Last Friday was an interesting day to say the least. Mr. Athletic has a 12mm jet from his top jaw to his bottom jaw from sucking his thumb, since he was a baby. He has for the most part, quit permanently, but not 100% (probably about 99%). We were waiting until he started to loose some teeth before starting consultations for Orthodontia. We started getting estimates in January. There are 5 Orthodontists within a 5 mile radius of our home. Believe it or not, they ALL had differing opinions (which I question) and different prices. We got the specific plan in dental, because it said it paid 80% of Orthodontia. It wasn't until I started to get estimates, until we found out that it was 80% UP TO a $1,000 MAXIMUM LIFETIME BENEFIT! Boy, were we surprised, and not in a good way either. We chose the practice that was going to be the most AGGRESSIVE in his treatment, and the least amt of $$. When they realized that we were going other places for estimates, it was like the game show, "Let's Make a Deal!" I would say it was a deal, but it was the best one. This is for the FIRST phase of treatment, lasting 12-18months. He has a Nance device holding his molars in while, they pull the front ones in and close them, and railroad ties, which are basically brackets pulled out like prongs, so he will keep thumbs and lips from getting up in his mouth. We also found out that Mr. Athletic would be looking at another Phase of full braces after the adult onset (after he looses all his baby teeth. When we went in he had 9 teeth to loose. He has lost 4 already and has 2 loose.) Then after all that is said and done, it is very possible, when he is about 17-18, he will require jaw surgery, where they break his jaw, to realign it. OUCH! I wished I could say this was cosmetic, but it isn't. We are afraid that if we don't get those teeth in, when he is outside playing or playing ball, he will have his teeth knocked out. To replace those, with root canals, we are looking at $5,000 a PIECE! Here are some picts from our day (yep, took picts for the books, lol!) Some people never leave home without their mastercard..........I never leave home without my camera, lol!



Above is a before picture of Mr. Athletic



Above is a picture of Mr. Athletic in the doctor's chair, and not happy that I have the camera, lol



Above is Mr. Athletic with the hygenist, getting his braces on.



Here is the Dr. Checking him out and making sure everything is right.



Here is the finished braces.

He is a little tender from the braces. We will be going back in 8 weeks for head gear. Since we homeschool, he will have to wear it here, unless eating or playing outside. One thing in his favor, is that he is a late "bloomer" as far as his growth, so he is still what the doctor calls "moldable". We are in for an interesting adventure.

Southern Belle