Is my dd being entitled?

It isn’t possible to always prioritise your kids?!

So you had your braces on the NHS, your daughter hasn't even had that opportunity. I would prioritise hers first, the threshold for braces on the NHS now is so high

Not only is it ridiculously high, the criteria has changed so some kids had the initial consultation but by the time they got to the top of the waiting list, they were no longer eligible for NHS funding.

Just to clarify, did the dentist say she doesn't need them or that she wouldn't qualify because her teeth aren't "bad enough"?

Is he also an orthodontist?

Of course the dentist is going to tell you that. They’re looking to make money and Invisalign is a quick + easy buck for them. If your teeth have been fine for your entire adult life then the overbite isn’t going to suddenly cause problems that necessitates having orthodontic treatment ASAP.

If your DD has crowding then that makes teeth harder to clean, more bacteria gets trapped due to the tight spaces and therefore puts her at risk of early decay. Frankly, I’d be prioritising a young teenager’s oral health and self esteem. Her teeth are going to need to last another 70+ years!

The NHS threshold for braces is ridiculously high and not being 'bad enough' doesn't she wouldn't benefit from braces. Since we don't know your or her teeth, it is difficult to say but I couldn't image prioritising my braces over that of my child if we both need (or would benefit) fro. them.

All 3 of my kids have had expensive braces which luckily was mostly covered by insurance. If it wasn't I couldn't afford it. There is an obsession generally with perfect looking teeth I think and I got fed up with orthodontist saying oh let's do this and that for purely cosmetic reasons. At 60€ an appointment I felt it was a money making thing for them! Not sure what my point is, but do your own teeth and feel zero guilt !!! I don't think your daughter is entitled - just wants braces as sure so many of her friends do. This too shall pass! Goodluck

For me the key bit is you’re getting this done because your self conscious about it, no doubt teen dd feels the same way. If NHS won’t cover her dentist treatment you’ll have to have a conversation about how you would be able to budget for it but I don’t think she’s unreasonable to ask.

both my children are likely to need braces and I guess I better start saving based on comments here!!

My dentist recommended that my teeth should be straightened out but I have years of dental history there. I was also given the options of fixed braces/invisalign too as well as having the treatment there or elsewhere so they weren't heavily pushing it.
Invisalign was very effective for me however I was very disciplined in keeping the trays in all day and only removing for meals. Only have to look for threads here to see posters disappointed and also admitting for not wearing them for hours on end.

You went to open days for Invisalign and think that’s a good way to understand whether Invisalign is a good idea for you?

You really ought to go to a dentist who isn’t promoting a particular solution to find out what your options really are and what impact each would have.

OP’s DD is not being entitled and asking for heavily influenced, expensive Invisalign - she’s simply asking for braces to straighten her smile as unfortunately unlike your DD she doesn’t quality for NHS treatment. There’s a difference.

By the way, Invisalign is great and not just a social media trend. DD had it when she was 14.

Well now I know who’s raising all the obnoxious teenagers I come across. Would people genuinely kowtow to a teen who has a hissy fit because they’re not getting something they feel entitled to have.

My DD12 has train track braces on the NHS ( only 6 month wait). She most definitely would have wanted Invisalign because they’re a brand and she is very influenced by anything she sees online ( she couldn’t tell you if they’re any good or not). She’s very brand orientated and if I let her she would be a bit entitled i think. Eg she thinks she should be shopping in Space NK because I bought something there. These are tendencies that I need to continually work on but I certainly wouldn’t be rolling over if she had a strop about it. I would happy to have a sensible conversation and perhaps start a savings plan for treatment because there’s nothing wrong with waiting for something that you want.

I am another one who had removable braces when a teenager and retainers were not a thing. Again, 30 years later and my teeth were starting to impact my jaw and bite so I had Invisalign.
DC teeth were starting to overlap at the bottom and because NHS treatment doesn't cover proactive treatment, we paid for the braces. Only have to look at parents and the grandparent to see genetics were not in their favour teeth straightness wise!!!

I would get a third opinion, as Invisalign will only help with mild to mild-moderate overbite, so if yours is causing dental issues it sounds like it is more than mild. We took independent advice as I was worried they were trying to sell me Invisalign

I am in a similar position to you. I had removable braces about 30 years ago, wasn't given a retainer and now my teeth do not look great and I'm very self-conscious when I smile.

My son's teeth are not perfect and he does not qualify for NHS orthodontist treatment. We've decided to prioritise his teeth as he's a child and he'll have a much longer benefit from treatment than I would. He'll start his (private) treatment later this year. I'mhoping to do mine in a few years time.

You’re going to a regular dentist for Invisalign? Go to a proper orthodontist OP.

Does DD have an overbite?

I can share a bit from my own experience. I have slightly crooked/overcrowded teeth. Not bad enough to need any treatment. But enough that I've ALWAYS been very aware of them and avoid smiling at all costs in social situations. I know it's stupid but i can't help it. It really did affect my professional and personallife. People often think i am grumpy/sad when i am not at all. My mom didn't get retainers for her instead of me, but still, to this day, i am upset my parents never even thought to address the issue.
Then life happened, and like you only now at 40-ish, i am in a position to do something about it. But it would cost a lot and i now have a dd of my own. I want her to have a better life than i did. So i am saving the money and when she needs retainers she can get them right away. So she can show off her beautiful smile to the whole world. Obviously once we win the euromilions, I'll get inivisalign too 😇

Our dentists doesn't do anything other than Invisalign so would have had to do it on referral to orthodontist.
.but yes, we've been REALLY impressed with Invisalign.

At our orthodontist train tracks are £2k, Invisalign are £4k - yours seem very expensive! DD had Invisalign too - we were so impressed

It depends of whether or not the DD would be having braces purley for cosmetic reasons or whether her less than perfect teeth will impact on her dental health in years to come. If its the former then there is no way I'd be paying for it any more than I'd be paying for a boob job!
It's not selfish of the OP to put herself first on this occasion and the DD can pay for her own cosmetic treatments herself when she's earning....