How do you trust a dentist that says your kids need braces?
Understanding that dentists run a business to generate profits, it seems most will recommend braces for kids. How do you know if they really need them? A couple of dentist have said they are necessary due to an overbite, but isn’t a slight overbite normal. When do you know that it’s more of a cosmetic procedure rather than a medically necessary one?
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There are two big reasons for braces. The first is to improve function–like if there is trouble chewing, or if the patient keeps biting his cheeks, or if the teeth on the top and bottom are contacting in such a way that the forces between them are higher than normal, causing wear to the teeth, etc. Also, in super crowded teeth there are more areas that are harder to clean with the toothbrush, so straightening them out can help to maintain good oral hygiene and prevent tooth decay.
The second reason is obviously cosmetics, and although there are "ideal" skeletal profiles that dentists learn about, this is largely up to the patient. Some people are terribly self-conscious, while others are just fine with the way they look and have no interest in changing.
Most dentists recommend an ideal treatment plan with the goal of making your teeth as perfect as possible in both function (which is always the most important consideration) and cosmetics. Unfortunately, the more expensive treatments are often (but not always) the better ones because they take more time and higher quality materials are used. I like to think that for most of us, the money is secondary. A huge part of the treatment plan is also based on what YOU (and your child) ultimately want, and if you are unsure about the benefits to you then you should definitely discuss them with your dentist before you decide if you want to follow through. S/he should also tell you what could happen if you choose not to put braces on at this point.
By getting a few different opinions and asking lots of questions, you should get a good feel for whether you and your child are ready to go through with braces at this point. The decision is completely yours, and all you can really do is just be as informed as you can when you make it.