Can I get braces as an 11B?

2018-08-26T23:34:01-04:00

Would I be eligible to get braces if I’m a 11B? I’ve heard that I can and can’t. Would anyone be able to give me a legit answer? Thank you in advance.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2018 12:00 AM

2018-08-27T00:00:56-04:00

Back in my time, 65-73, the answer was no.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2018 12:06 AM

2018-08-27T00:06:07-04:00

Back in my time, 72-75, the answer was no.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Aug 27 at 2018 12:06 AM

2018-08-27T00:06:25-04:00

When I was assigned to a TRADOC unit the dentist said that I couldn't get them because my teeth weren't bad and I only wanted them for cosmetic reasons. If you get braces and are deployed or are on a long exercise it's difficult to properly clean your teeth and if your braces need an adjustment or are damaged you may not have access to an orthodontist. I finally got my braces after I retired. I was working in a jail while I had them and wore a mouth guard when I helped or dealt with an unruly inmate. Best thing to do is to check with a dentist, he/she will be able to tell you if you can based on the condition of your teeth and the current regs regarding braces.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2018 12:20 AM

2018-08-27T00:20:22-04:00

Has nothing to do with your MOS. You can if you want to pay for them. Otherwise, if your teeth are bad enough, and your post has an orthodontist, you may qualify for braces.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2018 1:01 AM

2018-08-27T01:01:54-04:00

Just start saving your money. It’s better to pay a civilian dentist the day after you get out of the Army, even if it’s a few years down the road.
Good luck

Response by SPC William Weedman made Aug 27 at 2018 2:16 AM

2018-08-27T02:16:23-04:00

When I was AD (1990) at Fort Hood we had several soldiers who went offpost and paid for braces out of pocket. When Saddam rolled into Kuwait, they were lined up outside the XOs office and told if they were tapped to deploy they had to get the braces removed ASAP or they could be court martialed for missing a movement if the braces not removed (in an attempt to be non-deployable).

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Aug 27 at 2018 5:22 AM

2018-08-27T05:22:09-04:00

I find that a quite interesting question...I'm well aware of am orthodontic technique called Imvisalign, I'll try to fmd a site on it, I'm sure you'd see it if you searched for the term...the object is t obviously, as the name implies, to make braces imvisibe, by placing wiring on the interior surface of the teeth, as opposed to the exterior...now, I'm not a dentist, I never was, mor a physician, I was only doctoral level allied health, though I'd wanted dentistry and read a good deal about it, as well as observed it, we shut my license sevl years ago due to total perm disability...my point them is this...if you can find whether you might be allowed Imvisalign by ztricare, or if might be allowable on referral to VA dental by you, then I'd ask, certainly, b all !eams...I'd expect civilian hospitals wherever you're assigned, or nearby, could certainly handle you, if your installation !right authorize it through your on site dental clinic...you !right need a referral to a full active duty hospital with oral and !axillofacial surgery (OMFS), which I should think might well also he able to handle such a case...about removing and/or cleaning Imvisalign, I obviously don't have a clue, however, I've long been aware of the technique, though I have no idea if you'd be a suitable candidate for it, obviously...it'd depend on the level of misalignment, also, what other consults you've sought, and from which facilities, and, whether Imvisalign could be allowed for your assign!EMT and/or duty citc!stances....that being said, I'd certainly ask for an OMFS or outside orthodontic consult in your case, to get a complete workup, which would likely I'd expect also include a panoramic dental CT, in all likelihood...I'd be most eager t hear more, it was a thought provoking question, hope the information was of some use, if you'd care to chat furhter, I'd of course be willing, however, !y knowledge of sucv procedures is obviously limited, of course, as I'd said....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Aug 27 at 2018 5:24 AM

2018-08-27T05:24:48-04:00

https://integrateddental.com/service/invisalign-tooth-straightening/?gclid=CjwKCAjwwo7cBRBwEiwAMEoXPIzR2wpFTqnTFUoegMVTazNOmlwNqmc4Gm2Hl8r3CN0QUOJCe9B-PxoCcFUQAvD_BwE

This is a site on Imvisalign, I'd seem a phone near us, I expect the manufacturer is elsewhere, however, you could always call and ask, obviously, for more info....

