Question: I am 16 and I really need braces since I have crooked and somewhat gap teeth.  I really hate my teeth but my mom does not get dental insurance though work and says she can not afford to get me braces.I thought there would be special dental plans for minors that come from a low income household.   Where are they so I can get my mom to let me have the braces I need.

Reply: You may want to research dental schools and dental clinics to see if you can get braces there. They are normally much cheaper then just going to an orthodontic dentist.  You may also want to review dental HMOs insurance plans and or dental discount plans has these plans to help make orthodontic services more affordable

Yet with that said, it is hard to say though what your mom can and can not afford. Even if go can get braces at a lower cost. Therefore you may want to keep that in mind too.