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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To insist my dentist to put my front teeth back as they were?

56 replies

ControlGeek · 11/09/2014 17:39

When I had my braces fitted 13 weeks ago, my top two front teeth were the only straight ones in my head. One of them has now been twisted to such an angle that the dentist has recommended I pay to have the angled bottom built back up because it looks like I have lost a big chip out of it. I haven't, it was perfectly horizontal, now it's like the leaning tower of teetha. I also have a gap between my two front teeth, which I never used to have, and I feel more self conscious about how they look now than I did before I had the braces. I'm also in screaming agony.

So, AIBU, or should I trust that in the long run he knows what he is doing?

OP posts:
Charitybelle · 11/09/2014 17:41

No advice sorry just wanted to commiserate about fucking bastard dentists. Hope someone pops along to give you constructive advice!

Original poster
ControlGeek · 11/09/2014 17:56

Thanks Charity, commiserations gratefully received!

Apologies for the awful grammar in the title, I'm going to blame it on the codeine Blush

OP posts:
Weirdbeard · 11/09/2014 18:01

YANBU. You went to the dentist to get your other teeth straightened. They have made your front tooth worse. Unless the dentist said (at the time you got the brace), "Watch out, there's a danger it will twist your straight tooth and you'll have to pay us", and you said, "That's OK, I'm just doing this for a laugh", I would suggest they've failed to deliver.

I would have a reasonable conversation along these lines with them, and if that doesn't work, tell them you're going to get legal advice.

Original poster
ControlGeek · 11/09/2014 18:06

Thanks Weirdbeard - oddly we didn't have any such conversation at the outset! I have another appointment in two weeks so I'm going to steel myself to be assertive and not sit in the chair until I've said my piece.

Providing the pictures upload in the order I have attached them, the first is as they looked the day the braces were first fitted. The second (with the gap) was taken today. I look like bloody Madonna after a fist fight.

To insist my dentist to put my front teeth back as they were?
To insist my dentist to put my front teeth back as they were?
OP posts:
puntasticusername · 11/09/2014 18:11

How long are you supposed to be having the braces for? Is there a chance that those two teeth will come back into line later on, as the rest of the teeth move into their right places?

Even so, I'm surprised at the dentist saying, basically, that it was to be expected and that having it fixed would incur further charges! I'd definitely be seeking further clarification of that, and possibly a second opinion from another orthodontist, if I were you.

Weirdbeard · 11/09/2014 18:13

Wow. Yeah, I see what you mean.

That's kind of like getting someone to re-tile your roof, them knocking the chimney over then telling you, "We can fix that for a hundred quid".

Deffo not on.

puntasticusername · 11/09/2014 18:17

Crikey. Just seen your photos.

Yeah. That definitely doesn't look right. In the "before" photo, the alignment of the bracket on the left-hand front tooth looks way off. Hence why in the second photo, the bracket and wire have come into a straight line but the tooth itself is, well, all over the bloody shop Sad

I'd get a second opinion I think.

AlpacaMyBags · 11/09/2014 18:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
ControlGeek · 11/09/2014 18:24

Another 12-15 months Puntastic, but he definitely said I should consider getting it built up, so it looks like he is intending for it to stay at that angle. To me, it just looks like he put the bracket on wonky and is now expecting the tooth shape to be adapted to suit now the bracket is straight iyswim.

Weirdbeard that's totally it - except his surgery only do braces, so I'll need to go to another surgery to get the remedial work done!

I've loaded the original picture back onto my phone so if I go marching in with that, and not sit down til I've got my words out, I'll see what he says. As soon as I'm in the chair his hands are in my mouth and it's game over cowardy wimp, must ask for a spine for Christmas

OP posts:
Discobugsacha · 11/09/2014 18:25

That's terrible. The dentist should be doing all he can to prevent you suing him. He has done that to your teeth, in the pretence of fixing them. I would report him and get a second opinion. And I would expect a refund of any money you have paid so far.

Original poster
ControlGeek · 11/09/2014 18:25

x-post - thanks Puntastic and Alpaca, it's a relief to hear someone else say that!

OP posts:
Georgethesecond · 11/09/2014 18:29

I think you need to ask him why he positioned the bracket on that front tooth off-centre, and what he expects to happen next.

