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

[ArmitageShanked]

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.

In Surrey it's £3k. Ds1 nor ds2 qualified on nhs, I was so angry having previously been told they would.

If they're going to give it to you on the NHS, I wouldn't pay. I would wait. push the Dentist to see if it can be done earlier than 9 months. Keep complaining, saying you've been waiting for a long time already and get it done on the NHS for free .

London - about £5k. 30% upfront and the rest split into 12 monthly payments, no interest.

Have you not noticed what state the NHS is in? Do you not think everyone is doing this?

We paid for one DC's privately and - same: it was £2k for simple train tracks top and bottom incl all consultations and retainers. Paid over 18 months (albeit this was 5 years ago). Second child had similar treatment at same practice but on NHS as their mouth was overcrowded, overbite worse and they needed teeth out.

My 12 year old daughter had hers put on last month, upper and lower fixed braces, £3600 ..we are in Leeds

My son's was £3k and orthodontist offered a monthly interest free payment plan which helped.

At my DD's brace place, if you step out of like they stop treating you. If you miss an appointment. If you say you need one after school you get told off. It's like 1984. The book, not the year.

I haven't seen my NHS dentist for I don't know how long. Before the pandemic. When I went in for my child's appointment I asked and they said they weren't seeing any adults at all because they only have one dentist and they used to have eight.

If she is really self conscious you could try Invisalign. That is around 3k in my area.

They will almost certainly offer you a payment plan. Some are 0% if paid in 2-3 years.

You sound like a lovely mum, wishing your daughter the best.

My dd is nearly 18 and has only had hers a few months. She will be going through most of uni with them on. She was referred over 3 years ago, then pandemic etc etc. from the first orthodontist appt to having them fitted was around 18 months I think. She only has top train tracks, but I really feel bad for her. She is tiny and looks about 15 anyway, so the braces just emphasise that! We would not have been able to afford private, so it was either wait or not have them.

Hi all,

Thank you for all the replies. A lot of info to take in.

She will eventually get seem on NHS, it's a how long it will take and her state of mind.

It's not a cosmetic thing - she has her two incisors growing from the top of her gum. She has one back tooth growing almost outwards from the the top of her gum and on the other side at back , she has like a double tooth growing together at an angle towards her cheek.

So not only uncomfortable - embarrassing at her age. Also the dentist has expressed how concerned they are that it needs to be done asap.

Thank you @worried4698643 I've had a look at Invisalign and I'm not sure they wine suitable for her due the problems involved. Obviously back teeth (and more) will come out due to overcrowding.

We walked up to the dentist today and she has given us recommendations circa £2000 for local orthodontists. I'll be contacting them on Tuesday after bank holiday.

Dentist said she would continue to receive her NHS appointments, plus they'll remove whatever teeth necessary...

So... I'll see after that...

It does make me wonder why. My 26 year old son has perfectly straight teeth, always has and he was the one that needed nagging to look after them!

So yes, thank you all again. I do want to reiterate that this is not a vanity cosmetic thing.

I will update next week.

Have a lovely weekend!

I could also put down £1000. Left to me after my grandma recently passed. Might help get a payment plan!