Teeth straightening, Inman? Social6? Help/experiences please!

Happyfrog_2

Hi everyone, I'm Lindsay.


I've wanted to have my teeth straightened for 10 years and I've finally decided to go for it. Things seem to have changed a lot since I last looked into it years ago and I'm getting a bit lost as there are so many options and not much information available on costs.


I only want the top teeth doing - the middle two stick out a little and the two next to them slope inwards a little leaving me with bunny teeth! My main criteria are cost and speed so from the research I've done I was thinking that the Inman system might be suitable for me? I'd love some advice from anyone who has had teeth straightening done as an adult (I'm 33) to help me decide what system to choose and how to choose a dentist. Do prices vary a lot? Should I just phone round for the cheapest price? Anything you can tell me about your experiences and advice would be most welcome as I don't know anyone who has had this done.


Many Thanks.

brook2jack

Ask your dentist to recommend an orthodontist. Do not see a general practitioner who can only offer one or two systems.

Do not chose on price, you will only get this done once, get it done right.

Each system has its limitations in what it can achieve in terms of tooth movement, and the only person who can tell you what the best system is for you is an orthodontist who can see you, your teeth and x Rays.

Costs will vary according to system used, how long treatment will take and if only one or two jaws are done. £1500 will be a simple ish fixed appliance cost , upwards of £3500 for a complex aligner case (such as Invisalign).

Gold standard treatment is still fixed (train tracks) braces , all the aligner and aesthetic 6 type systems have limits on what they can achieve and compromises. But you need to see an orthodontist and budget £100 to £150 for the initial treatment plan visit.

Toothsmith

You may only *want* the top teeth doing, but a mouth is a whole structure.

It might be that you can just have the top teeth straightened - but it has to be looked at globally, and to achieve a stable end result, both *might* have to be done together.

As brook says though - an orthodontist is the best place to start. Ask your general dentist who they would recommend.

Happyfrog_2

Thank you both very much for your replies!


I have asked my dentist for advice but she didn't feel able to recommend anyone. I also live in a very expensive area so assume I will have to travel to get value for money. I appreciate that choosing by price is NOT the way to go but I still want a good deal! I have no idea what other criteria I should consider when choosing an orthodontist, hence the post!


When I saw an orthodontist 10 years ago they seemed to think just doing the top teeth would be acceptable, although of course that may have changed by now. She also said I wouldn't be suitable for train track type braces because of how often I fall on my face/get smacked in the face (horses, hazard of the job!). That's fine by me as I understand they are quite slow and speed is a factor for me.


If anyone else can help answer the questions in my original post or can add their experiences/advice, that would be great.

welshdent

Fast movement of teeth isn't advised as you can do all sorts of damage. Resorption of the roots or irretrievably damaging the blood supply of the pulp of the teeth leading to nerve death. Orthodontics shouldn't be viewed as something fast. Fixed appliances have a long track record and plenty of evidence behind them. Certainly more so than aligners IMHO. There is bound to be an orthodontist within an hour or so of you. Where does your dentist normally refer to??

beckle_82

Hi, I had an Inman aligner last year for my three centre bottom teeth which were twisted to about 80 degrees. It cost about £1,500 and took just under 3 months.
The process itself was a little awkward, you speak with a lisp until you get used to having the retainer in and it is just visible so I was always justifying it to people.
It wasn't painful as such, just a little uncomfortable. I went to the dentist every two weeks and she filed down the teeth at the sides to make room for the rotation. Taking it out to eat was easy after a few days but not something you want to be doing in public, so also lost a stone during the process without trying as I wasn't snacking.
The end result was really quick and effective. There are still some teeth more around the sides which couldn't be fixed by the Inman aligner (it can only work on the front teeth) but you can't see these when I smile anyway. To get these fixed would require the old school "train tracks" and 18 months of work.
Overall I was really pleased with my Inman treatment but appreciate it's not for everyone. I've also seen a huge drop in the number of migraines I get which apparently can be caused by the pressure of over crowding in the jaw bone.
The one thing I wasn't really prepared for was the little piece of wire they permanently attach to the back of your teeth to stop them rotating back once the treatment has been done. But other than that everything was explained clearly and I was able to pay in instalments.

rainbowfairydust

i have just (literally) had braces fitted on Tuesday. I wanted only top but orthodontist recommended top & bottom. It has took me a while to get to this stage (nearly a year in fact) - i had to get my gums in tiptop condition before the orthodontist would put braces on and also had to have root canal.

