Orthodontic work and ADHD, sensory issues

[Chicagomom]

Hi! My daughter is 9 and on our last dental check up was referred to an orthodontist due to findings on an X-ray. A palate expander was mentioned. Very concerned as due to my daughters sensory issues I don’t think she would tolerate metal (expander, braces) in her mouth. Waiting to see the orthodontist to find out more, but very concerned in how we will manage this. Daughter is also sensitive to flavors and tastes and even basic things like taking Tylenol (which I’ve seen is recommend after braces adjustments) send her into a meltdown. Just looking for any others experience with this. Thanks!

[ASLCODATerp]

Interested to see what others have to say as well. I have an 8yo with combined type adhd and sensory issues. She has had issues with dentistry in general. She will definitely need braces! Her sister younger than her is 5 and has more severe sensory issues. Too early to tell if she will need braces.

[Onthemove1971]

We have held off on any dental procedures. When he needed to have teeth pulled ( they were growing as a 2nd row in front on the bottom) we paid privately to have he put under. There was no options, we tried laughing gas and it did not work. Our child has been through enough. If our child needs dental work he can do that as an adult and pay for it himself.

[ADHD_DAD]

My son had Invisiline because we were similarly concerned with his somewhat hypersensitivity to some things including mouth pain. These managed to both straiten teeth and fix bite and palate issue. He would complain of pain for about a day when he would get a new set, but really it was quite easy. Look into it. What we found was that the cost was about the same as standard braces but the price was for the devices not the orthodontist "labor." Consequently, many orthodontists won't recommend them, but I do. I know my son would wholeheartedly recommend them if asked. These were "managed" by his orthodontist. Not self serve or ordered by internet or something. However, we had to ask orthodontist. Not offered. Good luck.

[MeadowLane5]

My daughter currently has a palate expander and surprisingly doesn’t complain about it being uncomfortable. At first we needed to daily adjust the expander and eventually it was glued in place. I thought it would hinder her ability to eat certain foods but she has managed to work around that. We did wait til she was a bit older ( she’s 12 now) to begin orthodontic work for the same reasons you mentioned. Her sister is more sensitive to the idea of braces so she will be getting Invisalign. As mentioned by adhd_dad, the price is basically the same as regular braces. We received a $500 discount for having an additional patient from same household and that paid for the difference.