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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To get braces? any dentists advise? (Photo attached)

59 replies

Fixthefaults · 23/02/2018 20:47

Adulthood has ruined my teeth, the older I get the more crowded they become. I never smile and there is very few photos of me. My bottom teeth are a mess and my top incisor is in front of the others. I’m in my 30s now and it’s making me totally miserable. Not only that but my jaw now constantly clicks I presume it’s related to my teeth. I spoke to a dentist last year who guessed I would need 8k worth of work done, he couldn’t advise if Invisalign was an option as he didn’t offer it. That amount of money would empty all our savings so it’s s huge decision. I’m recently engaged and can’t even think of getting married because how can I pose for photos??

Has anyone had severe overcrowding that’s been fixed at a reasonable price? Does Invisalign work on severe cases? I’m planning on a consultation with an orthodontist but consultations cost money and I don’t want to waste it to be told the same price as the previous dentist.

I’m mortified by this but I’ve attached a photo of my bottom teeth to show the overcrowding.

To get braces? any dentists advise? (Photo attached)

OP posts:

Domino20 · 23/02/2018 21:31

Chaz....my friend is Polish so she goes there often anyway but off peak flights to Poland are SUPER CHEAP. Her husband had a top row of 10 false teeth for under £200 and they look amazing. He's doing the bottom row over Easter. We were actually talking today about organising dental tourism trips so we'll have lots more information after the visit at Easter. We're imaging (pure speculation at the moment mind) that it would involve taking castings over here, sending moulding to Poland and then visiting for treatment.

Mokoblack · 23/02/2018 21:35

I had braces put on just a month ago at the age of 27, I opted for traditional braces as they are the cheapest and work the quickest. The total cost was £3500, I paid a deposit and paying the rest off over 30 months interest free via the orthodontist so I can pay it off earlier if I wish. My teeth made me self conscious for years, so definitely do it if it’ll make you feel better!

Original poster

Fixthefaults · 23/02/2018 21:36

Thank you for all the kind comments.

summercat I’m not sure why they are like this, my teeth were perfectly straight as a child, they moved in adulthood. Dentists have said they think it was my gums softening in pregnancy that allowed them to move.

People generally say they are not that bad but I know they are, the bottom ones are hard to clean behind and get a build of hard plaque behind them, I try my best and floss every day but the brushes don’t fit in all the gaps.

The previous private dentist I saw offered me the 6 month smile on the top but not the bottom as the gums are badly receded, I think I need to see an orthodontist for proper advice.

OP posts:

Scullerymaid · 23/02/2018 21:44

Are you sure it's not bruxism, (teeth grinding) OP?
Chronic bruxism has absolutely ruined my teeth and moved
every single one of them - I have old pics of me with perfectly aligned teeth. Now, ears later, they're squashed and jumbled together and bear no relation to how they used to be. All caused by teeth grinding in my sleep.

ShellyBoobs · 23/02/2018 21:45

Summercat are you taking the piss?

People can't even get bloody fillings done on the NHS to fix acute dental pain in many areas.

And what bollocks about 'do you pay tax, NI...' Around 50% of tax payers get more out than they put in, so don't try to make out entitlement to free treatment should be dependent on paying in.

OP, I'd recommend seeing a good orthodontist as others have mentioned, but to be quite honest it's a bit off to be declaring that you can't possibly get married because you couldn't bear to have photos done. Spare a thought for other people with fair greater 'aesthetic issues'.

Scullerymaid · 23/02/2018 21:45

Meant to say bruxism can cause clicks jaw too.

Scullerymaid · 23/02/2018 21:45

clicky

teaandtoast · 23/02/2018 21:49

@GinUnicorn - I would be interested in your recommendation, if you don't mind?

HungerOfThePine · 23/02/2018 21:50

A rough before and after op, my lower set were more or less overcrowded as yours are and the top too I had them corrected in about 15 months in total with standard traintracks paid privately.

I had bad overcrowding and have periodontal disease which would be made better not cured by ortho treatment and still didn't qualify for nhs treatment. It cost total around 1300 payed up over the whole 15 month period.

I actually finished my treatment today besides the odd 3 and 6 months check up.

There are cheaper ways and one private ortho quoted me more than double for what I actually payed.

I could never afford 8 grand for it.

BelleandBeast · 23/02/2018 21:53

Could you try one of the dental schools? They give free treatment to clinically interesting cases....!

HungerOfThePine · 23/02/2018 21:54

Just as a side note get a waterpik or some kind of irrigation flosser, that much overcrowding like mine is ripe for irreversible gum disease as I have since learned.

Bettercallsaul1 · 23/02/2018 21:54

Your teeth look lovely in that last photograph, HungerOfThePine. And beautifully white!

Summercat · 23/02/2018 22:06

This is what I meant when I said your teeth could be prone to getting decayed and you could get gum disease. Sorry you are going through this: I hope you get help.

@Shellyboobs

People can't even get bloody fillings done on the NHS to fix acute dental pain in many areas.

And what bollocks about 'do you pay tax, NI...' Around 50% of tax payers get more out than they put in, so don't try to make out entitlement to free treatment should be dependent on paying in.

Jesus. Have you had a bad day or something?! What an unpleasant post. There is no need to be so rude and snarky. I am only trying to help, and make the OP feel better. And no need to be so rude to the OP either by saying some people have WORSE problems.

There are a few people on mumsnet who could start an argument in an empty room.

