Question: My daughter is nine, but her teeth are crooked, and her dentist stated she may need braces. Right now, she has a space maintainer in hopes of avoiding braces. If she needs braces, would that be when all her baby teeth are out? I see no point in putting braces on baby teeth. Yet that is what her dentist is hinting at. 

Reply: It would be hard to say; sometimes, children get braces while they still have baby teeth. The braces help keep the teeth in place as the adult teeth come out. It would help if you talked to an orthodontist as a consultant. Some orthodontic dentists will offer free consultations, which will be beneficial information for you. Consider consulting your dental insurance carrier to confirm your coverage for braces.