Orthodontist with reputation asking 13 what her issues with how her teeth look and are... She's blissfully unaware...

[SpringisSpinning]

Dd has an over bite, we've been reffered, waiting list for years but also told the treatment timing is critical, jaw growth.

With covid etc it's been challenging, anyway, finally get her in and have phone appointments etc.

Orthadonrist asking questions about how daughter feels? I say well she's only known what's she's know re teeth and cosmetically she's blissfully unaware of looks etc.

He then asked her this when we saw him... And again the last time "what is your problem with your teeth, what do you hope to achieve... How do you feel about now your teeth look."

He's actually got a reputation for being rude and I'm absolutely furious that instead of simply doing the treatment he's asking these questions.

The reasons I am upset is because dd is very comfortable in her looks, she's not one for pamper parties, make up, nails etc at all.

She's 13 and seems very happy in her skin. She's not into shaving legs etc and seems wonderfully un touched by this media on slaught.

So to couch these questions on looks me.also on terms of looks how she feels now.... And how self conscious she may feel at 16 are vastly different things...

And its not something I want to even talk about because then it sounds like she does have a problem!!

My dd is having orthodontic treatment and she's been asked this all the way along, it's standard practice.

Because he wants to get an understanding of what your daughter wants, not you? It's her body/mouth/teeth.
If you don;t think she should be concerned about having the perfect whatever - why are you taking to an orthodontist?
If she doesn't have any problems, why would she have 'work' done on her teeth?

@DIshedUp

If your DD is happy with her teeth why is she having orthodontics?

Honestly thats like going to a hairdresser and being pissed off they ask you how you want your hair cut. Hes gauging your DDs wants and needs with regards to her teeth

@DIshedUp Because some conditions can affect how your face grows, the face can grow asymmetrical over time unless the bite is corrected. It may not bother her at all today but it could end up really changing the shape and symmetry of her face, and this would then be incredibly hard to correct later in life.

I had this issue, at the time when I was given braces I couldn't understand why, as there really was nothing wrong with my teeth as far as I could see, but my jaw would have grown asymmetrical. I had a colleague who had had this, and did not have it corrected in her adolescent years, and it was very noticeable - totally not a problem objectively speaking of course but I am sure some would rather correct it

Bit of a cringeworthy over reaction

My OH was asked these questions and he said he didn't care about his teeth and didn't want braces. He didn't get braces. He hugely regrets that now at 34. My mum told me and my sister that when we were asked we were to say we were really unhappy with our teeth and that it really affected our confidence. We both had braces. My son will be told the same when the time comes. They are standard questions unfortunately.

A) Your daughter is having the treatment, not you!
B) wearing braces takes ages and needs lots of PATIENT co-operation and flossing, etc.
C) If she’s happy then what’s the issue?
D) Good dentists will speak to teenagers like they are autonomous people as they are autonomous people.
E) how is the ‘reputation’ (probably someone not liking being told they aren’t brushing well) relevant?

I think you are being naive. Your DD is 13, not 3. Haven't you spoken to her about the reasons she needs to see an Orthodontist?

You said yourself that treatment is critical because of jaw growth so clearly there is a problem.

The questions asked were both normal and necessary.

she IS seeing a specialist because she DOES have a problem.
these are standard professional questions to gage expectations.

Both my daughters have been asked these questions. Neither cared how their teeth looked, both had to have corrective action ASAP for structural reasons.

Whilst their teeth didn't bother them because it was all they'd known, neither fully appreciated the long term impact of no treatment. Their complete nonchalance about the effect didn't have any bearing on the treatment offered.

I didn't judge why the orthodontist asked these questions, I was just grateful the NHS still picks up this treatment for children and they're helping ensure my children have a decent chance at structurally sound teeth as adults.

I know I'm not your daughter, but I really wish I could have had this direct style of assessment with my orthodontist at 13 instead of wishy washy talk and then some action at age 17 when I was much more self conscious and it was a worse time for treatment.