IMO, the OP deserves to get the treatment on her teeth on the NHS. Her teeth look like she will have lots of problems with decay in the future. She is as entitled as anyone else. FFS, people have boob jobs and gastric bands on the NHS. Why the hell should she not be allowed treatment on her teeth?!

If you don't think so, then fine, but there is no need to be so rude.

Sorry if you have had a bad day. Hope tomorrow is better for you.

Notwellbitch · 23/02/2018 22:08

I would go for traditional braces in your situation OP. They are cheaper and more reliable than Invisalign. Damon braces I think they are called are not as noticable as the normal metal ones. They are clear brackets on the teeth with a thin wire.

If you do it make sure to wear your retainer afterwards! I had braces as a teenager and am about to get Invisalign to correct movements that have happened since

HungerOfThePine · 23/02/2018 22:11

Thank you saul1 they do look great now and luckily still got to keep all my teeth but unfortunately the damage to my gums is already quite significant, some prominent teeth have quite bad recession so I'm dreading the days when they start to fail regardless of how well I care for them.

Need to update my album of teeth selfies .

CaterpillarKins · 23/02/2018 22:20

Thumbs up for train tracks from my side too. They are not only cheaper but more effective as well. I got mine at the age of 30, wore them for two years without letting them affect my inclination to smile. They did not detere my DP from falling in love with me either. I too had mine done in Easter Europe, but that was because I was living there at the time.The clicking sound you mention does sound as if you should at least have an investigative consultation on the NHS.

MummySparkle · 23/02/2018 22:25

OP I have braces now - top and bottom train tracks. The difference they have made is amazing! I didn't suffer from severe overcrowding, but my top teeth were leaning a long way in with one 'fang' sticking out...

The main reason I had them done is because my bite had moved and I was struggling to eat. I've also got impacted wisdom teeth. The train tracks I've got have crystal clear brackets and clear elastics. From a distance The only noticeable bit is the wire. I've had mine on 18months and I can honestly say I'm more than a little fed up of them now, but I'm nearly there - it's tweaking the bite now that's taking time.

Lots of places will do free orthodontic consultations for adults. £8k sounds ridiculous! Mine cost £3.5k thank you grandma!

SandieShores · 23/02/2018 22:36

My teeth are similar OP though the bottom jaw no quite so bad, but I am early 60s. I was told Invisalign wouldn' t work as there is not enough room for movement even by shaving the sides of the teeth. I was told I'd need 2 extractions and train tracks for 18 months.

So far I've not had it done and been thinking about it for 15 years. It's not so much the cost as we are comfortably off but the effort of constantly having braces tweaked, the discomfort and losing two good teeth that holds me back.

People tell me my teeth aren't bad.

My mum had much worse teeth- her incisors were like fangs sticking out. She had a brace and extractions at 75! Her dentist gave her a special deal as his oldest ever patient for a brace and she was an interest to trainees.

I think if you can afford it have it done. better now than in 20 years.
I was quoted around £3K.

lilabet2 · 23/02/2018 22:53

I imagine that your teeth look better from the front, from the photo it does look like you have significant overcrowding though.

I would actually see an NHS dentist to ask for a referral to an NHS orthodontist for an assessment based solely on the fact that you are experiencing jaw clicking (could you also say severe jaw pain?) because the NHS don't provide braces to over 18s apart from where there is an exceptional medical need.

The other option I guess is to get a credit card with a promotional period and try to pay it back before you start acquiring debt.

PuntasticUsername · 23/02/2018 23:02

"If you had nhs orthodontic treatment as a child you will not be offered nhs treatment as an adult."

I don't think that's true - I had both. I guess qualifying diagnostic criteria might vary between trusts, but there's no blanket ban. Ok unless the rules have changed in the past couple of years, which they might have done!

I had problems with a severe overbite and overcrowding, leading to gum disease leading to bone loss. I had a couple of years of train tracks (as an adult) and I'll be on retainers for years, but the results were life-changing and it didn't cost me a penny. Definitely worth pursuing, OP.

deste · 23/02/2018 23:18

As someone mentioned above to try a dental hospital beside you if you have one. I have a friend who goes to one and she gets all the best and latest treatment free.

MrsWoolySheep · 23/02/2018 23:23

Hi fixthefaults my teeth are similar to yours.

I'm a bit surprised and gutted at some of the horrified reactions, I didn't think mine were that bad.

I went for a consultation about 8 years ago, got quoted 3.5k, the orthodontist said it was very complex, I'd need teeth removed, and an Invisalign pave had refused to treat me!!

Anyway, I decided not to bother in the end, if people judge me because my teeth aren't straight then they're not worth knowing anyway.

I am self conscious about it, but I'm tight and couldn't bear to part with the money.

Plus I was scared it would all go wrong.

Sorry that's probably not much help.

MrsWoolySheep · 23/02/2018 23:24

I tried the dental hospital too but they told me no

padsi1975 · 23/02/2018 23:29

My brother's teeth were worse than yours, all corrected by Invisalign. Think it cost him about 3.5k. Do it. I had braces as an adult, best decision. My teeth really embarrassed me. Not any more. It's a relief and was worth every penny.

ShakeShakeTheMuffin · 23/02/2018 23:29

I read going to say dental hospital too. My dad had a load of free work done at Newcastle. It's essentially dental students but they are under close supervision. Hope you can get the treatment you need to restore your confidence.

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