# Elective procedures (orthodontic, cosmetic, ear piercing)

**When should we allow braces, ear piercing and other elective procedures?**

Which non-essential medical or cosmetic procedures you would allow for a child, such as braces for looks, cosmetic work or ear piercing.

In short: Parents choose between 3 main approaches: Medically necessary only; Standard orthodontics; Cosmetic allowed. Evidence: your call. No outcome evidence picks a winner. Preference, culture, money and logistics decide. Best settled: school age.

- Area: Health, body and toileting
- Evidence: Your call
- Best settled: School age
- First published: 2026-10-03
- Last updated: 2026-10-05
- Page: https://www.raisingyourchild.com/topics/health-body-and-toileting--elective-procedures-orthodontic-cosmetic-ear-piercing

## Elective procedures: what are the options?

1. **Medically necessary only**: You agree only to procedures a doctor says are needed.
2. **Standard orthodontics**: You agree to ordinary braces and similar treatment.
3. **Cosmetic allowed**: You allow cosmetic procedures such as ear piercing.

## Elective procedures: what does the evidence say?

**Your call.** No outcome evidence picks a winner. Preference, culture, money and logistics decide.

Flagged by court templates as a decision parents must settle; no evidence gathered

Sources:

- [Maryland Courts](https://www.courts.state.md.us/sites/default/files/import/family/pdfs/mdparentingplanpacket.pdf)

## What else is worth knowing?

Some procedures are chosen rather than needed, such as braces for appearance or ear piercing. The question is who decides and at what age the child's own view counts. Permanent changes raise the stakes.

## Questions to ask each other

- Which procedures would we only do if medically needed?
- At what age would we let our child decide for themselves?
- How would we respond if our child asked for something cosmetic?

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General information, not medical advice. Two parents can each answer this and compare: https://www.raisingyourchild.com/explore?cat=health-body-and-toileting&topic=health-body-and-toileting--elective-procedures-orthodontic-cosmetic-ear-piercing