Advice on braces - whether or not have them fitted

Nessynoo

Go for it. I had braces for 11 months when I was 17. My confidence soared. It's one of the best decisions I ever made.

poppyolivia

I was offered braces when I was a nipper but I didn't want them, then in my 30s (Im 34 now)..I got them, upper and lower fixed, had to lose a tooth, I have a bit of a gap at the side but its still worth it..wish I had it done in the first place!

I'd say go for it...it is scarey like really scarey but after the first initial fitting its plain sailing!

does she have friends she can talk about it with?

ailuro2

poppyolivia wrote: »

does she have friends she can talk about it with?

yes, indeed, I think it's quite the hot topic of the moment, one of her friends has a lower jaw that sticks out further than her upper jaw, so some serious work needs done there, also one of her best friends has a retainer at the moment in preparation for getting a fixed brace. I think braces seem to be quite a big thing in their class, just as someone getting glasses would be worthy of lots of chit-chat.

DH is not for it as he sees it as purely cosmetic, thinks she is beautiful as she is (which of course she is:)) and doesn't want her to go through all that pain just for vanity. He has voiced his opinion but will support her whatever she decides.
If her teeth were much worse he agrees that she would need it done. I think that's where we are struggling, because her teeth really don't seem too bad.

GrammarGirl

freakyogre wrote: »

From a different viewpoint, I wasn't offered braces when I was younger. My dentist eventually suggested it when I was about 17 (they seemed ok to me before this), but by this point I didn't want them at that age, plus they would have cost a fortune as I was over 16.

I hate my teeth. The bottom ones aren't too bad, but my top teeth are crooked and I really wish I had been given the opportunity to get them sorted when I was younger. I am going to speak to my dentist when I am next there to see if anything can be done, but even if it can, I think the cost of it will be horrendous.

Yes, this is my story too. I visited an orthodontist when I was 13 as my top front teeth were crooked. They told me I didn't need braces as it was a 'purely cosmetic' treatment. My teeth are much better now than they were then but they're not as straight as I'd like them to be. My brother and sister both had braces and have perfectly straight teeth that I'm very jealous of!

I'd recommend getting braces at a young age, when appearance is less important and they're free!

joesaunt

When I was 11ish my dentist recommended a lots of work as my mouth was over crowded. He removed 6 teeth and made a bit more space and when it was time for the brace, my mum changed her mind and refused to let me have it done. The only reason I can think of was 31 years ago (when I was 11) you were given an anaethestic to have the teeth removed, which was a gas, and after having the teeth out I was sick (very violently) on the bus on the way home and I think for some reason she thought it would happen again. I am now 42 and am hoping to save enough money for braces now. My teeth are crooked and although not as bad as some, I feel uncomfortable. I am sure it owuld be worth it for your daughter to have a great smile when she is older, rather than be self concious and try to save the money later in life when she can have it done for free now.

If you have been offered the funding and it is costing you nothing think yourself very lucky. In our area funding is incredibly hard to come by.

Whatever you choose, good luck.

roshydoshy

i had a brace fitted for cosmetic purposes when i was 15 and my orthodontist (wrongly i think) took it off after only 6 months - my teeth went back near enough to the same position they were in before (not extreme but i was aware of it), and that was even with wearing a retainer ?

Toothsmith

Why was it taken off?

Orthodontic treatment can be 'abandoned' if the orthodontist feels the patient is not cleaning around the brace well enough. If you leave a brace on a kid who's not brushing properly, it can cause a lot more damage.

ailuro2

I'll pass that info along to my DD, she has used an electric toothbrush for years now, as said previously has not needed anything at all, not even fissure sealing.

I said to her this morning if she decides to go ahead she will have my full backing,and of course though her Dad thinks it unecessary he would support her decision too. Which of course leaves the decision entirely in her hands. She says it's very tough as the hardest decision she has to make till now is what socks to wear! Bless her, it's not easy being young, is it?

:eek: at having 6 teeth out then not getting the braces. Poor you,joesaunt!

roshydoshy

i definitely cleaned my teeth enough - and I've never had a filling or any trouble. He said that that timespan was all i needed!! even when we queried it, he said that some fix better than others, i had them tighted once in the check up inbetween so there was no time for them to fix in position?? I'm not really sure but I have never met anyone who had them on for a similar short space of time. So i guess what i was trying to say is to get some recommendations for an orthodontist beforehand

welshdent

I had a brace on for approx 11 months and its been fine ever since. I didnt need more.