Orthodontist - wait two years for NHS or pay now?

[chickensandbees]

DD (13) has a problem in that one of her adult teeth at the back isn't there, so when the baby tooth comes out she will be left with a gap. We had a referral from the dentist to the orthodontist. They say the dentist can take the tooth out and then she will need braces to push the teeth together and get rid of the gap. There is a two year wait for the NHS treatment or we can pay £3-4K now. (£4k for nicer braces.) I think we should wait as it doesn't affect her at the moment. She wants it done now with the more expensive braces (obviously) because they are less visible.

I know 2 years seems a lot when you are 13 but my thinking is we didn't even know there was a problem until the dentist spotted it at a routine check up so why not wait till it is free.

We could afford it if we had to and it was essential for her health but £4k seems a lot to pay when it isn't essential. However I feel guilty for not paying.

What would you do?

Talk to an orthodontist and see if waiting would cause more problems, our dentist is amazing and got my ds referred aged 9 as he really needed treatment, although the wait time was 2yrs it worked out perfectly with his adult teeth all being through but I would of gone private had it not worked out so well.

Just to add another perspective. I had this and had two baby teeth taken out because there was nothing underneath. My teeth all shuffled up naturally and now there is no gap at all. I suppose it depends where it is. Mine were midway back on the top so a bit noticeable but not much.

We just really couldn’t afford private ;/ it did take 2 years for the initial consultation, but it moved relatively swiftly since then - his first appointment was end of May, and he’s getting his braces tomorrow.

I think I’d pay to see a private orthodontist for further advice
and if they said they’d be ok with waiting two years then wait
but generally speaking I am fully prepared to have to pay for this kind of thing when the kids are teens