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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Kids Teeth Braces £2,000! Really!?

81 replies

SPARKLYSTARSHINESBRIGHT · 07/09/2017 11:47

So my DS2 needs a brace, his canine tooth hasn't come down and although it's come through the gum it hasn't come down in line with his other teeth. Hence it wouldn't be funded under the NHS and I'm given a list from the Dental Hospital of a list of orthodontic dentists who can help.
We visited one yesterday, private, and they start from £2K! I've since phoned a couple of others and they start from £2,900! WTH! How can parents afford this, we certainly can't. What does everyone do?

OP posts:
daisypond · 07/09/2017 13:39

Also what you want to avoid, as happened to a friend of mine, is that the child gets treatment on the NHS, wears the braces, but then doesn't properly bother with the retainer afterwards - being a stroppy teenager. Then teeth start drifting, and the slightly older teenager now doesn't like them and wants them sorted and - hey, presto - they no longer qualify for free treatment because the teeth aren't bad enough. So they have to lump it, or wait till they're grown up and pay for it themselves.

Glastokitty · 07/09/2017 13:39

I needed braces badly, my milk teeth didn't fall out and I ended up with way too many teeth. I didn't need over 7 years of treatment though, my orthodontist was a crook rorting the system. My son was told he needed braces a few months before we emigrated, but when I said we were leaving the country they said to start treatment in our new country. The dentist here said there is nothing wrong with his teeth, I reckon the dentist in Ireland was on the take too. So I'm a bit sceptical when it comes to orthodontists. While you can't leave a child with terrible teeth I reckon it's a bit of a racket too.

MrsOverTheRoad · 07/09/2017 13:40

Trillis is right...mind you're not too quick off the mark!

Boulshired · 07/09/2017 13:41

My DD had a 17mm overbite so was well within treatment. After 5 months this is now 5mm. There is only a month waiting list where we are and also many borderlines cases who seemed to get past the requirements. It is like most things there seems an element of post code lottery.

WillowKnicks · 07/09/2017 13:43

My DD, 13, has been referred on the NHS for braces. She has overcrowding & both canine teeth haven't come down.

I was told the NHS waiting list was 2 years, so I rang up the orthodontist to enquire about the cost of going private & was told the cost would be between £2.5k to £5k!!!

My dentist told me about a month but ago, that since my DD was referred (January) the waiting list is now 3 years!

PoppyPopcorn · 07/09/2017 13:44

whether you have a sympathetic dentist who can push it through

Can't speak for other areas but here (Glasgow) the dentists and orthodontists don't make the decisions. They take the x-rays and photos, and propose a treatment plan and the paperwork all goes off to the NHS who decide centrally and then tell the orthodontist who gets funding and who doesn't. So yes, the orthodontist can put forward a stronger case, but ultimately doesn't make the decision. In our practice it's the most experienced orthodontist who deals with the borderline cases.

MyPatronusIsAUnicorn · 07/09/2017 13:55

Just looked at the levels at which they will give funding. DD is looking grade 5! She still had room for them to shift about but she is losing her teeth early and there just isn't enough room in her mouth. So her teeth at the front bottom are behind and in front of each other. Dentist has already mentioned a brace at age 12 and she is only 6 so glad she will get it on NHS seeing these prices!

lougle · 07/09/2017 17:25

All 3 of my girls will need braces. DD1 (11.9) has a scissor bite and is being seen by orthodontics next month after a 3 month wait. She will be getting a removable brace to resolve the scissor bite, then I think they will move on to fixed braces after that.

DD2 (10) has a 90° rotated top canine, and significant overjet, with her bottom jaw protruding beyond her upper jaw (although they are lovely and straight).

DD3 (8.4) has overcrowd teeth with her bottom teeth unevenly behind and in front of each other.

youwouldthink · 07/09/2017 17:29

Currently paying 3,500 Euro for my daughters and her teeth don't need a lot of work. My niece is paying 4,500 euro!

Orangeplastic · 07/09/2017 17:43

One dc was free, the other didn't qualify. Dentist charges £1700 all in and we're in the South East, no payment plan - he suggested we just paid a few hundred every month. It's double that price for an adult. Dc sees the dentist every 6 weeks and will continue to do so until they are both happy with the result. I think it's worth it but it has to be something the dc wants - cleaning teeth with braces on is time consuming and failing to take care of your teeth while wearing braces can cause marking, also they will need to be committed to wearing a retainer every night to prevent undoing all the benefits of the brace.

