Braces for Disabled Kids

My daughter needs braces -- she is 17 but disabled (Cerebral Palsy/Seizures/Mental Retardation).  Since she is not age equivalent she doesn't understand how important sitting still for dental work is so going to the dentist is a MAJOR deal.  She gets extremely upset, cries, and usually has to be restrained.  Will most dentist sedate for braces or should be just put off this for a few more years and hope she gets better at the dentist????

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

There may be special clinics in a dental school that will treat disabled children--I would look into it as a possibility. I do not no of any orthodontists that sedate their patients.

[funkynina]

Howdy! You had such a great question and are lucky to have been blessed with this angel. And your daughter is definately very blessed to have a wonderful mother whom is concerned about her so much. I don't know if your daughter is on any medications or if maybe a valium prescription is appropriate for her. I work in a pediatric dental office (not orthodontic), but we sometimes have special needs patients that take valium prescribed by their md. b/4 their appt. some Patients do well with this and some are more emotional. It's hard to say. You have to go on mother's intuition about that and how you think YOUR daughter would accept it. Also some of our patients do very well when breathing Nitrous Oxide during their visit. This can just help relax muscle tension. What age level is your daughter at? Could you maybe get some pictures and show her some other kids getting braces or having braces on. Maybe make it sound really cool!?!? I would suggest if your daughter can be reasoned with that you maybe make a call to the orthodontist you are thinking of and see if you can make a field trip there. Then she could see other kids her age getting their teeth looked at. Then maybe go do something special with her like ice cream or a walk at the park whatever she really enjoys and then maybe you can talk some more about the braces. Also as a parent I would think about the reason she needs braces. Is it for looks? or function? or speech? or self esteem? You should also think about how hard it is going to be to keep them clean. If it is difficult for you to brush and floss her teeth at home it will be even more difficult with the braces on. Did you or her dad or someone she adores wear braces currently or in the past? Maybe you could have them talk to her or show her a picture. I think that some special needs patients do better if they have short positive visits with their dentist in order to build a relationship of trust. Sometimes I think that it seems they are there for so long and they know they don't like what is happening that they always associate the visits with a bad thing. Maybe make a short visit for her to visit the dentist to just take a ride in the chair and get a prize! Make it sound like she did a great job and she did a lot. Maybe this will build her confidence?!? I also think some patients do well if they can hold a mirror and see what the dentist is doing (maybe with a mouth mirror in there only!) and then they aren't so worried. I hope that some of this helps. Good-luck! I love these kids! Please let me know if I can help at all!

[LindainAR]

You had some great suggestions!  Stephanie takes 15 seizures pills a day to control her seizures (going on 3 years).  She is equivalent to a 6-7 year old.  She's had some bad experiences at the dental office when she was little so it takes the papoose (sp) jacket and gas usually just for a regular visit.  The braces are mainly for cosmetic purposes; although she does have an overbite with the top teeth (not bad).  Brushing has always been a fight so I know it would REALLY be a big one with  braces.  Brushing teeth is a goal in her Special Ed classes where we are working on personal hygiene.  I love her the way she is so I'm not too gung-ho on this braces issue, but it comes up each visit.  You see many adults with braces so I know this can wait.  
Thanks again...Linda

[funkynina]

Linda- I would like to make one other suggestion. We sell to our patients a mouth prop. It is made by Johnson and Johnson called a molt mouth prop. Your child's dentist may use it when you come in for her cleanings. Where I live they sell for about $50. That is the cost from the company we buy from. They help hold open the mouth with a locking mechanizm so you don't loose a finger or two!! They are very helpful for parents at home inorder to reach in there and really see and get things clean!
Also, I would tell your dentist that you will let him know if you are interested in a referral to an orthodontist, but for now you would like to wait. Or even so, you could ask if there are any other reasons for the braces other than looks. He may have some concerns he has or has not mentioned.
You must be a GREAT mom! A lot of our parents of special needs kids are so wonderful. I hope that I can be more like you guys with my little one.

[valerina]

I came across the website while searching for mouth props. I'm wondering if I could by a molt mouth prop for my disabled son from your office. Our dentist suggested we buy one for home as cleanings and brushing can be a nightmare and I sometimes just need to see how things are looking in his mouth. We were quoted a cost of $150 and cannot afford that at this time. The price you quoted was within our budget.