does anyone know anything about orthodontist charges please?

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

Hi, I have just wandered in here from the mortgage free board in the hope that someone can help please.

My children (aged 11 and 13 yrs) need to see an orthodontist and my dentist has told me it could cost 'thousands' to get braces etc for them.

Now, I'm not an expert but their teeth don't seem that bad, a bit crooked and 2 lots of teeth in some places and we are on the NHS list so just pay the bog standard charge so I can't understand why it should cost so much.

I believe the charges have gone up lately due to government cost cutting and when the appointment comes through and we get to see the ortho I should be able to find more out (might take 3-6 months).

Would I be better off with an insurance plan?
Thank you in advance for any advice:)

a1969baby

Hi there!

Both my children have had to see the orthodontist, my son 6 years ago, when he had a fixed brace, and my Daughter has just started having her teeth straightened. I get NHS treatment and haven't had to pay for either of them.

However, the criteria has changed a lot in the last year, and you are unlikely to get free treatment unless your childrens teeth are very crooked/crowded. My daughter would have qualified as she has a couple of adult teeth missing (this was discovered at the initial assessment with an x-ray) but I doubt very much whether my son would have!

I don't know anything about insurance I'm afraid!! I expect someone who does will be along soon

xx

Alikay

Two of my childen have had braces - one private, one NHS. DS1's problem was picked up early by xray (he was born with about 10 adult teeth missing in his gums). He was referred to orthodontist at 8 or 9 and has had fixed braces on 2 occasions (age 9 ish and 14/15 ish). The braces moved his existing teeth (milk & adult ones)around to fill his mouth evenly, and with luck his milk teeth will last many years, and he can have implants later if needed.

DD1 had a maverick fang erupting in completely the wrong place, and if it had come through fully it would've messed up her entire upper jaw of teeth. It was a matter of urgency to get a brace on before that happened and since the NHS waiting list was over a year even for initial consultation & assessment we went private. I think it was around £2000, but we could pay about 25% up front and the rest by installments over the course of treatment.

The treatment both kids had was of the same standard, except we had more flexibility with DD's appointments (NHS patients were only seen on tuesdays!). The private treatment was expensive I know, but I'm glad we had it done - both teenagers have nice smiles that will hopefully last a lifetime.

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

Thanks guys, I am resigned to paying whatever it costs as I agree that it is important to look after the kids teeth. I'd better start saving up then!

bunty109

I seriously doubt you will get insurance for a child that will cover the brace, especially if you know before you take the cover out knowing they need one.

My DD has been told she may need a brace but our dentist (private) is monitoring the situation to see if it is 100% necessary. Thing is, teeth may not be that crowded but there's other problems that can be caused in later life such if jaws and teeth aren't right (my aunt had a type of brace in her 70s as she was suffering terrible headaches caused by problems in her jaw)

mae

What about looking at HSA for dental insurance as it covers childern too on your policy and you get 75% of treatment costs back. I'm not sure if it covers braces but worth having a look. Its a very good policy and it doesn't matter if you new about the treatment you need before joining as you only need to be a member for 12 weeks to qualify.
Check out their website and also there are threads somewhere discussing HSA. HTH

angela6834

My daughter was refered to an orthodontist on the NHS and whilst she was waiting for the appointment to come through we recieved a letter saying funded had changed and only the most urgent cases would now be covered on the NHS.

Her teeth are in a terrible state and waited for the initial consultation ( she has three rows of teeth in places!). The orthodontist told us that she would be covered by the NHS. He said otherwise it would have been about £5000. She has had 4 appointments so far and is now waiting to have teeth removed. The whold process started about 2 years ago and she is still waiting for any actual treatment to her mouth.
We are obviously saving with the cost but I would at least think privately you wouldnt have to wait so long.