Incredibly misaligned teeth on adult

[MrTrellis]

Any dentists or orthodontist who are willing to listen to my wow?

I’m female, almost 50, if that has a bearing on anything. My front teeth have at least a 6mm overbite. They are not centred to my lips. I’ve had bottom teeth removed when I was 11. I didn’t have a bottom brace and now they have grown wonky and to one side. My tongue pushes my top teeth and my bottom jaw is narrow.

In my 30s I was offered nhs dental treatment but as it would involve breaking my jaw and wearing a headbrace I declined.

Now my teeth and jaw hurt and I’m feeling more self conscious than ever. My current dentist is private and won’t re-refer me to the nhs. I do have my nhs notes which say they would be happy to see me in future but I guess 15 years on is too long.
I’m in London if that helps.

If I have to live with them then so be it but if I could get them sorted how to start? I’d be worried that privately they’d just take my money and not do the right thing and I don’t really have the money anyway? How much would we be looking at?

Ah I can't help on costs etc

Just wanted to say my dentist said teeth have an annoying habit of moving forward as you grow older (particularly for women - curses) so my slightly wonky teeth suddenly looked way more wonky as I got older so sadly they probably are more noticeable.

What did tour dentist say? Is it having an effect on how you eat etc?

I ended up doing invisialign which I don't think you can get on the nhs. But it might be worth having a chat to discuss options.

Can you find an nhs dentist near you?! They are literally like hens teeth here. Or could you dentist refer you to a dental hospital?

Sorry not a massive amount of help but just wanted to say I feel your pain. Hope this bumps it for someone more useful

Oh thanks isitsafe. Maybe they are looking worse because they’re moving forward. I’m quite thin so they probably also look worse now the fat and muscle on my face has decreased.
I’ve always had trouble eating so I suppose I’m used to it. I can’t bite, I tear at food.
I did wonder about Invisalign and if it worked and I could take out HP I’d consider it. I’m not sure about either though!

I’ve just taken a photo but it’s too awful to post and possibly identifying.

If you were offered surgery then invisalgin is unlikely to cut it.

You might get your teeth straighter but its not going to fix your overbite and it might end up looking worse, invisalgin is not really for proper orthodontics is more for mild aesthetic issues. Theres no reason your private dentist can't refer you back to the NHS hospital that offered you treatment though. Although I can't see how much will have changed, they might be able to mask the overbite but generally if you were offered surgery it is still surgery you need. And its a pretty big operation to have

It's incredibly difficult to get nhs funding as an adult, you do sound as if the issues are much more than just cosmetic. Your dentist can't refuse to refer you back into the NHS. Do they also operate as an NHS practice, do they think it's cosmetic rather than functional?

Thanks dishedup.
I don’t think I could do the surgery as it sounded brutal. I hoped there may be a middle path.
Why would Invisalign make them worse?
I’m SO angry with the orthodontists who took out the teeth when I was a child and left me with no follow up care.
I wonder if I can self refer to the hospital?

No they’re just private now. They were NHS when I was referred to the NHS though. I love my dentist for other reasons but I may look at changing practices.

I’ve cared for people who had the surgery. The surgery itself is quite involved, the patient is under for a long time but actually the recovery is surprisingly fast. I’d do a bit more homework before you completely dismiss it. Sees if there’s an online chat room where you can talk to people who have had it done?
I definitely think you should get another NHS referral. Could you try switching to a NHS dentist first? Ask your Gp maybe?

I had jaw surgery about 10 years ago for my overbite (15mm). Waiting times are long so if you're interested it's worth getting a referral to see what the maxillofacial surgeons think anyway. I know there were certain criteria you had to meet to be considered. I had braces for about a year before and 8 months after. The first few days after surgery were horrible but apart from swelling which takes a while to subside it wasn't that bad. Liquid diet was boring but at the same time it took a while for me to get my appetite back anyway. If you have any questions feel free to ask .

Oh thanks no one.
I coyld potentially move to a debits I know that does nhs and private. I’d trust them. I don’t know if I could get on their books as an nhs patient.
There are nhs dentists near me but I’ve tried all of them and I’m afraid I don’t trust them. Because I’ve been seen by hospital dentists I know I don’t need 30 fillings!
A chat room is a good idea, thanks.

Hi Op,

Can't really help on how to refer to nhs for op but I can tell you about my experience.

I had my top jaw broken when I was 18 years old, it involved them breaking my top jaw, grinding down the bone and reattaching with two L shaped brackets running along the side of my nose and across the top of my jaw. My jaw was wired shut however this was with elastic band which went between my top and bottom braces.

Honestly it sounds / looks a lot more horrific then it actually was. I was back at work 2 weeks after the op as I was that bored the most annoying thing was to find foods I could get around the bands with.

What do you mean an orthodontist took out your teeth without follow up care?

If you have been offered surgery you have a skeletal discrepancy. No removing/not removing teeth is going to sort that.

Some of my bottom teeth were removed. I had no braces. I was given an expander for the top teeth only. From memory I wore it only intermittently and then after a year I was discharged. All my orthodontic treatment was over by the time I was at secondary school.
Thanks for everyone’s input. It sounds like a horrific operation but I appreciate those who say it’s not!
I imagine the nhs has other things to worry about than my teeth right now but I will make a start by looking for another dentist and going to find a forum.