EddieStobbart · 11/09/2014 18:29

The bracket looks like it was put on at the wrong angle. I've just had my brace removed after about three years. I got a gap at one point but that was when the wire was bent out of shape by accident, the orthodontist straightened it next visit and it closed back within a few days.

Get to another orthodontist.

partialderivative · 11/09/2014 18:32

Jaws has (sadly) passed away

www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-29152398

This is your opportunity to get into show biz!

Original poster
ControlGeek · 11/09/2014 18:39

arrrrggghh he's going to need to take the bracket off and reposition it, isn't he? It's soooo sensitive. I cried at my last appointment when he refreshed the elastic.

Partial, I am the person about whom the statement 'she has a great face for radio' was made. Even with my niche gnashers I think thats an opportunity best allowed to pass Grin

OP posts:
Willabywallaby · 11/09/2014 18:43

I'm not an orthodontist, but it does look from the pics that the upper right central incisor bracket was not in the right position, but I wonder if it was worn before. Without seeing the full arch with study models and having more knowledge I'm not much help!

If the tooth was worn he should've been aware and thought it would need further work after the treatment.

Sorry, not much help but can't help defending my bloody bastard profession.

13 wks into a 15 to 18 month treatment plan is very near the start.

You would be best to go back and try again expressing your concerns and if you're still not happy seek a second opinion, but let him know you're doing that.

partialderivative · 11/09/2014 18:55

ControlGeek

I bet there are loads of people who think you are gorgeous.

Your posts suggest that your personality is lovely.

kayty · 11/09/2014 19:09

Hmm, I'd get an emergency appointment with another dentist and show them the before photo and see what they think before going for your next appointment. If there is a problem you've only had the braces for 13 weeks and it may be relatively easy to fix now but could be irreparable in 12 + months

Original poster
ControlGeek · 11/09/2014 19:09

Ooooh! An opinion from within the profession - thank you Willaby!! It's quite possible there was some wear and tear, my pearly off-whites have been with me for years now. But he suggested that I have actually lost some of the tooth due to impact. I'm pretty sure I'd remember that Confused You're right though, it is really early days in the treatment and I'm staggered by how much the most misaligned of my teeth have already moved.

Partial - thank you. I'm having a bit of a rubbish time at the moment and your post has really cheered me up Thanks

OP posts:
Willabywallaby · 11/09/2014 19:14

What impact?

Original poster
ControlGeek · 11/09/2014 19:17

None, that's just it - I've never mentioned an impact to him, he just asked at the last appointment had I ever had that tooth built up after the impact, I should look at getting it done again after the braces come off. It's like he believes there's a chunk missing from the bottom.

OP posts:
Willabywallaby · 11/09/2014 19:22

I think he should've been able to see that before treatment started. Ask him for your study models if you seek a second opinion.

YouAreAMouseInAMaze · 11/09/2014 19:23

Definitely go back if you're not happy. If he's obstinate, step up the pressure - say you'll get a second opinion, then say you'll get a legal opinion, then write a stroppy letter telling him to notify his insurers...

Original poster
ControlGeek · 11/09/2014 19:28

Brilliant, thank you! Silly question - what are study models/what do they look like?

OP posts:
Willdoitinaminute · 11/09/2014 19:35

Another dentist here who sometimes feels like she's fucking a bastard but DH's parents were definitely married when he was conceived.
From what I remember of fixed ortho there are several stages to treatment. The first is to straighten the arch then it is much easier to move the teeth around the arch then finally they do the fine adjustments to the angles of each teeth. Looking at your picks I would say you are just about coming to the end of the first stage so stick with it.
It does look like that you have had a lot of wear to the upper right central over the years possible due to the poor position of the opposing tooth in the lower jaw. The gap will be closed in stage 2 and if the level isn't right then it may need a little restoration.
Hope this helps. May be worth taking the photos with you next visit. Sometimes we find it difficult to understand patients concerns. Like many professionals we have already visualised the end result and forget that the patient doesn't have our experience so is often unable to see what we see. Patients are often unprepared for the bits between the start and finished. I blame all the TV programmes about cosmetic surgery. You only see the start and finish so it seems like a quick fix. In reality it can take months.

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