My twins are missing 7 and 8 permanent teeth. I have been on this journey for many years and hopefully can be helpful :)

[twinmom]

I have identical twin daughters who are missing 7 and 8 permanent teeth.  You all can imagine the shock and financial implications of that.  My daughters are 15 now and we have been actively working on this since they were five years old.  They have both been in braces since first grade and just got them removed for good!! It required three sets of braces for each daughter which has not been kind on the wallet *whew* but I knew early on that i wanted to do as much as possible early before other kids were old enough to look at them and think they looked different.  We had to move and shift teeth around in their case getting ready for implants at 17 and just to hold the bone structure as much intact in the back of the mouth as we could to keep from extensive bone grafting later.  It's alot to think about all at once so I have had to keep a day by day attitude.  There have been so many tears along the way, so much frustration, and so many trips to the orthodontist that we get invited to baby showers, weddings, and go to lunch with the staff.  One of the best decisions for our family was my really becoming educated on my children's tooth models and taking my time to visit with many orthodontists along the way.  We started our journey at the state dental school speaking with the head educators there then making appts. with 5 or 6 orthodontists looking for just the right one.  I had one orthodontist look and children and a bead of sweat ran down his face.  Really interview these doctors.  Quiz them on how they have handled similar cases.  The key for me was finding someone who thought outside the box.  There really isn't a standard way to deal with all of this!! You need a doctor who is willing to explore different avenues, who will tell you there isn't one way to fix it.  Call your state dental association and see who the president is and get referrals from there.  Most importantly, be thankful that this can be fixed.  I have picked my daughters up soooooo many times from school heading to the dentist with teeth that have fallen out at lunch and I've learned to be thankful that we aren't heading in for chemo or something so much worse.  My girls just got out of the third set of braces, are in a maryland bridge and today we learned that we are ready to seek the oral surgeon next summer to start some of the implants in the back of the mouth.  I was told to expect this portion of treatment to be around 25k.  Just like every other step of this journey we will find a way to make sure they get what they need.  The good news I would like to share with any of you just stepping foot on this journey is just to know that everything's going to be o.k.  My daughters are beautiful, well adjusted children.  Singing is their greatest gift.  Vocal coaches can't believe what they hear, they are cheerleaders in a school of 2k kids, they model, are in the top 30% of their class even without the permanent teeth!!! It has not held them back at all.  We have found ways to keep everything as asthethically pleasing as possible on this journey and you will too.  It's not easy but it can be done.  We are proof.  If I can help answer any specific questions, please don't hesitate to ask me.  I am wishing you all love on your own journeys with your sweet children.

[Judd and Arlene Pearson]

any luck getting the treatment paid for by medical insurance since this is a congenital problem? My daughter is 11 and she is missing 26 permanent teeth. She only has 6 permanent right now and of course, all her baby teeth. But so many of the baby teeth are pointy and need to be reshaped as well. 

[Patricia Lamm]

Hi Twinmom, 

I was re-reading your post of July 18, 2012 and just wanted to get an update on your daughter's progress. My daughter is missing all eight bi-cuspids and  had bi-lateral jaw surgery last year at age 16. Like you, we began her treatment very early at age five with a palette expander.  The jaw surgery was successful, but we are having issues stabilizing the teeth since the surgery. They are all very mobile. We had hoped to be in Maryland bridges by now, but just can't get the teeth to tighten up. Roots are short. I am praying that she will be able to keep the teeth she has. 

Just curious about how many implants your daughters have at this point and how that has gone for them. I am assuming they are in college now. Our daughter will be a junior in high school this year and we live in Southern California. 

Any words of wisdom will be appreciated! Thanks so much,

Tricia 

[Alexis Mena]

Thank you so much for posting this. It is all very helpful. It has been a long time -- if you are able to post an update I would love to hear it.