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Original poster

Braces for 14 year old. Private cost. Where to start?

36 replies

ArmitageShanked · 04/04/2023 22:45

My daughter has constantly dicked around by our NHS orthodontist since COVID. We are very lucky that we have a wonderful NHS dentist.

Twice now she has had her x-rays etc and twice now they have failed to tell me or our dentist that she doesn't qualify due to poor oral hygiene. Both times it took me to chase this up.

Our dentist is not only insulted, but also shocked as how they came to this conclusion as she said her teeth are fine.

So... Orthodontist booked us back in for today. My lovely dentist saw her yesterday to make sure her teeth were scaled polished and perfect - no excuses basically!

After the appointment, I asked how long will it take to hear that she has been accepted for treatment (explaining that they've already wasted 18 months of her time). I was expecting 2 or 3 weeks... They only need to give a yes or a no.

Nope 9 months!

She's in pieces. It's destroying her confidence, the dentist said it's one of the worst cases seen.

So I'm looking to go private.
I'll have to scrimp every penny and am unlikely to get finance. I don't work due to disability. I'll try and do anything though.

I'm guessing I'm asking if anyone has had braces for their child privately how much did it cost, and how did you go about finding an Orthodontist? She will need the fixed metal braces due to the position of her teeth.

I'm going to call the dentist tomorrow. They would be the ones removing unnecessary teeth (she has no room in her mouth). I'm hoping I can work with both them and privately.

This is all new to me. I'm just looking for costings and where to start. I was in tears for her this afternoon.

Thank you.

OP posts:
AiryFairy1 · 04/04/2023 22:52

Not sure how much the metal braces are as Dd getting them on NHS, but her orthodontist quoted around £5000 for top and bottom ceramics.

They should offer a payment plan.

VanCleefArpels · 04/04/2023 22:53

Both my kids had orthodontic treatment privately. One more extensive - involving palate reshaping with a plate and then top and bottom train tracks over a period of 4 years, the other more light touch cosmetic tweaking with top and bottom train tracks for 2-3 years and then a permanent lower retainer. The package included quite extensive after care with night time plastic retainers replaced a couple of times.

Each cost north of £5k, we paid monthly over the whole period (overlapping). It felt like we were funding the orthodontists pension 😉

Catmummyof2 · 04/04/2023 22:54

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14 year olds Dental health
Inca22 · 04/04/2023 22:57

Similar experience. Went private for both my kids and similar cost to PP.

Fatkittythinkitty · 04/04/2023 23:00

We were told 3.5 to 4k for private orthodontist. It's a 3 year wait for NHS orthodontist where we are.

MinnieEgg · 04/04/2023 23:01

Outs was about £5000 too. It was at the exact same place as the NHS patients. What you are paying for is not waiting years. And at ours on the NHS if you miss an appointment you get booted off the system and you are just given the appointments too, there is no choosing. The private patients can say 'I work on Tuesdays'.

Original poster
ArmitageShanked · 04/04/2023 23:02

Oh blimey. Thank you all. I know from having mine done many years ago that she'll be happy with just the top done. My bottom ones are wonky at the back due top moving them... But nobody can see them.

Crikey. It's a lot. I'd sell my soul for her though. She's self harming and not in a great place. I'd sell my body, but erm... That probably wouldn't fund a chippy dinner.

Thank you though. I will speak to the dentist tomorrow.

I'm worried about being rejected for a payment plan as credit history is poor and I'm on disability benefits.

I told her I'd sell a kidney 🤣 she said just don't sell your brain. You know only you can deal with that madness 🤣

Yeah, thanks darling.

OP posts:
Original poster
ArmitageShanked · 04/04/2023 23:04

Ohhh gosh... I haven't even got a husband to sell!

OP posts:
QuillBill · 04/04/2023 23:07

I think I'd wait the nine months, I know it's not easy, I really do. One of. One ended up waiting three years because of the pandemic. Confused Then the braces were on for twenty months.

Is she getting help for the self harming?

user56912 · 04/04/2023 23:10

i have two in braces. One cost £4k (discount for paying all upfront). The other is nearly £7k but that was because he also needed a chain to pull down an impacted tooth. We were lucky to catch it in time before it fused.

SouperWoman · 04/04/2023 23:10

wow these costs… No idea where folk are who are paying these prices?! I’m in London. I found an orthodontist who did fixed price treatment - £2500 for everything including retainers afterwards. Paid monthly over 18 months. So my advice is to look for someone who will do a fixed price for kids. And check their reviews.

