Adult braces - dentist said no

Toothsmith

GlasweJen wrote: »

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.

I notice in your first post that you seem to be working towards the deadline of your wedding.

I don't know when that is - but you should think of your teeth for the long term and don't base your decision on whether the treatment choice will be finished in time for the big day.

Go for the option that will give you the best long term, most stable, and safest result.

If the treatment isn't finished in time for the wedding, then just remember the joys of Photoshop!!

Your photographer will quite easily be able to give you your perfect smile on your wedding photos - just like all the models in magazines get! (They all use Photoshop for the pictures!)

He will be able to straighten them, whiten them, and even mask out braces if they are still in place on the big day (My son had braces erased from a big family photograph a few years ago)

So get everything done properly, taking however long it needs to get a good result, and if it's not all perfect on your wedding day - then cheat!!

GlasweJen

Thanks tooth smith, my wedding isn't for another 2 years so not in a rush. I would rather have straight teeth in the long run

FBaby

Jen, just a thought, you mention your top teeth being overcrowded, which might very much mean that to go for orthodontic treatment, they might need to take a couple of teeth out. Could your health history mean that this is not recommended?

Only trying to think why your dentist would have come up with such a definitive answer.

For info, I made an appointment with a private orthodontist (who also does NHS treatment for elligible children) and got a free consultation and then payment plan. I had to go to my dentist to have two teeth taken out, they did it on the NHS, although not sure if that is standard treatment?

GlasweJen

FBaby I don't think so, I got an impacted wisdom tooth out in a regular dentist appointment with no problems after the transplant when I was much sicker. The tooth that's grown in recently is also coming out in a dental appointment with the regular local anaesthetic. They grow in sideways and can't be brushed properly so they can't stay in.

Tater

Obviously everyone is different but I currently have fixed braces and self referred myself to the orthodontist.

I just rang up and booked a consultation, I had to pay for this but it was then taken off the treatment (so essentially free if you had the treatment). The consultation was very thorough, photos, xrays etc. and then all my options were explained to me.

My teeth were so bad that I was offered surgery on the NHS but then you have to have the fixed metal train tracks, you can't have ceramic train tracks. I didn't want to have visible braces on the top so I opted for private treatment, and the surgery sounded horrendous with broken jaws etc which I thought was a bit extreme!

I now have fixed train tracks on the back of my top teeth so they are not visible at all. These are brilliant and made specifically for your teeth. And I have ceramic ones on my bottom teeth as your can't really see them and this makes it loads cheaper!

It's definitely not a quick fix, mine will be on for around 2 years but 18 months down I can't believe the difference, they look absolutely amazing. It also hasn't been fun. I had to have 4 teeth removed which was horrendous for about a month after and it's painful after they have been tightened, now around every 8 weeks.

So self referral definitely can be done, and my orthodontist has been amazing. It really isn't cheap but worth every penny IMHO.

I hope that's a little helpful - sorry if it's not!!

pirateyqueen

Tater wrote: »

Obviously everyone is different but I currently have fixed braces and self referred myself to the orthodontist.

I just rang up and booked a consultation, I had to pay for this but it was then taken off the treatment (so essentially free if you had the treatment). The consultation was very thorough, photos, xrays etc. and then all my options were explained to me.

My teeth were so bad that I was offered surgery on the NHS but then you have to have the fixed metal train tracks, you can't have ceramic train tracks. I didn't want to have visible braces on the top so I opted for private treatment, and the surgery sounded horrendous with broken jaws etc which I thought was a bit extreme!

I now have fixed train tracks on the back of my top teeth so they are not visible at all. These are brilliant and made specifically for your teeth. And I have ceramic ones on my bottom teeth as your can't really see them and this makes it loads cheaper!

It's definitely not a quick fix, mine will be on for around 2 years but 18 months down I can't believe the difference, they look absolutely amazing. It also hasn't been fun. I had to have 4 teeth removed which was horrendous for about a month after and it's painful after they have been tightened, now around every 8 weeks.

So self referral definitely can be done, and my orthodontist has been amazing. It really isn't cheap but worth every penny IMHO.

I hope that's a little helpful - sorry if it's not!!

Can I ask if you are still having the surgery or just going with the braces? I have a large overbite and I am under the impression that that can't be corrected without the surgery, braces will just straighten my teeth. Is it the same with you?

GlasweJen

Thanks Tater that's really helpful!

I don't want the typical American/Hollywood smile, just straighter teeth and to be able to bite food with my front teeth, at the moment if I try to bite into a sandwhich i need to either use my molars or use my finger to push the meat up onto my teeth to get bitten through - it's embarrasing when I'm eating in a cafe!

FBaby

I think it is time to ignore your dentist and make an appointment with a reputable orthodontist and see what they say and go from there.

Tater

I'm not having surgery, just the braces. I've had them on about 18 months and the difference is incredible! My overbite was so bad it wasn't really an overbite anymore, they were coming out diagonally forward! When I bit together I could get my entire tongue out of my closed teeth!

Sandwiches were my nemesis! Especially ham or anything with lettuce! I had absolutely no bite, only two molars near the back met, so I can no sort of 'ripping' action, I would break sandwiches with my hands in to small bite sized pieces, in fact my front teeth were absolutely pointless. I can now eat sandwiches normally. And my top and bottom teeth actually meet when I bite together.

My orthodontist told me they were so bad he wouldn't be able to get them as perfect without the surgery but I didn't mind. I also didn't want Hollywood teeth, just functioning ones! But actually I think they look perfect now, even my orthodontist is surprised at how good they look, and I get others coming in to see as not many get to work with the Harmony braces that go on the back of the teeth, as most just deal with children on the NHS.

I would definitely recommend and it's definitely given me more confidence when eating in front of other people as it used to be quite embarrassing!

brook2jack

As you said you were in an accident , six teeth were snapped and a front tooth is crowned it may be that the teeth are not suitable for braces, particularly if the front tooth is root filled and post crowned and if there are other root filled or root fractured teeth. Teeth can also become "ankylosed" after an accident, that is they become anchored to the bone and won't move.

If you have active gum disease or decay you may also not be suitable for orthodontic treatment.

If you have an "interesting" medical history you may not be suitable for orthodontics.

You should ask your dentist why you are not suitable for orthodontics , or seek an opinion from an orthodontist.