For us it was a need. Our son's bite is about an half inch off and he's got teeth where he shouldn't. we do have a good dental plan, but, we still have to pay a HUGE amount to have our sons teeth fixed. On the plus side of this our dentist let us pay a down payment and then make monthly payments (it's almost as bad as buying a car) I think if this wasn't offered to us, we would be waiting a few years to save up for this.

I say need, DH says want. Niether of us had braces and our teeth are fairly good. I think teeth are one of the first things you notice about someone when they smile. It's a huge self esteem issue. DD1 will have her braces removed in a few weeks and she is thrilled. DD2 will not get hers on for about 18 months. Our insurance only pays $1000 so the rest is up to us.

Most orthodontists will give you a free consult. Go to at least 3 and ask friends for referrals. We paid a lot but she is the best in the area and came highly recommened by many people. I have a friend who is a hygenist and she went to 7 places with her daughter. This is who she picked for many reasons, since this is her profession I totally trusted her opinion so ask LOTS of people and make sure you find someone you're comfortable with.

Now we need 'crown lengthening' and that is totally a want but we will save and get it done. Her teeth are so covered by her gums they look little, like baby teeth. We'll see a cosmetic dentist for this but not until we SAVESAVESAVE!

It would depend on how bad the teeth are. When I was a kid 6 of my bottom teeth came in totally backwards. I had braces for years. The dentist I went to said it was the worst case he has ever seen. I had a cemented in bottom retainer for 3 years and the reg for the top.

My dentist had worned me that my son was going to need the becuase his baby teeth were so close together. I am really seeing it now. He lost one tooth that came in fine but now has moved because of other teeth trying to push through.

I have a 4 year old that is going to have the same problem her teeth are close together. My 5 year old have gaps between all of her teeth. As long as they come in straight it should be good.

Unfortunately, teeth problem run in the family on my dads side.

We consider it a need. Both DH and I had braces and have never had to experience the worrying about our smile feeling. I can't even imagine worrying about what my smile looks like and have always had compliments on it. I will do all in my power to ensure my daughters have the same!

my parents did get braces for 2 out of 3 daughters, me being one of them. i had one front tooth that did not come in, the babytooth was pulled and the permanent tooth was developing a cyst around it in my jaw so i had oral surgery to bring it down and braces for 3 years, then 2 years of a retainer.

my older sister's teeth were too big for her mouth, wisdom teeth were drilled into smaller peices to be removed, 4 permanent molars pulled, she had braces for 6 years or so to correct it.

my parents knew they would need to do it because my dad and all his brothers had it.

my husband has pretty good teeth, but his brother's are horrible, i think he needs some correction at least, even though there isnt and over/under bite issue and he can chew his food, his mouth is a mess and i wonder if he will lose teeth from decay where they overlap.

i'm thinking its a need more than a want, but it depends on the severity of the problem.