My 12 year old needs braces

[Ambereyesemo]

I've not long Been back from a routine dentist checkup for my son's, my oldest is in need of braces he has 5 missing teeth either side of mouth, crooked teeth and gaps, he can't open his mouth wide enough its like his mouth locks and then he shouts it hurts. He is getting referred to a specialist for a better X-ray as today's X-ray failed bless him he found it so hard to open his mouth. Anyways I was told he could be waiting 2 year for braces to get installed was I shocked no, am I frustrated yes my poor lad has to put up with this for a few year!.

Has anyone had this or has a child who did and didn't wait as long? It's a 6 months to two years wait, I wish I had all the money in the world for him just so he didn't have to wait and suffer for long. I have no idea when I'll get the referral appointment either, i praise all NHS workers without a doubt but the system is so broke it's shocking!.

Please don't get train track braces. At least research them first. I speak from bitter experience. I think children's jaws need to grow to full size before anyone messes around with their teeth. Of course then they are "too old" and dental care isn't free anymore. But that's the catch. It's not actually free work, it's just that the govt is paying the dentist to do it, not you. That's why the dentists do it. Anyway, I urge you to do your research, and anyone else reading this. If your son's mouth hurts when he opens it, I don't see how that is to do with teeth. Are the jaw muscles very tense?

As to braces, they won't fit them until the 2nd teeth are all through and they can see the bigger picture so it's not really a case of 'going on a waiting list' but more they'll keep him on their list until your regular dentist gives the ok for treatment to start. My GS wasn't ready until 15 but then it all happened quite quickly and a year later he was done. I agree with pp though, there's more going on if it hurts to open his jaw so I'd want to get that checked out irrespective of having braces.

It depends on what type of braces he needs as to when they will fit them.

Some kinds need all adult teeth to get through others don't.

In similar circumstances I rang around all the orthodontists in my area and got my son seen quickly.

He had bespoke braces at 9 to move one specific adult tooth that had come through very badly and then a break until more teeth came through and he was ready for the next stage. He also needed teeth out.

Would you be prepared to travel?

I was happy for my children to be referred to an orthodontist in a different area (an hour's drive away). Referred between Christmas and New Year, braces fitted before the end of January.

Of course, 4-weekly check-ups for 2+ years was a nuisance with the distance, but better than waiting.

Reserve judgement until you get the X-rays done. There are multiple things that could be going on there and braces might not be the first step.

What's up with train tracks? To be fair I gave no idea what sort there is, it's all new to me I'll do some research and possibly look into other opinions, looking at yours I'm guessing you had a terrible time? So in general he's ok with speaking opening his mouth it's when he has to extend it further when it comes to check ups or the dreaded COVID test he's says it's like not painful but noticable and he can't stretch his mouth wide it's like I locks in so far (sorry if I'm making no sense).

I think this is why he's getting an X-ray first but to see a specialist because of his mouth not opening wide enough for the lady in the dentist. I don't mind waiting I understand the NHS is under a lot of tail backs but at the same time I'd rather all this sorted quicker than later but that's my unrealistic thinking unless I was rich which I'm not, he's only 12 so by the time it comes round he'll be turning 15.

I could travel yes as we drive but I work in a school so an appointment will come across difficult unless they are off for a break up or something, I'll look into something further field see what options I have.

My step daughter waited 2 years, my son waited about 18 months but was classed as urgent, and my other son is still waiting about 2 years in now. So your wait sounds normal for my area.

I'm keeping that in mind 😊 I'm holding back till the x-ray of course, I got a little panicky because something like this has never happened in my family. He was premature and I was told as he gets older little things will occur because his body is still way behind from a child who was born full term I'm taking this as one of those "little things" hrs had a few poor lad can't catch a break

3 year wait where I am, unless you pay obviously. So it’s completely normal. If annoying.

We waited six months for the referral and the waiting list for work is apparently about 18 months to 2 years. We have also been offered a 0% finance deal to get it done privately.

If it's any consolation my ds didn't get braces until he was 16, nearly 17. Dentist wouldn't do them earlier as he said the teeth were likely to move again as ds' jaw grew. He was in 6th form when they went on and just about to start university when they came off but they made a massive difference and have stayed put in the 4 years since treatment ended. He did wear a retainer at night (most nights) until he broke it this summer but they're still looking good.

Is he hypermobile? My jaw used to do something similar. It used to happen to my housemate, she used to shove hers back in to position!!

No idea about the other issues.