Invisalign Tooth Straightening | Integrated Dental

Information about Invisalign tooth straightening at Integrated Dental. Call 516-677-9010 to schedule an appointment today.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Aug 27 at 2018 5:28 AM

2018-08-27T05:28:00-04:00

https://www.amsus.org/

Call them and ask for their dental staff, and explain your problem, there the main professional body of clinicians...I assure you they'll have dental staff, ask about orthodontics, oral surgery, and Imvisalign, and for help to find where it:s done....

AMSUS

AMSUS, The Society of Federal Health Professionals, is a non-profit member-based educational and professional development association serving the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security, federal health professionals and their families, our industry partners and advocates for advancing health for all- particularly through interagency collaboration. AMSUS supports the federal health professional...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Aug 27 at 2018 5:29 AM

2018-08-27T05:29:24-04:00

https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/

They're part of the NIH, call them as well....

Advancing the nation's oral health through research and innovation | National Institute of Dental...

Advancing the nation's oral health through research and innovation.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Aug 27 at 2018 5:31 AM

2018-08-27T05:31:16-04:00

http://www.USUHS.edu

This is the service med school, I'm sure they'd have dental and oral surgeon staff there, as well, plus, tenure near all the DC service hospitals, Army, Navy, and USAF, draw on all of the svcs for info....

Uniformed Services University

The mission of the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences is to educate, train, and comprehensively prepare uniformed services health professionals, scientists, and leaders to support the Military and Public Health Systems, the National Security and National Defense Strategies of the United States, and the readiness of our Uniformed Services.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Aug 27 at 2018 5:32 AM

2018-08-27T05:32:17-04:00

http://www.USPHS.gov

They have a whole dental group, and are active duty, I'm quite certain your installation clinical staff could draw on tjem as well....

www.USPHS.gov

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Aug 27 at 2018 5:34 AM

2018-08-27T05:34:39-04:00

https://www.ada.gov/

Call them, the have a toll free phone, [login to see] , I believe, ask about orthodontics, oral surgery, Imvisalign, and their military dental group, as well....

ADA.gov homepage

The ADA Home Page provides access to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations for businesses and State and local governments, technical assistance materials, ADA Standards for Accessible Design, links to Federal agencies with ADA responsibilities and information, updates on new ADA requirements, streaming video, information about Department of Justice ADA settlement agreements, consent decrees, and enforcement activities and access to...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Aug 27 at 2018 5:36 AM

2018-08-27T05:36:23-04:00

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army_Dental_Command

You could always call tjem directly, and ask, I'd suppose...I'm quite certain there's a site, or you could get the phone....

United States Army Dental Command - Wikipedia

The U.S. Army Dental Command, known as DENCOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Medical Command that provides command and control of the Army's fixed-facility dental treatment facilities, preventive care, dental research, development and training institutions, dental treatment to ensure the oral health and readiness of the force, a trained dental force for worldwide deployment, and structures for evolving missions of the Army.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Aug 27 at 2018 5:40 AM

2018-08-27T05:40:14-04:00

https://www.va.gov/dental/

Call [login to see] , and ask directly where you, as active duty, could get a referral from your installation to VA dentistry for a consult...your fscility would obviously have to makemtje referral for you, whether orthodontics, oral surgery, or Imvisalign, however, you could at least ask the toll free staff where the facilities are near where you're assigned, I should think...?

dental

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Aug 27 at 2018 5:41 AM

2018-08-27T05:41:13-04:00

As I'd said, that was a quite interesting question, I hope tat was all at least of so!e help...I'd be !most eager to hear more, whenever convenient...

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 27 at 2018 6:16 AM

2018-08-27T06:16:51-04:00

That is up to the ortho. Also, if you decide to go off post you need to have permission from the Army, as braces can affect your deployment status. There are no brace adjustments in the field and in combat.

