Should I/can I refer myself to an orthodontist?

helend

Hi, I would be grateful for any advice.

I had a brace for 2yrs about 12yrs ago now, and all the teeth have moved back to their original positions. I asked my dentist, nicknamed Dr Nick (off the Simpsons) by my OH:eek:, at my last check-up if he would refer me to an orthodontist to see if I can get a brace again, but he said that I should get a tooth removed, file down my fangs and then crown the lot costing about £1800.

It seems strange to me to remove a perfectly healthy tooth, and cover 5 perfectly healthy teeth with crowns.

So.. should I/can I refer myself to an orthodontist? Most importantly - how do I go about finding a good orthodontist? The fabulous orthodontist who treated me when I was a teenager retired not long after I completed my treatment:(

TIA

Toothsmith

You can self-refer, but it would be better to go through your dentist.

It also seems strange to me to crown teeth with nothing wrong with them. I'd talk to your dentist again

£1800 to damage your teeth irrepairably and have teeth that will need replacement crowns every decade or so vs £1800 - £2500 to have your own teeth, undamaged, straight again.

One question is why did they move back again? Some results are just unstable, but these are usually picked up by orthodontists before they start. If they've moved back before they may just move back again.

helend

Thanks Toothsmith, glad it's not just me that finds it strange!

I had the brace removed when I was 18 and wore a retainer for a couple of years. I can't remember when the teeth started moving, but on my wedding pics at 21 my teeth are still straight, my orthodontist retired when I was 21/22.

I would much prefer to have my teeth straightened by brace and afterwards would it be possible to have a permanent retainer to stop further movement?

My dentist seems very reluctant to refer me to an orthodontist and was quite insistant about what he could do for me with crowns etc. How would I go about finding a good orthodontist? There are no family or friends who have had this type of work done who can recommend one to me.

Toothsmith

Try a different dentist? Are you otherwise happy with this one?
Giving a full range of possible treatment options is all part of getting informed consent, so if he's denying you full information, that's not right.

Any friends with kids who see an orthodontist? That would give you an idea of who's 'nice'.

welshdent

I have a friend studying ortho in liverpool I can see if they know of anyone with a good reputation. As usual toothsmith giving excellent advice

helend

"Try a different dentist? Are you otherwise happy with this one?
Giving a full range of possible treatment options is all part of getting informed consent, so if he's denying you full information, that's not right.
Any friends with kids who see an orthodontist? That would give you an idea of who's 'nice'."

Thanks Toothsmith, I was neither happy or unhappy until recently, as I've never needed anything more than a check-up. The conversation I had with him at the check-up has put me off a lot, he told me my teeth weren't very nice "well gee, thanks" and then made the above suggestions. I will look at changing dentist.
Unfortunately (for me) no friends with kids who are seeing orthodontist either.

"I have a friend studying ortho in liverpool I can see if they know of anyone with a good reputation. As usual toothsmith giving excellent advice "

Welshdent - I would really appreciate this, thankyou.

BTW any ideas as to how much I can expect to pay for a consult? There are a couple of flashy dental practices with websites who give free consults but I have sneaking suspicion that the actual treatment would be more expensive?

System

My 2 children who are now in their early 20's both had braces followed by retainers for a couple of years and in both cases their teeth have moved and are no longer straight. It seems a waste of NHS money if the initial treatment doesn't offer a permanent solution and £2000 odd to try the brace again is an awful amount of money to raise.

My eldest daughter also has what looks like a butter mark on one of her front teeth which has bothered her for such a long time but our dentist told her that it was a perfectly good tooth (all her teeth are in excellent condition) and did not need anything done with it. That was until she turned 18 and for the past few years they have been offering (at a price) cosmetic treatment to cover/remove the mark. She's still a student so that won't be happening for a while.

brook2jack

In recent times the thinking on retainers has changed and the time span has increased for wearing them after treament. For many cases people are advised they will have to wear retainers for life, or will have wire retainers cemented to the back of the front teeth.

spinme

At the advanced age of 50 I've just got braces. I was referred to an orthodontist by my dentist who was worried that one of my front teeth was being pushed out. I'll be in braces for 20 months followed by fixed retainers.

Toothsmith

I'm about to refer a lady approaching 60 for a consultation with an orthodontist.