Braces

Toothsmith

Nataku wrote: »

Am 19 and want to get braces, is it still possible to get them for free at the dentist?

It depends on how wonky they are.

There is an outside possibility that it may be available on the NHS, but even then it would only be 'free' if you were exempt from NHS charges, or had a case severe enough to be treated by the hospital service.

If you just have a slightly crooked smile, I would be expecting to pay.

Has any dentist ever suggested you have braces when you were younger?

elizabee74

It may depend on your area and situation, I started my orthodonic treatment at 30. I am working and getting it free on the NHS,they just said if I'd left it any later I'd have to pay. I am with same dentist I had as a child and my treatment could be said to be corrective as it involves an operation. The orthodontist did admit if I had braces as child it may have made a difference. Go to your dentist and ask. You have nothing to lose, you may get it for free.

elizabee74

I guess I am another rare exception, starting my NHS treatment at 30. 16mm overbite plus possible double jaw surgery, however way things are going my orthodontist thinks I might just need the one jaw And they have been really good with me, I cannot fault them.

Toothsmith

This is an extreme case.

16mm overbite is pretty big.

I take it it's being done through the hospital orthodontic service, with you being under the care of consultants rather than 'mere' specialists?

Toothsmith

You will be getting it free as it's through the hospital, and being done by a consultant.

As I said on the NHS Braces thread, your's is a very extreme case. Less than 0.1% of the population would require surgery to correct a malocclusion.

elizabee74

Toothsmith wrote: »

This is an extreme case.

16mm overbite is pretty big.

I take it it's being done through the hospital orthodontic service, with you being under the care of consultants rather than 'mere' specialists?

Yes it is, i was referred by my dentist, I wish I had done it earlier, as I did not realise the extent of treatment needed, still its one of the best things I have ever done. I think last time I went the orthodontist said it was down to 9mm...

Nataku

You see that picture my teeth are similar, however in the upper left of the picture you can see the right front tooth overlaps the tooth behind. My teeth are like this, but is on both sides. Also the front 2 tooth are angled slighmore forward. So would it take a long time to correct this as all my other teeth are inline. Also when my month is closed i can feel my top teeth arre all further forward than my bottom teeth.

Justie

it will depend on how big the overbite is - to straighten the teeth wouldn't take long but moving them back can take a while and it'd depend how much room there is etc. I had similar crossing on the tooth next to the front one but a very obvious overbite (hard to tell from the pic as it's front on what yours is like) and I have 2 teeth removed (1 each side) and then the front teeth moved back. It took about 3 months to straighten the teeth and then about 9 months to move them back - all treatments vary though from person to person and only an orthodontist would be able to tell you what would be suitable treatment and how long it would take etc. I also had bottom teeth straightened which took another 6 months. With ceramics on the top and metal on the bottom all treatment including retainers etc cost me £2300 just to give you an idea - it's worth every penny though!

Toothsmith

Nataku wrote: »

Also when my month is closed i can feel my top teeth arre all further forward than my bottom teeth.

That is normal.

In an ideal relationship, the top teeth slightly overlap the bottom, both further forward (overbite) and vertically (overjet).

Class II occlusions have a much increased overbite (Think Cilla Black). Class III is the other way round, with the lower jaw being biggest (Jimmy Hill & Bruce Forsyth).

If your teeth are like the photo you pasted, I would be sure you'd need to pay privately for any orthodontics, and I'm fairly certain that most orthodontists would first try to talk you out of having it done at all.

NiceGirl_2

nish wrote: »

...Ive got this gap in the middle of my front teeth I dont want there...

Can you get braces when you are in adult life?! I thought you were supposed to get them when you were developing? Am I better off going for veneers? Wouldnt mind donning the old train tracks for a while if it sorts my mouth out

I have the same problem my daughter's orthodondist on Friday just gone, quoted £2500 for the train tracks on the top teeth only and it should take a year, the new fancy celebrity clear ones(I can't remember what they are called )I was quoted £3000. Hence my search on this site for a cheaper solution. I did not think for years that it was possible now I am excited.