Broken retainer - having trouble getting new one...

loulou123

I wear top and bottom retainers on my teeth after having braces and jaw surgery approx 5 years ago. I had all the treatment on the NHS at my local hospital.

Last weekend I snapped my lower retainer, so on Monday called the hospital, they have said its not down to them to replace my retainer as I've been signed off from their care and to call my dentist.

So I called my dentist and they said they can do it, but only on a private basis as its counted as cosmetic...I need to have an initial appointment, then one for impressions, then the retainer made at the lab, then a fitting appointment to check its ok - all of these appointments will be private and although they couldn't give me an exact cost, said it'll be several hundred pounds!

I just can't afford it, but need to wear my retainers (was told by surgeon at hospital I'd need to wear them every night forever, to prevent teeth moving back.)

So I don't know what to do, I understand for most people braces as an adult is more likely to be a cosmetic thing, but for me it was medically necessary (as proved by NHS paying in 1st place.) I'm quite happy to pay NHS charges for retainer, but can't afford private. I've superglue my retainer together for time being, but its not fiting quite right and my jaw is stiff in morning (im also a grinder.)

Sorry for the long post, anyone got any ideas?

brook2jack

The problem is since 2006 only orthodontists in specialist practices are allowed to provide any brace treatment including retainers. No orthodontist I know of has a contract to provide treatment to over 18s so , in effect, they cannot do any treatment on over 18s. Even if they could the NHS charge would be £209 in England.

So effectively you have to have retainers made privately as hospitals now tell everyone they cannot provide retainers.

The cost of retainers will vary according to what type you need, a simple retainer (pull down) may cost £75 but complex retainers may cost much more.

Retainers can sometimes be repaired but NOT IF YOUVE SUPERGLUED! Superglue stops the labs being able to repair retainers or anything else.

So the short answer is you will always have to budget for paying for retainers every few years. Its not fair but that's how things are.

Toothsmith

Number one, don't wear a poorly fitting retainer - as it could easily move things in the wrong direction.

When did you last go to your dentist? From what you write, it sounds like they wan to do an initial check up for you, which suggests to me it's been quite a while since you last went?

Why not ring round other dental practices? Especially if it is a while since you've been. Making a retainer isn't usually a complicated proceedure (I don't know if there are any particular complicating factors for you?) and generally a set can be made privately for between £75 - £150 depending on type.

But - the dentist needs to know everything that is going on in your mouth, so that he can be satisfied that a new retainer is the appropriate treatment, and that nothing else is going on in there. (No point making a new retainer if there are lots of cavities and/or rampant gum disease going on) so if it's been a while since you've been seen or if it's a new place you go to, then a thorough examination will be a necessary part of the overall package.

loulou123

Thank you both, I go to the dentist regulary every 6 months and last went in July for a check up and was given a clean bill of health. So I do have my own NHS dentist, they just won't see me for this on an NHS basis.

I'm not sure if I have any "complicating" factors, I had my braces on for 3 years from 2004 - 2007 and in the middle of this I had double jaw surgery - top and bottom jaws, I still have the plates and screws in my jaw too, and a 2nd operation as my jaw was still out of alignment after the 1st, but not sure if this complicates things retainer wise...

This is the 2nd time I have broken my retainer - in exactly the same place, so I'm wondering if I grind my teeth worse on one side and this causes the weakness in them. The last time was about 2 years ago and I called the hospital and they got me in, redid impressions and made me a new one at no cost. So I hadnt even considered I'd have to pay this time in all honesty.

If I'd known this, I would've saved some money in case it happened again, but I really can't afford the money at this time, so I'm stuck as to what to do. Last thing I want is to screw my teeth up again.

Thank you for all your help, I will try and beg the dentists to let me pay in installments or I guess have to get a credit card to pay it.

rachhh

Just a note for anyone else with retainers still under NHS care... before they 'sign you off' ask for a few spare retainers to be made. Not sure if every orthodontist does this but mine did at a cost of £25 per retainer.