Orthodontics

 A few years ago, the dentist told us that Julia and Kelden would have the same major problem with their teeth and referred us to an orthodontist whom Julia went to see right away. However, this specialist said that it wouldn't be so bad and to come back when she had all her adult teeth. So a few months ago, Julia went back, although she saw someone different as the first one had retired. This new person said that her case was too complicated for him and referred us to someone else, based in Sudbury. As they didn't call us back, we made appointments for both Julia and Kelden with someone in town. She agreed that their cases were bad and even worse for Kelden. The main problem is that their upper teeth don't "cover" their lower teeth. For Julia, although it's hard to see in the picture, her upper and lower teeth are almost aligned.

Her lower teeth have tried compensating by growing inwardly. The orthodontist said she needs a jaw surgery to break the bones, add something to enlarge the jaw and readjust everything. That type of surgery has to be done after the child is completely grown. So for girls it's usually done around 16 years old.  Braces are also used for approximately a year before and a year after the surgery. 

Since boys' growth usually takes longer than girls, the surgery is done around 18 years old for them, which will make it impossible for Kelden to leave on his mission right after high school. Indeed, he too needs the surgery and the treatment with the braces. His teeth don't align exactly the way Julia does (his lower teeth are actually more forward than his upper teeth) but the problem is the same: the top is not wide enough.

He also has more problems and as soon as she saw him, the orthodontist sent him to get 4 teeth removed. Meanwhile, the orthodontist we were referred to at first called us. Since his consultations are free, we decided to go and get a second opinion. He confirmed that they both would need the jaw surgery and that Kelden was a bad case, one of the worst he's seen. "With such a gap between your teeth, how can you eat?" Since this orthodontist is not here and will be retired soon (before the treatments would start) we decided to stay with the other one. She saw Kelden after the teeth removal and said it had started to help except for maybe one tooth that might have merged with the bone, which could be problematic. She also explained how 3 out of 4 of his 6 year-old molars are out but have not grown sufficiently to be useful, hence the big gap and Kelden's inability to chew anything. Since he is now 12, she doubts those teeth are going to grow more and recommends removing them in order to put the wisdom teeth in their places. She is going to contact the surgeon that she is recommending (and who would do the operations in a few years) to see if she thinks she should do it now or later, when preparing all the teeth for the surgery. 

This jaw problem is genetic (the one orthodontist made me take off my mask but said it wasn't from me) so the orthodontist wanted to see Zack too. At first, we just sent her pictures, trying to save money on consultations. Zack didn't like it.

I thought Zack was different, his upper teeth are definitely in front, but unfortunately, on the sides, he does have the same problem. So he went to see the orthodontist who took her own pictures and also made a mold of his teeth. Zack was so uncomfortable during that procedure that he almost threw up on her. She didn't think he would but I had the assistant bring the garbage can as I know my kids! Fortunately for her, he was able to keep it down but definitely had a hard time.

 Since Zack is younger and still growing, the orthodontist thinks he can avoid the jaw surgery using a palatal expander to widen the jaw now. This "machine" is usually held by braces and glue like this:

However, on one of his sides, Zack's gum has not receded yet and is at the same level as the tooth so you can't put a brace on the tooth. As a result, Zack's expander is different. It has more plastic and glue. It covers more teeth as well. Remembering his bad experience, the orthodontist didn't make another mold to get the measurements for the expander but used pictures and Zack was grateful!

In the middle of the expander is a hole and I have a key for it. It activates the expander and Zack feels it right away so we're supposed to do it before going to bed so he sleeps when it hurts. It's hard to decide when to put it as Zack doesn't fall asleep until late but I don't want to forget! Here is the key:

I'm supposed to use it for 2 weeks. Then, we go back to the orthodontist who will tell us if we need to continue to activate the expander or not. Either way, he will keep his expander for another 2 to 3 months. After that, he will have a retainer, which he will use for life. The retainer will not be glued and he will be able take it off when he eats. Right now, with his expander, he can't eat things like popcorn or sticky candy (but Nutella is fine, so we're all good!) He received a little machine to help him clean his mouth after each meal.

And all this is only Phase 1 of his treatment. He will need braces later too and who knows what else...Our visits to the orthodontist's have only just begun. And since Ryan will probably need the same types of treatment, I'm not seeing the end any time soon...