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Braces

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  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,104 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You can't 'top up' NHS treatment. That is specifically forbidden.

    You either have NHS, or pay full price for private.
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • LadyMorticia
    LadyMorticia Posts: 19,899 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I started orthodontic treatment at 17 on the NHS but due to family problems, mental health issues etc I lost contact with my orthodontist.

    We didn't really get on to be honest and so that made going back even more stressful and I have agoraphobia so just stepping foot out the door is a struggle most days.

    I haven't had anything done with my braces for so long. How would I go about getting them removed? How much would it cost?

    I've seen some places in the internet saying how to remove the braces yourself but there is no way I'm going to do that.

    Thanks. :)

    xx
    2019 Wins
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    £2019 in 2019
    £10/£2019
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,104 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    How long have they been on? And when did you last see a general dentist?
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • LadyMorticia
    LadyMorticia Posts: 19,899 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Toothsmith wrote: »
    How long have they been on? And when did you last see a general dentist?

    Wow.That was quick.lol. :)

    Been on for 4 years. Last had them tightened almost a year ago. Prior to that I hadn't had anything done to them for a year and half.
    Um..last saw a general dentist about 3 and a half years ago but the dental practice went private so everyone who was NHS had to either become a private patient or transfer to a different dentist and I never transferred which I know is very bad of me. I'm terrified of dentists. I'm not scared of orthodontists though which is a bit weird. :/ Now my mental health has worsened and I'm not sure how to go about getting another NHS dentist. Where I live I think there is a long waiting list.

    xx
    2019 Wins
    1/25

    £2019 in 2019
    £10/£2019
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,104 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You need to get in to see someone.

    Braces aren't designed to be on long long long term!

    They trap plaque and irritate the gum. If you don't get them seen to, you will probably develop quite serious problems.

    A year isn't that bad, but don't keep putting it off.

    You MUST see someone. It may cost you money, but if you don't it will cost you your teeth.
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • LadyMorticia
    LadyMorticia Posts: 19,899 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Toothsmith wrote: »
    You need to get in to see someone.

    Braces aren't designed to be on long long long term!

    They trap plaque and irritate the gum. If you don't get them seen to, you will probably develop quite serious problems.

    A year isn't that bad, but don't keep putting it off.

    You MUST see someone. It may cost you money, but if you don't it will cost you your teeth.

    I don't mind saving up money to get them dealt with. I just want healthy teeth. Before I had my braces my teeth were horrible. They were overcrowded and I had two abscesses in two of my bottom back teeth so had to have them extracted. My teeth are a lot straighter now but I just want them to be strong and healthy. :)
    2019 Wins
    1/25

    £2019 in 2019
    £10/£2019
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,104 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    First step is just to go and have a check-up with a normal (?) dentist.

    He/she'llbe able to check things and ensure no damage has been done. All your braces will have been doing for the past 8 months or so is to just hold your teeth steady - like a retainer. If you're near the end of your treatment anyway, then that's no bad thing - PROVIDING everything is reasonably healthy.

    The general dentist will be able to assess things, and either send ou back to your original orthodontist, or refer you to a different one.

    You MUST get them looked at SOON though (Like in the next couple of weeks).

    Start looking for somewhere to go NOW.
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • elizabee74
    elizabee74 Posts: 11 Forumite
    Well after 2years 9months my braces come off tomorrow, I had a forward sliding osteonomy (not sure how its spelt) in October. Luckily the top brace had pushed top jaw back sufficiently so i escaped double jaw sugery and all done on NHS. :T
  • Poppy9
    Poppy9 Posts: 18,833 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    DD (age 13) has recently had her braces on her top teeth. Bottom teeth to follow in a couple of weeks.

    teeth1.jpg

    It is costing us £2500 as she didn't qualify for NHS treatment as her teeth were not severe (ugly:D ) enough. Her top didn't really need doing but it was only £700 cheaper to have just the bottom done and they might have needed treatment in the future so we though it was better to do it all in one go.
    :) ~Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone.~:)
  • LadyMorticia
    LadyMorticia Posts: 19,899 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I'm getting my braces off in a month and a half. :D

    I can't wait. I thought I might have to pay to have them removed but my ortho said that because my treatment started before my 18th birthday that I don't have to.

    I can't wait to be metal free.

    xx
    2019 Wins
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    £2019 in 2019
    £10/£2019
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