Does anyone know? We spent a couple of years and a couple of bucks on braces for our son. The good news is that they are coming off before Boot Camp, but I was wondering...
Do they allow Recruits to wear a retainer on their teeth? It would be a shame to allow his teeth to move out of alignment. I read on here that if they still have their wisdom teeth, they will yank them at Boot Camp-- is this true? -And do any of you have kids who still have braces and or retainers on their teeth when they arrive a BC?
Thanks.
Replies
I'll add some of this to the Pre-Boot Camp discussion group as well, since it might be something that most people never think about-- I know it never dawned on us that it might be a problem. He has braces currently, and his Recruiter required him to provide a letter from the Orthodontist stating that they will be removed prior to Boot Camp. This letter he had to submit, before they would even schedule him for the physical.
It was the Orthodontist who then brought up the question of the retainer. From her perspective, it would be ridiculous to go through these two years of careful adjustment and then not wear the retainer for some period after getting the braces removed. Even if he could wear it at night it would be better than nothing at all. I'm investigating options.
Who knew?
Hello Jack, Our sailor was not allowed to have a retainer in boot camp. He can have it after boot camp. If they can see the wisdom coming, they navy will take those too...
I don't know about Boot Camp, Jack, but our daughter "now" has braces - following her first deployment on her assigned destroyer, and metal braces are not allowed. The "invisible" ones are, so I would imagine retainers should be okay.
The difference on braces is the metal ones could become a hazard during a deployment, and only a qualified orthodontist would be able to assist the "patient" in the case of a broken wire or any surgery. The Invisalign brand "braces" are easily removable, and therefore are acceptable - EXCEPT the sailor must pay for them themselves even where a medical (not cosmetic) reason is involved.
To all you dads with daughters or sons going to, or already at GL, it is an emotional rollicoaster, but well worth it!
Write your SR as often as possible. I asked my son how important the letters from home where, and he said
"I was ready to quit, untill the letters came". Just keep them up beet, and encouraging. No bad news.