DD 13 dental problems

[amyt250190]

A few weeks ago we visited the dentist for her 6 month checkup and the dentist has said that because of her overbite she may need braces but they may not be effective. I am very confused as many kids have overbites pretty much just like hers and they were straightened within 2 years with braces... should I switch her dentist and see another professional? Opinions?

[dementedpixie]

Is he referring her to an orthodontist? They then decide if braces are required and whether they would be effective

[B19M]

Well at 13, there is no "may" about it. She either needs referring for orthodontics or not.
The specialist orthodontic will be much better placed than the General Dentist to advise on treatment outcomes.
Hopefully, she's been referred? Children typically spend about 2 years on an ortho waiting list; if they get referred too late, they miss the opportunity to have NHS orthodontics ( providing they fit the criteria & are in a part of the UK that has NHS orthodontic provision
Good luck !

[dementedpixie]

It took dd about 5 years before her teeth were 'bad' enough to qualify for treatment. Now she needs teeth removing to encourage a tooth to come in as she still had a baby tooth blocking its path

[NoLoveofMine]

Is he referring her to an orthodontist?

Or she.

[dementedpixie]

I thought op had said he in the first post which is why i put he. My own dentist is female so i dont expect them to be male. Sorry if I offended you!

[NoLoveofMine]

Not at all; my mum's a dentist and aware of these things but still defaults to "he" a lot of the time in terms of various jobs - I just notice it a lot and it gets to me because it's such an outdated assumption, wasn't an attack at all!

[Plummer88]

My daughter is 12 and had her brace fitted in March. She has an overbite at the top which was 9mm. She qualified for NHS treatment but the waiting list was over 2 years so we went private for it.

She's had to have two adult teeth and 3 baby teeth to make room but fingers crossed for beautiful teeth in a few years.

[StephanieAteMyLunch]

The sooner your daughter gets referred the sooner she can join the nhs waiting list.

My own son was referred as his jaw was misaligned. After 2 years of being on a 3 year waiting list his jaw actually aligned itself! But they wanted to start the ball rolling early enough because of the waiting list.

If we had paid for the braces ourselves (which we were willing to do if it was needed) it would have cost £3500 for the duration.

[Plummer88]

Why so much?! My daughters private treatment is £2200 for the duration of the treatment and her teeth were classed as the most severe.