typical wait for first ortho appointment after referral?

pinpin

I asked my NHS dentist to refer me to an ortho about 3 months ago.
They said they'd send the letter off that day.

Initially, I just assumed I'd get an appointment letter within a few weeks, and after a month or so had passed, I thought mabe she'd forgot to send it off!

I was gonna call her and chase it up and make sure she hadn't forgot, but maybe these things take a lot longer than I suspected? I don't want to appear impatient.

Anyone know how long these things typically take?

brook2jack

Three years locally on the NHS for an orthodontist, varies across the country but typically from a few months to years with years being the norm.

Are you an adult? Normally over 18s will not be seen on the NHS for orthodontics unless their problems are so severe that they may need surgery in addition. If this is the case you will have been referred to a hospital and then waiting lists will vary.

If it is a private referral (most likely if you are over 18) they contact you within a week.

Toothsmith

In my area, there can be a 2-3 year wait between the orthodontist seeing the patient and treatment planning, to the treatment starting. But between me sending the letter and the patient being assessed, generally, it's only a few weeks.

If it was longer, I'd at least hope the patient was sent a letter saying the referral had been received, and giving some indication when the patient might be called.

If you've heard nothing, then ringing the referring dentist to check it's been sent isn't a bad idea. If it has, then ring the orthodontist just to make sure you've not missed anything that might have been sent out, and find out when you're likely to hear from them.

pinpin

Thanks.
I'm over 18.
I have no idea about whether I was being referred to a hospital or a private referral. I got the impression that it wasn't a hospital, but she also didn't mention any money. Confusing.

If it makes any difference, I asked her to refer me as I have a very deep bite and am convinced that my jaws are recessed. Some time ago, a different ortho offered to refer me to an orthagnathic surgeon which I declined (wrongly in hindsight)
So I want to see an ortho so that he can do what he does and access whether i'm a good candidate for jaw surgery or not

Also, whilst i've got you here, do either of you know anything about jaw surgery in Canada? Someone told me that you can get it done over there much much cheaper thatn in the UK, and much faster too (since it'd be private so instead of waiting 3 years to get in braces, and then another few years to get a surgery date and then NHS delays and then finally getting surgery in 5 years, I could get surgery within a year and a half or so)

brook2jack

Orthognathic surgery is a massive undertaking and is always done in conjunction with braces. It is a lengthy treatment most patients will be under treatment for two to three years with regularly appointments to get braces adjusted etc.For this reason you would be mad to go abroad.

If orthognathic surgery is necessary it will be done on the NHS.

If you have these sorts of problems you will have been referred to the hospital service. I would check on the referral but it will be a lengthy waiting list and the treatment will also be lengthy.

pinpin

Thanks, B2J
Yes I know it's a big deal and that it always done in conjunction with braces. I have family in Canada and would possibly spend large chunks of time there if I went through with doing it abroad.

I belong to a jawsurgery group, and it seems that in the UK, people only qualify for NHS treatment if they're completely deformed, usually with a VERY sever underbite, whereas in Canada, their NHS equivilent seems much more sympathetic.
I have a suspicion that my bite will not be deemed bad enough for surgery, although from seeing pics on the private forum of people whose bites are no worse than mine who have had surgery, i'm confident that I could get a large improvement.
It's difficult.

Either way, guess I need to wait and see what they say when I eventually get to see the expert.

I'll shoot my ortho an email to confirm the letter was sent

brook2jack

An orthodontist in general practice will not have a contract to see over 18s on the NHS. You should have been referred to a hospital orthodontist if orthognathic surgery is being thought about.

What happens if your brace debonds or if you have infections around the plates after surgery if you have it in Canada? Teeth move roughly a millimetre a month and you could be wearing braces for a couple of years with monthly/6 weekly appointment in that time. This treatment is such a commitment of time you should only do it in the country you are permanently living in at the time.