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Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,551 posts, read 81,085,957 times
Reputation: 57734
Orthodontics are not just done for looks. In my case, for example, in my 50s my dentist suggested orthodontics to prevent the hard damage to fillings form the way my uppers and lowers mash together. I opted to pass, though, and instead he made a night guard to prevent night clashing or grinding. When a condition of the teeth is causing health problems and it can be corrected, it should be done. If someone is unhappy with the appearance of their teeth and it can be remedied with orthodontics, and they can afford it, they should do it.
It doesn't matter what others think.
Take it from someone who's parents couldn't be convinced that I should have my bite adjusted as a kid because my teeth "looked OK". There's a lot going on behind that smile. Malocclusion can damage your teeth and cause you a lot of misery throughout your life. Because of my bite and crooked teeth I've ended up being a chronic tooth grinder (a "bruxer"), suffered with TMJ and a lot of facial and jaw pain. Grinding did a lot of damage which of course I got to pay to repair as an independent adult (custom nightguards, crowns, fillings, thank goodness no root canals or fractured teeth).
Don't make superficial assumptions OP. What your cousin may or may not need to do with his teeth should be suggested by an orthodontist, not a beauty consultant.
Take it from someone who's parents couldn't be convinced that I should have my bite adjusted as a kid because my teeth "looked OK". There's a lot going on behind that smile. Malocclusion can damage your teeth and cause you a lot of misery throughout your life. Because of my bite and crooked teeth I've ended up being a chronic tooth grinder (a "bruxer"), suffered with TMJ and a lot of facial and jaw pain. Grinding did a lot of damage which of course I got to pay to repair as an independent adult (custom nightguards, crowns, fillings, thank goodness no root canals or fractured teeth).
Don't make superficial assumptions OP. What your cousin may or may not need to do with his teeth should be suggested by an orthodontist, not a beauty consultant.
Even WITH braces, I ended up with tooth resorption on one tooth (likely caused by the braces), unusual gum recession likely caused by the braces, and I still clench my teeth like crazy and have TMD. It is sort of a catch-22. My sister thinks that the braces contributed to her TMD. She ended up getting a guard, but ultimately getting fillings on cavities helped modify her bite enough that she doesn’t clench anymore. My best friend’s daughter is going through treatment now because she already has jaw pain and is only 10. So it really depends on the situation.
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