Want braces but can’t afford them

brook2jack

The average length of time for fixed braces is 18 months and adjustments are needed every four to six weeks.
Even aligner type braces will need 8 to 12 alligners plus retainers with associated visits.


Braces are absolutely not suitable for Dental tourism because of the number of visits needed and that’s without any breakages , brackets coming off etc which happen with any brace treatment.

No reputable dentist would do any type of treatment based on just an opg , they need to someone in person.

Also due to radiography rules in the U.K. meant to keep exposure to a minimum , few , if any U.K. dentists would be happy to take an OPG without clinical justifications of their own.

the_gardener_2

brook2jack wrote: »

No reputable dentist would do any type of treatment based on just an opg , they need to someone in person.

Also due to radiography rules in the U.K. meant to keep exposure to a minimum , few , if any U.K. dentists would be happy to take an OPG without clinical justifications of their own.

Not my experience, someone will need to do the OPG. Just looking at flights to warsaw in January 35 pounds return from STN,


There are dentists who do assessments in London for foreign treatment.

Toothsmith

Ok - but what if a bracket comes off your tooth tonight? What’s the cheapest flight to Poland in the next couple of days?

Just what is your ‘experience’?

Even the clinics themselves don’t advertise themselves as places to go for braces! They’re more qwik-fit implants & veneeriology bucket shops.

brook2jack

Because,according to regulations, a dentist has to justify each and every x Ray they take , grade and report on it , it isn’t not enough that someone comes in asking for an x Ray for treatment that will be provided by another practitioner. Especially as an OPG is not sufficient to do a proper treatment plan and needs to be used in conjunction with seeing the patient and doing other tests. Dentists radiation protection training strongly advises against this.

It is a different case if a practitioner gets a written referral for an x ray as often happens when eg an orthodontist is a bit worried about a tooth and will ask the dentist to x ray and treat , as necessary.

Even at £35 a flight the costs for 12 or more visits that a brace may require will soon add up , plus extra appointments for brackets off, broken retainers etc.

peachyprice

the_gardener wrote: »

Just an idea ..........are you located anywhere near an airport where you can get cheapo flights to err Poland or somewhere similar.


You might find it handy if you can get an OPG on an optical disk so that it can be emailed save a trip for the initial consultation

Could work out just as expensive once you've been back every 4-6, sometimes 2, weeks for moulds, adjustments, repairs!

Braces don't just get put on and left to work, not even in 'err Poland'