Glad your granddaughter dodged that bullet. Have you looked into dental schools for braces? My niece got hers done at one—still professional care, just supervised students. Took a bit longer, but saved us quite a bit of cash... worth checking out if budget's tight.
"Have you looked into dental schools for braces? My niece got hers done at one—still professional care, just supervised students."
That's actually a really good suggestion. My friend's son went the dental school route too, and honestly, it turned out great. The students were super careful, and the supervising orthodontist was always there to double-check everything. Sure, appointments took a bit longer, but they were thorough and patient, which made my friend's kid feel more comfortable overall.
I get why some people might hesitate—it's your teeth, after all—but from what I've seen, the quality of care is solid. Plus, the savings are no joke. If you're feeling unsure, maybe schedule a consultation first just to see how comfortable you and your granddaughter feel with the setup. It never hurts to get a second opinion, especially when it's something as important as dental health.
My grandson went to a dental school for his braces too, and honestly, it was one of the best decisions we made. At first, I was a bit skeptical—like you said, teeth are important—but after seeing how thorough and attentive they were, my worries faded pretty quickly. The students took their time, explained every step clearly, and the supervising orthodontist was always right there making sure everything was done correctly.
Sure, appointments ran a little longer than usual, but that extra attention actually made my grandson feel more at ease. Plus, the savings were significant enough that we could afford some extras like better retainers afterward. I'd definitely encourage anyone who's hesitant to at least check it out. DIY hacks might seem tempting to teens (especially with all those viral videos), but nothing beats proper care from trained professionals—even if they're still learning.
Glad it worked out so well for your grandson, but I gotta admit, our experience at a dental school wasn't quite as smooth. We tried it for my daughter because the savings were tempting, and while the students were definitely thorough and careful, the constant supervision and explanations actually made her more anxious. She felt like she was being talked about rather than talked to, if that makes sense.
Also, the longer appointments became a bit of an issue with her school schedule and extracurriculars—sometimes we'd spend almost two hours there for something that would've taken 30 minutes at a regular orthodontist. Eventually, we switched back to a private practice just to keep things simpler and less stressful for her.
Not saying dental schools aren't a good option—they clearly can be—but I think it really depends on your kid's personality and how comfortable they are with the whole process. Either way, totally agree DIY braces are a disaster waiting to happen... teens really underestimate how complicated orthodontics can be.
Yeah, I totally get the anxiety thing. I went to a dental school for braces too, and while it saved money, those super long appointments and constant explanations really ramped up my nerves. Definitely not for everyone... especially if you're already anxious about dental stuff.
