Brace advice wanted!

Darkangel

Hi,

I'm getting braces and freaking out slightly about it.

I originally went to a dental hospital because of the free treatment but they are insisting on metal braces.

I don't really want the metal ones so I was looking into ceramics or invisible ones. Only problem is I don't know how effective they would be for the state of my teeth.

I have a underbite, a couple of root canals and 2 crowns! The orthodontist said he would have to remove a tooth and move them around as I'm missing one!?

Does anyone know the cost of the treatments? I know it's dependant on how much work I need but a ball park figure would be helpful. I was quoted around £3500 for the invisible ones but would it be cheaper if I went out of London?

Thanks in advance!!!

Toothsmith

If you don't want that treatment then you would have to get referred to an orthodontist out in practice.

Orthodontists in practice are 'specialists' as opposed to the people you see in hospital who are 'consultants'.

It is possible that if your problem is severe, then only a consultant should treat it - but if the reason you went to hospital was just the cost, then it's quite likely a specialist could handle it. Some consultants work out in practice though, so it may be worth asking the person you're seeing if you could have the ceramic brackets even if it meant seeing him/her privately.

The extractions would have to be done by a general dentist (your usual dentist) and he would probably charge a private fee for that if your ortho was being done privately. At the hospital, it would all be taken care of 'in house'.

Personally, I would just have the metal braces and be proud of them. Even 'invisible' braces aren't really invisible - so you may as well just be a happy brace wearer. It's not that uncommon to see adults in braces these days - I'm sure the regular 'proud' brace wearing MSErs like choccyface & co will be along any minute to let you know how wonderful brace ownership is!

Whatever you do though, don't go along with a treatment you're unhappy about.

stef240377

My children are currently under going treatments to straighten their teeth. At the minute 2 of them have different styles of removable appliances. What i have drummed into my kids is the fact that yes braces of any style are inconvienent/ugly etc etc but what results they can give. Surely for the sake of a couple of years you can forgive this metal work knowing the wonderful effects you will receive from it? My very vain daughter is lucky for the time being she only wears hers at night but the other option if this fails is to have an operation to realign her jaw because her over bite is so severe. I told her many celebs dont get those pearly whites through genetics but surgery or similar procedures to what she is going through now.

Darkangel

Thanks,
Surgery was also an option to correct my underbite but that again scares me and unfortunately I can't afford to take time off work to recuperate. The orthodontist seems to think I can get away with it but would still need to remove a tooth. I also think he'd prefer me to have it all done at the hospital as I make a great teaching case!

I know it's my vanity dictating my decision but I am already quite self conscious and want to look at other options before committing.

Princess_Jane

I'm 30 at the end of the week and should be getting my braces off soon after my birthday.

They were a pain at first, but now I hardly notice them, and a couple of lads I know have confessed they actually find braces quite hot. Odd.

The only things I wasn't meant to do was drink coke or eat chewy sweeties.And I did have to take a toothbrush with my everywhere as I was concerned about having brace face.

Apart from that it's honestly been fine. I was supposed to wear them a year, but after six months the doctor says I can lose them, and I'm so glad I went for it.

My teeth look great - I really notice other people's smiles now.

Toothsmith

Darkangel wrote: »

Thanks,
Surgery was also an option to correct my underbite but that again scares me and unfortunately I can't afford to take time off work to recuperate. The orthodontist seems to think I can get away with it but would still need to remove a tooth. I also think he'd prefer me to have it all done at the hospital as I make a great teaching case!

I know it's my vanity dictating my decision but I am already quite self conscious and want to look at other options before committing.

This sounds very like something that only a consultant should be dealing with.

With teaching hospital budgets as they are, I think you're pretty lucky to be in the position that you are - about to go ahead with treatment - so I wouldn't make too many waves. It would be OK to ask the consultant if there was a more 'aesthetic' option, and that you would be prepared to pay for it. He may well do private work outside of the hospital. But If he gives you a price, then it would be 'take it or leave it'.

If you start driving yourself up and down the country looking for the 'best price' you may well not find a specialist prepared to take it on, and in doing so you may well loose your place where you are.

Think hard, but don't dither!

newfoundglory

I think my dentist is going to say i should get braces. I think you've been quite lucky to find yourself getting treatment at a dental hospital for free! I remember going to see a hospital consultant when i was quite young and they weren't sure if they could avoid surgery! This is probably why i've been so scared of dentistry.

I had been looking online, and noticed you can get lingual ones which go behind your teeth.... not sure ipersonally could handle having metal up front....but its about 4000-5000 per arch or 7000-10000 for both.:eek:

Darkangel

newfoundglory wrote: »

I think my dentist is going to say i should get braces. I think you've been quite lucky to find yourself getting treatment at a dental hospital for free! I remember going to see a hospital consultant when i was quite young and they weren't sure if they could avoid surgery! This is probably why i've been so scared of dentistry.

I had been looking online, and noticed you can get lingual ones which go behind your teeth.... not sure ipersonally could handle having metal up front....but its about 4000-5000 per arch or 7000-10000 for both.:eek:

I am lucky but I always knew that if I went to a dental hospital they would snap up the chance to take me on as I know what a state my mouth is in! I would have to do the 2 year stretch, no getting out of that. I do keep telling myself that it's only 2 years but there is still no guaruntee that my teeth will be perfect with metal braces because of my lower jaw sticking out.

I wouldn't consider lingual oes because of the price but I keep hoping that ceramics will be cheaper than the invisible.

tirednewdad

you can get the lingaul braces but they irritate the tongue so much. You have to put up with vanity above comfort or enjoyment of food if you have the lingaul ones on the bottom. They are more comfortable on the top though.
There are studies going on at the moment which initail evidence shows that the lingual braces have less tooth movement- therefore the treatment is likely to take longer