Adult braces - dentist said no

GlasweJen

I hate my teeth, I was in an accident as a child and 6 teeth snapped including my upper left 1 - this tooth is capped.

An over view of my problems:
My bottom teeth are misaligned by about 4mm to the right, when I bite my teeth together I have an open bite of 3mm at the front but my pre-molars overbite by 2mm. My top front teeth protrude over the bottom ones by a few mms (roughly 2.5mm).**

My top teeth are mildly crowded, the top 4 sit forward of the rest but that's also because I was a thumb sucker! The bottom are very crowded, my right back molar is missing and that wisdom tooth is also out. My top wisdom teeth are completely impacted and not going anywhere and my bottom left wisdom tooth has partially erupted on its side in the last 2 weeks (previously the dentist said it was impacted into the jaw and would never erupt but it's decided that it wants to), the teeth on this row are so crowded that they're difficult to floss and my sister (dental hygienist) has to frequently remove fragments of dental floss from between them.

I'm getting married and I want my teeth to look good in the photos, they could do with a whiten because I have a coffee habit but my dentist doesn't think orthodontics would work. My sister said she's seen a lot worse being corrected with train tracks and that the main issue would be cost but I'm willing to pay. I know I can self refer to see an orthodontist but I'm scared that they won't be impressed when I turn up and tell them that my dentist doesn't think I'm suitable. The issue was never about orthodontics on the NHS as I'd rather get the ceramics (don't trust myself with the invisible ones as I'd lose them or something)

Has anyone ever self referred to an orthodontist after being told that they're unsuitable and then got treatment? I don't want to waste a specialists time needlessly.

**all measurements taken by myself! I'll obviously get an orthodontist to measure them properly if I pluck up the courage to go to one.

pirateyqueen

Hmmm, that sounds strange that your dentist said you would be unsuitable for braces and wouldn't refer you. Did they say why? Could it be they thought you were after orthodontics on the NHS and you wouldn't be eligible? Could it be that they didn't think your teeth were in good enough condition? (I know your teeth have to be in good nick before having braces as it is more difficult to keep teeth clean and healthy whilst braces are on). Regardless, I think that a private orthodontist is the next step. I'm sure they will be happy to see you without a referral from your dentist. I have spoken to private orthodontists before, before I spoke to my regular dentist and got referred via NHS, and they wanted me to come in to have a look and didn't even ask about a referral.

pinpin

There's quite a few places where I live who offer free consultations with orthodontists. You just walk in after booking a free appointment, and they carry out a short assessment and tell you what you think.
And if there's no free ones where you live, you can always just make an appointment with an orthodontist without a referral. I've done it before

(personally, i'm having my own battle as an adult in trying to get referred to an orthagnathic surgeon which is seemingly a little more difficult)

pirateyqueen

What troubles are you having pinpin? I spoke to my regular dentist who took measurements of my teeth, saw that I qualified for NHS treatment and referred me to the orthodontic department of my local hospital. Do you not qualify for NHS treatment?

GwylimT

I had braces as an adult as my wisdom teeth made both my top and bottom set wonky, I has traditional train tracks followed by clear over teeth retainers which I wear each night.

Coffee stains are likely poor tooth care, your hygienist should be able to show you have to prevent any staining.

welshdent

Just wanted to say that I hear the "wisdom teeth moved my teeth" a LOT but they actually dont. There is usually another reason for this happening and it isnt the wisdom teeth. More likely something called mesial drift.

GlasweJen

Nope the coffee stains are genuinely coffee stains, when I was in getting my transplant the nurses wouldn't give me coffee and the stains never reappeared (my sister cleaned them properly for me on the ward). I came out and went back to 10+ cups a day and my teeth have went straight back to the same colour as before.

My gums don't bleed, I have 2 fillings both related to the chipped teeth accident, one one my left lower 6 and one on the left upper 5. I floss religiously, have a jet flosser for the turned teeth that don't fit floss through and use an electric toothbrush twice a day for 2 minutes a time.

I don't drink fizz, can't drink pure fruit juice, not a fan of sweets, don't take sugar or syrup in my coffee and generally treat my teeth well. I have a mouth guard made by the dentist for sports and another for whitening for when I have a special occasion/can be bothered to wear one.

I'm moving dentist because of a recent house move so I might broach the subject again but I was wondering if what I described seemed excessive for normal orthodontics. There's an orthodontist here who advertises that they also do work for the NHS so I might call them and ask if they can see me privately to get an idea of what's a realistic outcome.

My sisters pointed out that I can't wear a retainer at night because I have a bi-pap machine but surely I can get a permanent one stuck on instead?

mrbrightside842

pirateyqueen wrote: »

What troubles are you having pinpin? I spoke to my regular dentist who took measurements of my teeth, saw that I qualified for NHS treatment and referred me to the orthodontic department of my local hospital. Do you not qualify for NHS treatment?

How do you qualify for NHS treatment as an adult? I didn't know this could be a possibility. I'm going to ask for braces at my next check up, I'm willing to pay for them but just didn't even know this was an option after 18.

pirateyqueen

mrbrightside842 wrote: »

How do you qualify for NHS treatment as an adult? I didn't know this could be a possibility. I'm going to ask for braces at my next check up, I'm willing to pay for them but just didn't even know this was an option after 18.

It's only an option for me as my overbite is bad enough to warrant surgery. As far as I know, orthodontics on the NHS is only available if you also need jaw surgery too.

welshdent

You have to have a severe discrepancy often with a skeletal issue that affects function normally. so for example an "anterior open bite" which is where the front teeth are significantly apart when biting together and thus stopping you "incising" food. Other examples may be when an over bite is so significant that the bottom teeth contact the palate behind the upper teeth.

GlasweJen

Well I called the dentist today and asked to see someone different in the practice for a second opinion. If they give me a good reason that I can't get braces then I'll leave it. I do think maybe the first dentist said no because I wouldn't be suitable for 6 month smile but I want proper orthodontics and not some gimmick. If I don't get anywhere with this I will call the orthodontist direct and ask to be seen privately.