Can I Keep Delaying Braces Treatment

[sarahlayton06]

I’m 18 almost 19. I’m eligible for braces for free under the NHS as I was referred by a dentist before I turned 18. However, I don’t want to have braces now; rather, I want to keep delaying my possible treatment in case I change my mind in the future. That way, it will still be free for me as it would be going on the free referral made for me when I was under 18. Is it possible to keep delaying this?

I haven’t worn a retainer since about 1995 and my teeth are as straight as they ever were!

Do it now, it’s worth it, your jaw shrinks as you get older your teeth kind of collapse inwards, you’ll have your best chance of a really good smile now. I had braces after 35 and I don’t get my full smile back as I had thought I would. Plus it’s free and you’ll get reallly good care and follow up etc. mine cost 3000 privately but they can cost much more

Pish tosh. Most orthodontic treatment is paid for privately. People can’t get a NHS dentist for twice yearly checkups!

In my area 50% of the annual children’s NHS budget is spent on orthodontics . Whether that is a good thing or a good use of NHS dental budget for children is another question , but the majority of income in our local orthodontic practices is from NHS children’s treatment with an increasing proportion private compared to a few years ago but even so majority is NHS income.

You’re wasting your own time, I don’t think they’d use your referral at age 18 in 10 years time, things may have changed with your teeth and if that was true then everyone would do it!

As a 39 year old mum with braces who should have just had them as a teenager - please get them now. It’s much harder as an adult!

Tell me you are 18 without telling me you are 18

When things are avaliable for free on the NHS, strike while the iron is hot. The rules change a lot, so you might not qualify if they decide to change the whole "being referred before 18" thing.

“Life-altering” 😂

Oh the joy of being young enough to think something as simple and frivolous as teeth straightening is life-altering.

Living on an Island there is a true dearth of NHS dentists and lots of people travel to the mainland. We were fortunate, I spent a day about 7 years ago phoning every dentist on the nhs website and managed to get the kids into a good practice, they’ve had 6 monthly checkups throughout apart from during Covid. My daughter has braces, they were put on at 13. As she had what looked like one extra tooth, her referral was quick and she had them on within 3 months of initial referral, and they’ve been on a year now. Probably another 6 months to a year to go. She is so, so pleased with the change already. She’s also had periodic hygienist appointments as well to help get the bits she can’t reach…she has a very thorough and meticulous routine at home to keep them nice.

My son is likely to need them too, he’s only 12 and they’re waiting for the last couple of baby teeth to come out first so they can see how the tooth line looks after that.

Speaking as someone who at age 34 finally got the braces that I could have had for free under NHS but never did, just go and get them!

I have had to pay a fortune however it's been one of the best things I've ever done for myself. You won't regret it (well, you probably will when you first get them in because it can be painful)

Same! I would say my lower teeth have shifted ever so slightly but are by no means crooked. I now wear a mouthguard similar to a retainer for teeth grinding but that's my choice. I've not worn a retainer for nearly 30 years.

bite the bullet and do it now, you won’t wantnthem any more at 21 as you do now, but almost certain that you’ll want the work to have been done.

for all brace work patients are now told they have to wear retainers for life. It’s because 70% of orthodontic work relapses if a retainer is not worn.

This is absolutely true and the statement is evidence based. However we also live in a litigious society and orthodontists/dentists also need to cover themselves as there have been past incidents of patients suing the orthodontist cause you forgot to tell little Johnny to wear his retainer all the time and now his teeth have moved.

DS10 had a brace across his top 6 teeth recently. He's been told he'll need a different one after 6 months and then a retainer for life after that one has moved his bottom jaw forward and sorted his teeth out.

Do private orthodontists have long waiting lists like the NHS or not?

How much did it cost and how long are private waiting queues?

No orthodontists who do private work have no waiting lists , you can be seen and start treatment very quickly. Most orthodontists will do a mixture of NHS and private work . There are NHS waiting lists because they are only allowed to do so much a year on the NHS.

Depending on what treatment you need and what area you are in most brace work will come in from £2500 to £4000, more if you chose an expensive system like Invisalign or if a very complex problem.

Retainers will have to be budgeted for every few years , expect around £150 for top and bottom.

The price will vary based on where you are in the country, how bad your case is (mild, moderate, severe) and what you opt for.
I'm currently half way through braces treatment as an older adult so fairly recent. Moderate case. £3k for silver brackets, £4k for white, £5k for Invisalign although I was told Invisalign wasn't going to be good for my case.

It is a commitment as hygiene is very important as well not breaking them on hard foods. Also commitment of keeping your appointments every month for a year or more depending on your case.
I do wish I'd done it years ago but I was quite daft as a teen and would have either broken my braces or left my Invisalign in a club toilet I'm sure so apart from the cost I'm glad I've done it now

I had QuickStraight clear bracket braces, most people didn't even notice them until I pointed them out. It cost £3500 (upper and lower) and took a year. I have a retainer fixed behind my teeth. And a removal retainer at night. It really is no drama at all.

I very much doubt you'll face a waiting list if you go private.

I'm 44 and wish I had done them sooner. I finished my treatment a month ago.

Dd was quoted 3k to straighten hers , without any functional issues. Private lists can still be several months' wait.

Around 2.5 for each (top and bottom) around here for standard braces.

Eligibility criteria could change tomorrow and if you haven't started treatment and you fall outside the new criteria you won't get them. So only defer if losing your eligibility wouldn't be the end of the world for you.

Depends what you need doing, but thousands rather than hundreds.

Just get it done now while you have the opportunity to have it done for free.
It will cost you a lot of money to go privately when you are older.