Braces at Boot Camp?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Christian Berry on June 6, 2012 at 1:22am

It is true, wisdom teeth are pulled during boot camp. My Sailor only had one pulled.

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.

Permalink Reply by Chris H. on June 6, 2012 at 7:19am

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.

Permalink Reply by Scott H on June 6, 2012 at 8:11am

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...

Permalink Reply by Jack Flash on June 6, 2012 at 9:19am

Thanks for all the responses-- the information sharing is one of the things that make this site great!

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?