Crossbite and overbite in 10-year-old girl?

Question:

My daughter has a slight crossbite in her back teeth, and a slight overbite in her front teeth. She is 10 years old. It has been recommended that she see an orthodontist. We have scheduled the appointment, but I want to go in there somewhat educated, so I can ask the right questions. I understand that it is important to begin correction of the crossbite first, before she begins menstruating, and while she still has some baby teeth, for optimal results. Is this correct? Also, it seems to me we should be correcting the overbite as well. Everything I read seems to suggest that we will have to do the orthodontist thing again in a few years to correct that. Is this just better spacing of treatment over the years than was done years ago? And is it really necessary to begin all this at such a young age? We want to wait until 01/07, too, to take advantage of a flexible spending account. She will be almost 11 by then. Is waiting a mistake? Any information will be appreciated.

Answers:
I don't think it would hurt to wait. I work for an orthodontist and I don't think menstruation has anything to do with cross bite. It's actually kind of nice to get started once they've lost all of there baby teeth. You never know how there permanent teeth are going to grow back in. Cross bite can be corrected by wearing elastics and so can overbite. Headgear also helps with the overbite.

I would ask him if she will have to wear headgear or elastics (it could be both).

I would also find out if he would like to wait to get started until she's lost all of her deciduous (baby) teeth. He may want her to have some extractions so go ahead and ask about that too.

It may be okay to go ahead and get started, but I guarantee you it won't hurt to wait until 2007. She's still at a good age and I could be wrong, but I don't really see him trying to correct the cross bite or the overbite while she still has deciduous teeth.

Oh and where I work, we normally correct those problems towards the end of treatment anyway.

Other Answers:
I was told I had to have braces at a young age as well... my parents waited and I actually didn't have to have as much as what they thought before!

I have never heard of doing it before menstruation. I know they like to it at a younger age, because the teeth are more inclined to move and the bone is softer!

I don't think waiting until January is going to hurt anything WHATSOEVER!! I would wait if I were you!

I have a crossbite and a deep overbite. Now I'm finaly getting braces tommorow!

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Crossbite and overbite in 10-year-old girl?

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