Original poster
ArmitageShanked · 04/04/2023 23:11

QuillBill · 04/04/2023 23:07

I think I'd wait the nine months, I know it's not easy, I really do. One of. One ended up waiting three years because of the pandemic. Confused Then the braces were on for twenty months.

Is she getting help for the self harming?

Thank you. Yes she is. Counselling at school and via a local charity.

I just can't bear to see her suffering. The thing is, 9 months is just to get a yes. Then what another 6 for a mould? She might be over 18 and not eligible by the time it comes round.

It's just such a difficult time for her.

I'll see what dentist says tomorrow and update.

I'm off to bed. I've just looked up at the TV which is on mute and wondering what fresh hell is on ITV at the moment? 🤣

Thank you all.

OP posts:
SouperWoman · 04/04/2023 23:12

And this included a complex tooth that needed a chain.

MyHusbandisRonWeasley · 04/04/2023 23:15

Private for DD £3000, top and bottom train tracks, on within 2 weeks. Paid with DH bonus but 0% finance was available.

Mossstitch · 04/04/2023 23:15

I'd wait the 9 months too, in the grand scheme of things it's not that long. One of my grown up sons chose to have this done fairly recently (didn't want it as a teenager). Two years of treatment and about £4k. His teeth were very wonky (small palate) but he has a perfect set now. I was surprised that it worked so well in an adult in his 30s so there isn't a time limit on having it done.

Dodgeitornot · 04/04/2023 23:21

9 months is really not a lot. You may get a cancellation in that period too. We were told 12 months min only to get a cancellation 2 weeks later. I think you'd be pretty crazy to go private with your financial situation. Your daughters mental health will get worse if you've got bailiffs at your door because of her.

Dodgeitornot · 04/04/2023 23:22

Also, you don't wait another 6 months for a mould? I've never heard that. You get them on the day of your appointment if your teeth are ready. Maybe the second appointment if the first you find a filling or something is wrong.

Houseyvibe · 04/04/2023 23:24

Wow some of these pieces, I just last week paid £2250 for a 13 year old. Total cost for metal braces and the only extra will be £190 for a fixed retainer when they come off

Azandme · 04/04/2023 23:25

If you are going to spend money then I'd wait the 9 months for the NHS orthodontist, and spend the money on therapy to help with self harm, and self image. This is much more concerning than teeth, and is about more than just teeth. Dealing with her mental health so she can cope with anything life throws at her will do more good than straight teeth.

Original poster
ArmitageShanked · 04/04/2023 23:28

Azandme · 04/04/2023 23:25

If you are going to spend money then I'd wait the 9 months for the NHS orthodontist, and spend the money on therapy to help with self harm, and self image. This is much more concerning than teeth, and is about more than just teeth. Dealing with her mental health so she can cope with anything life throws at her will do more good than straight teeth.

Okay not yet in bed as ITV quite amusing, but I will beg to differ with you there.

No details, but only I know the full situation and you are not correct.

Def going now.

Nn!

OP posts:
LightTheLittleLight · 04/04/2023 23:29

Some of these prices are huge - are PPs in London? I’ve just paid around £2300 for DD’s private braces top and bottom, including extra to have the smaller paler metal brackets. Fixed price with a payment plan over 12 months so even though she still has them at 18 months there’s nothing more to pay.

I had mine done a few years ago (adult obviously so over 18s prices) with ceramic brackets and it was still only around £2500 altogether.

BristleRushHour · 05/04/2023 08:51

I had a bit of a nervous breakdown about this, my 2 dc would benefit from braces but don't qualify for NHS treatment, they have both been seen for an assessment by an orthodontist. 2X 5k is impossible for us in this current climate 😓.

Could London or Hertfordshire mums please PM me names of orthodontist who gave them deals for under 5 K and who did a good job? 🙏

BristleRushHour · 05/04/2023 09:02

Could London or Hertfordshire mums please PM me names of orthodontist who gave them deals for under 5 K and who did a good job?
Or share on this thread if you prefer?

PinkShimmerSparkle · 05/04/2023 09:06

I work for a orthodontist as a receptionist, When a child comes for the initial consultation, they are assessed and told if they qualify at that appointment, I am then told what appointments need to be booked next. Did they say why it would take 9 months?
Under 16 private treatment is £2400 at my practice that includes everything from start to finish including the retainers.
Is there not another orthodontist that she can be referred to?

dew141 · 05/04/2023 09:10

Could London or Hertfordshire mums please PM me names of orthodontist who gave them deals for under 5 K and who did a good job?

Rickmansworth Orthodontics. (Herts/outer NW London). I used them for one private and one NHS.

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