my daughter is 6 years old, and has an underbite, her orthodontist recommends a chin cup worn at night only for about 8 months to correct her bite, this is because she is still young enough and her jaw/teeth are still growing and can be easily molded. If we wait until she is a teenager, she may need braces and or jaw surgery. I am wondering if anyone has experience with this, I am concerned that she won't like it and that it will be uncomfortable for her possibly interfering with her sleep, and I am dreading this, not to mention it is very expensive. Please share your stories and or experience with your own children in regards to this issue ..thank you so much moms.
I appreciate everybody's advice, and I agree with you all, I am going to take my daughter next week to get fitted for a chin cup, and I am going to help her feel as comfortable as possible and stick to wearing it every night in hopes to save her from getting braces at a much older age..thank you all, I feel better about my decision now.
Hi! Although I haven't had experience with my son I do work in the dental field and they really like to treat them younger because it really is less traumatic when they are younger and makes things easier in the long run. It's amazing what kids get used to when they have to. Maybe get a second opinion and if that orthodontist also reccomends it I would do it. T.
I have no experience with a chin cup, but my sister-in-law had an underbite, and wore braces for years trying to correct it. Last year, at age 18, she had to have corrective surgery, they broke her jaw in multiple places, it was then wired shut for a number of months, her face was incredibly swollen throughout, and the entire shape of her face is different now. Apparently these drastic measures were deemed medically necessary because without it, her lower teeth would eventually get to the point of not coming in contact with the uppers, causing more problems.
Sounds like your orthodontist is on to something! Good luck!
Hi Gabrielle
I don't have any experience with the chin cup but I do have a friend who is currently in braces for a severe under bite. I think if she had had this option open to her when she was a kid she would have jumped on it. The braces are uncomfortable. When she first had them done it was very painful because they were cutting up the inside of her mouth. She has to go and have them tightened every so often which gives her a headache. She also has to be careful of what she eats because it gets caught in her braces. She eats a very healthy whole foods diet normally but now has to pick and choose what she can eat because of the braces.
I think 8 months of discomfort with the chin cup now would be a much better option than a year or 2 of braces during the cranky teenage years!! :)
I had to wear a chin strap back in the day for my underbite. I believe I wore it for a year (at night) and then I got braces.. I was about 11 or 12 when I wore the strap and then 13 when I got my braces on. It didn't interfere with my sleep at all from what I recall. I actually still have a slight underbite today as I didn't keep up with wearing my retainers after I got my braces off... so all I can say, is for her to do everything the dentist/orthodontist tells her to do! I was also told I might need jaw surgery, but it never did come to that. Good Luck!
I had to wear a chin cup when I for I believe almost two years starting when I was about seven. I had a pretty bad underbite, but now I have almost perfect teeth. I never had to have braces, but I did have to have metal retainer type mechinism (non-removable) for about a year following the chin cup. You could not see it in my mouth- it looked like a little metal box on the roof of my mouth and attached to my back teeth. It only hurt a little when it was tightened. As for the chin cup, I never had any problems sleeping with it. I remember feeling a little embarrassed when sleeping over any friend's houses, but I told my friends that "it was better than having to have braces that everyone could see." Your daughter may not like it at first, but she should get used to it and it will simply become a part of her bedtime routine. Good Luck!
I had to wear a chin strap for about 2 years from ages 9-11 I think it was. It was then followed by a palate spreader which was worn on the roof of my mouth and every night I had to insert a little key and turn it to make my top jaw spread. After that it was braces. To answer your question,I would recommend getting all you can out of the chin strap as to avoid the other options if possible.
I am a dental hygienist & a mom to a 15 yo girl in braces. While I am not familiar with this specific 'chin cup' that you are referring to, I do konw that working WITH your child's growth, rather than trying to fix something after-the-fact is a better way to go. Getting a second opinion is always a good idea too. Ask your dental provider for recomendations! Whichever route you do take, it is critical that your child (& you in the enforcement & follow-thru) Faithfully follows the treatment plan!! Good Luck!
