You can also look into the "Invisilign" invisible braces---it is a plastic piece that is molded to fit your teeth---you wear it as often as you like--the more you wear it, the quicker you will see results. They say that most will see great results and be done with them in less than a year. My dentist offers a "generic" version of it and is cheaper than the original "Invisilign". I am doing this now. I just started it this week. I never wanted braces--plus they were too costly. I am 32 years old and have HATED the gap between my 2 front teeth. I am always covering my mouth when I smile--I hate to have my pictures taken---and I am so embarrassed about the gap. I would have your mom check into this...The way my dentist is charging me----$60 for the initial visit to see if you are a good candidate for this procedure---then $755 for the start of the procedure--this covers the process of getting the mouthpiece made as well as the mouthpiece itself---then I will be paying $45 every 3-4 weeks for a check-up---then after progress has been made and the mouthpiece no longer fits--I will be charged another $225 to have another one made---then continue with the $45 until process is complete. My dentist refers to this procedure as "tooth movement". Once the procedure is complete, they will "bond" my teeth, so that they will not move back out of shape. My total cost has been estimated at around $2000. Whereas, I did check into Invisilign and it was going to cost $4000. So, it is cheaper to go with the generic. It really helps if you have dental insurance. My insurance pays 50% of all charges until I have reached $1000--that is the maximum they will pay lifetime for orthodontic treatments. I tried this process a few years ago with another type of tooth movement process--but was not able to stick with it because I was allergic to the nickel material in the mouthpiece---I hung in there for about 5 months--and was VERY satisfied with the results and was ready for the dentist to end the procedure and bond my teeth--even though the gap was closed--I also have an overbite as well, and the dentist wanted the overbite to be perfect as well, therefore, would not apply the bonding material. (I didnt care about the overbite, I just wanted the gap closed!!!!!) So, I gave up and quit the procedure. My mouth stayed broke out daily with 5-6 ulcers--I couldnt eat, drink anything, my mouth was sooooo sore that I was totally miserable---so I gave up on it. I was soooo close--but it just wasnt worth it. Since stopping, I didnt have any more problems with mouth ulcers. This piece that I have now is just pure plastic---no metal material of any kind---so I anticipate wonderful results in a few months--and I JUST CANT WAIT!!!!!!