Childrens' braces....how to plan for the cost?

[mankyscotslass]

Just been to the dentist, and she mentioned in passing that DS1 (8) will probably need a brace for overcrowding, and DD (6) will probably need one for prominent teeth and large spacing.

I know that under new guidelines neither of them will be entitled to braces on the NHS unless there teeth are really awful, so was wondering if any one uses any health schemes to help with the cost? Or am I better just trying to save a little every month?

The dentist did say that we might be best looking at the policies now, before it's official that they need them, but most stuff I found onling like the old HSA don't seem to cover braces.

[mankyscotslass]

Thanks Pixie.

[Batteryhuman]

I agree Pixie. My DS was told at 8 that he would need a brace and sent to the orthodontist at 9. At the time I did not want to let them remove 4 healthy teeth (the NHS suggestion) or pay £850 for the first set of braces with the promise of another £2k later on. So we waited. By 14 his jaw had grown a bit more and his teeth straightened out of their own accord.

[anonandlikeit]

Why, is it a post code thing? Our orthodontist is NHS & no charge for work.

[anonandlikeit]

ds1 has a brace fitted about 6 weeks ago, just to pull his teeth in to better alignment. Not a noticable & def not a severe problem BUT free.
Maybe I better keep quiet when we go back for a check up

[anonandlikeit]

No ds2's teeth don't protrude, he has a very slight overbite (is that the correct term).

[MmeTrueBlueberry]

An overbite in a young child is not a problem as the lower jaw lags a bit in development. When it catches up, there is no longer an overbite or overjet.

It is only a problem if the overjet puts the child at risk of accidental damage, eg during sports. I think that is the >6mm that someone else pointed out.

My DS went for an assessment when he was about 12. He had beautifully curved arches, but an overjet of about 5mm, which did not qualify for NHS treatment. The orthodontist told us his lower jaw would catch up, and sure enough it did. His teeth now, at 18, are worthy of the best orthodontist - but totally natural.

We have found with our children is that you can't really tell until their adult canine teeth come in. It can look pretty grim before then, but the canines can force everything else into the right position.