until they’re 10. My 10 year old has just been referred now and the waiting list is 2 years so she’ll see them at 12. I think it’s great if you can get in earlier

DD had a palate expander in year 4. It has to be done early to work well. With a palate expander they get a wider palate and smile so there is room for the adult teeth to come through uncrowded. Avoids extractions and less likely to need train tracks (or for less time). Of course, this is only helpful for kids with a narrow palate.

I wouldn’t have wanted her to have it any earlier than year 4 as it did take a bit of management (extra cleaning etc).

We had it privately, the NHS wouldn’t have done anything till all her adult teeth came in (as her teeth were straight just very close together) by which time it would have been too late for a palate expander.

These replies are very helpful - thanks! :)