Shutupanddance1 · 07/09/2017 17:51

Most people? Are you aware that it's quite a privileged position to be in to be able to have children's savings let alone to be able to earmark a few grand for braces?

My teeth really affected my confidence levels, and I got horribly bullied - having at least £2k put away by the time baby is old enough to need them makes me feel a bit better that they won't go through the same thing.

I don't see it as a privilege thing, it's more foreplanning.

BrieAndChilli · 07/09/2017 19:14

The problem is most parents are from the times when everyone got braces for free, it's not until our child needs braces and you find out they aren't always free that you realise!
Me and DH both got our braces for free. We are 36. Didn't even cross my mind, we went to DDs orthodontist appt to have the X-rays etc and make spots for moulds and impressions and it wasn't until I had left and DH texted me and asked if we had to pay anything that it occurred to me we might have had to pay!!

Sprinklestar · 07/09/2017 19:37

Brie - I'm also 36 and had NHS braces. I've just spent the best part of £5K having them redone as the work was so appalling (and teeth move). I'd just go private from the start if I had my chance over.

teletone · 07/09/2017 19:43

Dd had canines that didn't want to drop down and in line even by 14. Orthodontist told us she was low priority on the NHS but could do a brace the next week for £2k.

Went back to my dentist and he had a removable appliance made like in the days before tram tracks but more modern and very discreet. Cost £200 including all check ups.

Has taken 8 months and has done an amazing job. Dd is really pleased with the result.

Dentist did say that not all dentists will offer it but he is old school and said it was worth a try.

Ttbb · 07/09/2017 20:03

It is well worth it, especially if it affecting his confidence. I had braces as a teenager and it made a big difference (don't get me wrong, I wouldn't choose good teath over private school or music lessons but it has helped me feel more confident). A lot of orthodontists will offer payment plans.

Snowshadow · 21/10/2017 18:38

Any chance you could tell me where your orthodontist is? We are in Tonbridge, Kent and have been quoted £4,500 for my 14 yo with 2 canine teeth not descended. I am worrying myself sick wondering how to afford it.

Snowshadow · 21/10/2017 18:40

Teletone - any chance you could tell me where you got this quote? I have been quoted £4.5k.

Acadia · 21/10/2017 18:48

Yep. NHS braces-for-all ended some years back. Now only really extreme cases get them. Everyone else has to find the money.

Plainlycrackers · 21/10/2017 19:59

OP I had an undescended canine and the orthodontist wanted to pull it down but as there was a space for it and it was in line my mum refused the surgery/braces saying that we should give it a chance... I had the baby tooth removed and eventually it arrived... by the time I was 15 & is in line... I never had braces... on a generation and my DC has had to have the surgery & brace because theirs was in the roof of the mouth behind the neighbouring incisor BUT because of my experience we waited and the tooth did move but sadly not enough to be above the right space... orthodontist was happy to delay DC is 15. Therefore IMO, esp as your DC is small so still growing, just wait a bit it might just appear!

ukelelebanana · 21/10/2017 20:05

2k sterling? I fucking wish! Looking at 6 thousand euro for one child at the moment Sad

Cadsuane · 21/10/2017 20:23

We are looking at £1800 for Dd1. She falls just short of the NHS requirements. They are happy to negotiate payment plans.
Dd2 was referred to the same orthodontist at 9 and was a clear NHS case. In fact Dd2 has ended up at the dental hospital being seen by one the top consultants. At 15 she has just started treatment as her baby teeth were very late falling out. He is hoping that he won't need to operate and is thinking of writing a paper on her! Compared to this we are happy we are paying for Dd1!

awishes · 21/10/2017 20:29

We had an orthodontist appt from an NHS referral approx 5 years ago, we were quoted £3000 as DS teeth were not "bad enough".
The dentist was incredulous and strangely enough 6 months later the brave was approved under the NHS.

awishes · 21/10/2017 20:30

Brace!

teletone · 21/10/2017 22:18

Snowshadow - £4.5K !!

It is a plastic upper insert with metal wires and springs. Made in a little workshop by an appliance technician used regularly by the dentist.

Dentist is old school and up north.

We go every month for adjustments so it is £300 all in for appliance, wire changes and a year of check ups.

He is a fab dentist Smile

teletone · 21/10/2017 22:20

OoopS. Sorry did you mean the £2K quote?

That was an orthodontist practice in a northern market town. Seems the going rate around these parts.

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