I imagine his rude reputation comes from parents who are used to doing all the talking for their teenagers in these situations.

It's good that he talks directly to his patients.

Mine both had braces , DD had very 'Vampire' teeth and desperately wanted braces
DS teeth were straight but he was referred due to his bite , it was explained to him if he didn't then he may need surgery as an adult .

Part of it will be to assess if they are willing to commit to the discmfort , the visits , the extra care cleaning and not to ask for removal before the course completes .

If it's her jaw rather than her teeth then surely that over rides how comfortable she is in herself -you're trying to prevent problems in later life

As a PP said, orthodontists need to establish a clinical need.
Need 1-3 was private , as it was deemed cosmetic, need 4-5 was severe , therefore the NHS would provide.
The questions that you mentioned were general that both my children were asked, but they were standard questions. My children's subsequent x-rays spoke for themselves.

This sounds totally normal - surely he should be asking her what she wants to achieve from cosmetic dentistry? It doesn’t mean he’s suggesting she shouldn’t be happy with her appearance or that something is wrong.

@GlendaSugarbeanIsJudgingYou - Exactly! The orthodontist really can’t win here. He’s now ascertained that to ‘sell the treatment’ if it IS necessary then he can focus on ‘function’ and ‘avoiding surgery’ rather than just saying ‘hush hush mummy knows what she’s doing’ to the 13 year old....

I totally get what you mean, OP. My son had the same. He is 12, completely unselfconscious, could not care less about how he looks at the moment. I was the same at his age. In a few years when he gets more “teenage” he will probably start worrying about how his teeth look, but I’m all for staving that off for as long as possible. But with the overbite orthodontic treatment it is time sensitive so he has to have it now, not wait for self-consciousness to kick in.
So it did feel really jarring. It’s literally the first time anyone has ever said to him “hey, have you got a problem with your appearance? Looks like you should have”. We’d described the brace as a “medical correction” to him, which it is to a large extent. From a more self-conscious adult perspective it’s also cosmetic, and he will be thankful later on.
Sounds like it’s something they have to ask. He has just come to the end of 5 months of block braces and it corrected really well. Train tracks incoming soon. He is still totally unconcerned about appearance, but has looked after his braces beautifully and committed totally to the treatment.

As already pointed out, totally standard questions. I had primed my son to say he was self conscious about his teeth (he is but clams up when talking to adults and I was concerned he might not qualify for nhs treatment) although in the event his overbite is severe/traumatic so it probably didn't matter in his case.
I do get what you mean about putting ideas about how her teeth look into her head though.

Yanbu. These are standard questions for dentists and orthodontists to ask. I had braces 20 years ago and they asked the same questions back then.

Yabu*

This has to be the worst thread title

I don’t think his questions were rude though. Presumably you can contact pals and raise your concerns through them

Dd was asked the same questions. I was under the impression that you have to have a minimum overbite as well as stating the it's an issue for your self esteem to be eligible for braces in the NHS.

Worst thread title award.

Questions are standard.

So why,now teeth moulds are made and a brace is fitted would he be looking for something to put under funding?

How would a 13 year old know about bones and over bites? We were referred.. I didn't ask to be referred, our dentist said she's got a significant over bite and needs treatment.

I've personally not made any thing of it now because I don't want her to think anything is wrong...

Asking these questions put ideas there that are not there... We've have appointment after brace been on for two months what do these questions hope to achieve?

Are they going to stop treatment?

Her friend has twisted front teeth, not massively and she's got NHS braces?
They don't affect eating or anything and certainly don't look bad.
. My dd has a very small under jaw.

I think you’re massively overthinking this. When I was a teenager, my orthodontist suggested that I may want surgery at some point due to my top lip being too thin in comparison to my bottom lip. That stuck with me for a very long time. What you’ve said just sounds like regular questioning to me.

DD was asked the same questions, it's a standard part of the initial assessment. I think you are reading way to much into this...........sounds like you have a preconceived negative opinion of the orthodontist.