Impacted Canines surgery

[Teeththeethteeth]

I have name changed as this could be outing.

A very long story short my DD(15) has impacted canines ans needs surgery to expose them then braces etc after this. She is (finally) under the orthodontist for all the follow up treatment but is waiting to go on the waiting list for the surgery.
I have been told the waiting list (that she is not when yet on) is a year - 18 months long.
She is 16 in a few weeks time this means potentially she could be almost 18 before the braces go on. None of us want her to wait this long as who know where or what she will be doing then - uni/ travel etc.
This process started with her own dentist when she was 12 and there have been delays and "oh we'll wait and see" at every step of the way.

My question is does anyone know if it is possible to have the surgery done privately and where does this? I have asked the orthodontist who has said they don't do it but no info on anywhere that does.
I also need to be sure that if she has the surgery privately she will then be under the NHS for all the following treatment.

We live in Devon (only the kids have NHS dentist as they are so few and far between so I don't want her to loose this).

I am desperate to try and get this sorted before she leaves school. ☹️

Yes, you can go privately for the exposures and still receive NHS orthodontics. Is she on the waiting list for exposure under local or general anaesthetic? It usually depends on how deep the canines are.
If the exposure is recommended under local anaesthetic give local orthodontists a call, there will be a surgeon locally who they refer to. Some will offer sedation as a halfway house.
If it's general it would be a maxillofacial surgeon in a private hospital. If you have a copy of the letter referring her to the oral surgeons there may be a secretary's details. Ask them if the surgeon's work privately anywhere. You may find the private hospital won't operate on under 16.

Thankyou for the reply.
I believe she is going to need a general but as she hasn't been seen by the surgeon yet I can't be 100% sure.
I have spoken to the secretary of both the surgeon and the orthodontist who referred her who have said that they don't offer private and can't tell me any info about who does. I'm happy to go out of the area we live but just can't seem to find any information online about the surgery specifically.
I think I will need to ring some orthodontists intead.

Hi @Teeththeethteeth there are lots of possibilities and variables here.

The canines can be palatally or buccally placed. Normally for palatally placed ones the braces are on before the canines are exposed as gold chains are attached to the exposed teeth. The chains are then used to pull the canines into place. Sometimes a healing plate is used that's made by the orthodontist.

Are her baby teeth still there? Has she got a removeable brace to hold the space open if not or does the brace need to open the gaps. Sometimes the baby canines are taken out and a removeable brace used to hold the space to encourage the canines to move. It may be without the braces it's too soon to expose the canines. If they are exposed and then not pulled down the gum can grown over again.

Looking at the internet there are private hospitals in Devon that offer canine exposure- Nuffield appear to. Call them and ask if the hopsital offers general anaesthtic services to under 18s. If it was my child having exposures done I'd want a surgeon who does this regularly as this makes it easier for the orthodontists.

It may be worth getting a local private orthodontist consult (ideally ask the hospital for a copy of her xrays as this will help) who can advise on what they think your best options are.

My dc has just finished with braces which were to address an impacted canine ( palate). Couldn’t even have the surgery until teeth had been moved with a brace to allow the canine to descend

They were under the care of our local dental hospital - can you speak to a dental hospital for further guidance? Ours was amazing but very far from you