Thank you for your service.

Response by CSM Eric Biggs made Aug 27 at 2018 6:58 AM

2018-08-27T06:58:18-04:00

The army put braces on me in 2003 and I had them on during combat ops in Iraq, which I do not recommend by the way.

Response by SFC Harry H. made Aug 27 at 2018 8:43 AM

2018-08-27T08:43:04-04:00

Yes, you can enlist in the military with braces. Unfortunately, you can’t ship to initial military training while wearing them. You will need a letter from your ortho stating they will be removed prior to departing for training.

Braces are considered a safety hazard because they can snap or loosen, which may result in sharp, painful edges or obstructions. In the Army, you won't always have access to an orthodontist to fix or repair the issues that can arise. Braces also require routine tightening and adjustments for a healthy mouth, and the Army can't guarantee the dental care necessary to accommodate braces. Retainers are allowed, but only if you have already completed your orthodontic treatment.

Just like if you still have your wisdom teeth prior to deployment, there is a good chance they will yank them as well.

Side note: National Guard and Reservist may actually wear them if the Commanders blesses off on them, but would need to be removed prior to deployment.

Response by SPC Elisabeth Goerz made Aug 27 at 2018 9:19 AM

2018-08-27T09:19:11-04:00

In most cases you will have to pay for orthodontics yourself. If there is a question about deployment and care during deployment I would recommend that you check to see if you’re a candidate for Invisalign.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Aug 27 at 2018 10:44 AM

2018-08-27T10:44:48-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member I always wore white braces with my Dress Blues.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2018 10:55 AM

2018-08-27T10:55:07-04:00

The folks at DENTAC should be the best source of information on this issue. I wouldn't put too much stock in any discussion here because folks have different results and outcomes. The only way for you to find out the truth is to contact your dentist.

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Aug 27 at 2018 1:10 PM

2018-08-27T13:10:34-04:00

Yes you can get braces, you can also get LASIK eye surgery.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2018 7:56 PM

2018-08-27T19:56:05-04:00

You can, but your teeth need to be super messed up and once you have em you are non-deployable. At least thats what they told me at the dental brief.

Response by SPC Burt Squirtz made Aug 27 at 2018 9:43 PM

2018-08-27T21:43:14-04:00

I served in 1st CAV as 11B in 05-08 and i was not allowed to get braces. The reasoning was because of field exercises and deployment status. Chain of Command did not want me missing training for dental appts. Could be different now and/or for your Unit.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2018 3:54 AM

2018-08-28T03:54:20-04:00

CPL Carranza,
Setting aside personal opinion here are the facts. The fact of the basic necessity in your question is yes, you most certainly CAN get braces and the MOS isn't a deciding factor in that fact. Now when you actually analyze your question there are a few things to keep in mind. The first thing is that Orthodontics as a specialty is not something the Army has on hand and generally speaking the Army will not cover any cost associated with that type of procedure unless there is some documented emergency that will justify it (ie..Massive overbite that will have long-term issues). Additionally, if you do move forward with the procedure and pay out of pocket you will be coded in a non-deployable status. There is only one reason for that and it's because braces require ongoing care that can't and will not be provided while deployed overseas in a combat zone. Furthermore, your leadership is required to counsel you about this fact and explain the COA's if your unit was called to arms. Keep in mind that unless this procedure was done based on a medical emergency your CMD can require you to remove said braces if deployment pops up. Here is the good news, if you do decide to pay out of pocket you do have options. If for the slight chance you do have to deploy after you complete the process all that is required is the removal of the wires which is the easy part. After your return, you can have them put back on and proceed. Also note that basic field problems generally won't last long enough for any interruption with the corrective process. Hopefully, this info helps. Good luck!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2018 7:48 PM

2018-09-06T19:48:33-04:00

If you wanna be nondeployable.

Response by CPL Daniel Mcdonald made Sep 11 at 2018 4:05 PM

2018-09-11T16:05:53-04:00

You won't need braces ... 11b is already a panty dropper ... We get the fat ones close to base though