My initial appointment was last june - its took from them to finally get my teeth/gums sorted out. It has already cost me around £600-£700- however this is probably because the root canal was tricky and eventually had to be done by a specialist with super dooper equipment.
The orthodontist(and my dentist) also wanted to see that i could keep my gums as healthy as possible for 6 months as obviously the teeth are under a lot of stress with the braces on.

It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this stage - i am pedantic about my teeth and gums. I time myself whilst brushing and watched videos on how to brush properly.
This last couple of days - its been a 10 minute affair sorting my teeth out - i take off the wax i put on when i am sleeping. Then brush for 2 minutes then floss between my teeth plus floss between the brace brackets. Then use a fluoride mouthwash (as recommended by my dentist & orthodontist). I am also now brushing my teeth at lunch time (and flossing - but not using mouthwash).

I am glad to finally have the braces on but they are uncomfortable - my teeth are sensitive to touch. I have been on a soft food diet (ie yoghurt, custard, soup) as i am unable to chew and it feels very very uncomfortable eating. That said i am glad they are finally on -I have wanted this for a long time.

Good luck if you go ahead - dont be thinking its an easy process

Toothsmith

rainbowfairydust wrote: »

I am glad to finally have the braces on but they are uncomfortable - my teeth are sensitive to touch. I have been on a soft food diet (ie yoghurt, custard, soup) as i am unable to chew and it feels very very uncomfortable eating. That said i am glad they are finally on -I have wanted this for a long time.

They have only been on since Tuesday though!

It does get better!

FBaby

I've opted for the good old fashion traintrack treatment, however unsightly and unpleasant it is, and that I'll have to bear it for 18 months. My main concern with the Inman system would be how sustainable the results are. My issue was with overcrowding and therefore had to have two teeth taken out to make room. It will take time for the teeth to get back into their proper position and even longer to make sure that they stay that way for good (retainer). I am not an orthodontist so don't understand the science behind it, but I just didn't trust that quick fix system and worried that after a few months, I would be right back where I started.

At least with the traintrack, I know that the results will be permanent (I will have the retainer fixed at the back, so no worry about not using it!)

Sally22_2

Its not been mentioned here yet but I had the Six Month Smile treatment as an adult (I was 27 at the time of fitting)

I had braces as a teen and didn't keep up with the retainer afterwards so I had a gap again and spent 10 years hiding my teeth, not smiling and generally being very self conscious.

I only had braces on the top row of teeth although now I wish I had gone for the bottom set too which would have only been approx £500 more.

From memory it cost me around £1700 all in. I had to have a filling and X-rays etc before hand. I also had my teeth whitened which now I have retainers for top and bottom teeth, I can continue at home whenever I like.

It took 4 months for my teeth to be straightened, and I now have no gap. I do have a fixed retainer behind my top teeth and I had a retainer I wear at night as well.

I dont regret it at all. I can PM a before and after picture if you like

KARO

Someone who really should have had braces as a child or teen.. :eek:



I think they fixed them quickly, for the show and have possibly stuck a load of veneers on, but they do at least look more normal in the after picture. I have never seen teeth that bad in all my life, poor woman!


Regards money, I do think it is a shame that there is such limited NHS funding if someone's teeth are very unsightly. It does affect your life and your confidence. However, as they say where there's a will there's a way, and possibly some people can save up or take out loans or similar to get their teeth fixed.