Teeth Braces

[chickenPsyc]

My 11 year old son was told at his last dentist apointment that as his teeth are so out of shape, he will get a brace earlier than the usual 13. So Dentist said something along the lines of "we'll make you an apointment for 6 months time to see about the brace".

This 6 months is next week. So what will they do? Is this the apointment where they'll fit it? What should I expect?

[EccentricaGallumbits]

Going through this with DD2.

Back in January she was seen by orthodontist who agreed she needed straightneing. then in march she had impressions taken - sort of biting into goo which hardens. Her next appointment is in June to have removable brace fitted. Then after a while they'll probably do train track fitted braces.

[Chunkamatic]

I currently have a brace on my teeth. My first appt was as a consultation where he checked my teeth and we discussed the possible options. Then I had impressions, x-rays and photographs taken. I went back for the fitting appt about a month later.

[Linnet]

My dd has braces, she got them in March. The whole process seemed to take ages,we were referred to the Orthodontist last summer,round about June I think. Dd got moulds taken and photos and x-rays then the Orthodontist had to write to the Local Health authority to state why she needed this treatment and get it approved. Once the approval came back we had another appointment where they did more moulds then DD was refered to the hospital as she had unerupted teeth and they had to be removed before they could do the brace,she also got two teeth taken out from the top to make more space as she was overcrowded. So she got the teeth out in February.

Finally in March she got train track braces on top and bottom teeth. She loves them, most of her friends have got them too. You get to choose the colour of the bands that go in them and you can change them every time you go for a check up, which is every 4-6 weeks. The first few days are painful, she lived on soup and soft pasta. She has been lucky in that the braces haven't rubbed in any way, it's just a bit of a pain keeping them all clean as it's awkward to brush round them. She needs to use disclosing tablets every day, which so far I've only found in packs of 12, so it's costing me a fortune in disclosing tablets but other than that she's quite happy. The difference in her teeth already is amazing and she's only had them 8 weeks.

[TheReturnoftheSmartArse]

Most important of all ... make sure they wear the retainer when the treatment is finished. DD had gorgeous teeth when the braces finally came off, but has been slack when it comes to wearing the retainer and I can now see them starting to cross again. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

[Chunkamatic]

I totally second what TheReturnof... says. Had i worn my removable braces aged 16 after wearing fixed ones for 2 years i wouldn't need to shell out thousands of £'s too have them done privately as an adult!

[RatherBeOnThePiste]

DD was referred by our dentist and went for a visit (aged 12) then was asked to come back 6 months later as she was growing so much, then it was decided she did need train track braces and we made an appointment to have them fitted. Actually they did two appointments, one to stick on the things on her teeth, then two days later she had the wire fitted.

We were lucky because we go a cancellation a week later so were able to get on with it quickly once it was decided that was the way forward. Now she goes every 6 weeks to have the wire tightened.

Once it was decided it was necessary, things moved very quickly. The fixed one comes off at Christmas time then she will have a retainer for a good while afterwards.

She didn't need teeth taking out.

She has to be very careful about thorough cleaning, and has a special brush, and she now goes to the dental hygienist every 6 months.