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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get teenage dd braces

54 replies

Ilovemycatalot · 31/10/2022 10:16

Hi just wanted an opinion. My dd has been refused braces on the NHS but desperately wants them. I could just about afford it on a payment plan but it’s a big commitment financially and I hate having things on credit. Should I just suck it up and get it done? I know straight teeth have many benefits but her teeth are not awful and who realistically has perfect straight teeth. However all her friends are getting them all NHS funded which grates a bit when I’ve got to pay but that’s life I guess. So my question is it worth making the financial sacrifice? How important do you think it is ?

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Original poster
Ilovemycatalot · 31/10/2022 10:18

Had 2 separate opinions and she comes under a grade 3 but does not meet criteria for NHS treatment.

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Sixsmith · 31/10/2022 10:23

Why won't the NHS fund them? Because they're not necessary?

I should have had braces as a teen but I point blank refused as I had been teased enough for a removable brace. I regret it now, should have just done it then

Original poster
Ilovemycatalot · 31/10/2022 10:25

NHS says she doesn’t meet there grading criteria.

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Original poster
Ilovemycatalot · 31/10/2022 10:25

She has slight over bite and cross bite but not seen as bad enough.

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Sixsmith · 31/10/2022 10:25

I wish I had done it, I really do. Hate my teeth

Shallysally · 31/10/2022 10:28

You could take her for a private consultation and look at options. Chances are your DD will be offered either fixed braces or the Invisalign options.

If you choose the Invasilgn option she will have a scan and, IIRC, will be sent an animation of how the results will look.

But to be honest, unless her teeth are really affecting her self esteem, I wouldn’t be paying thousands of pounds just so she fits in with her friends. Better to discuss with her that braces are a health need, not a life style choice!

lannistunut · 31/10/2022 10:28

There are two questions - is a brace funded by NHS and is a brce recommended by a (reputable) dentist.

I might fund if a dentist I trusted said it was needed but not just for slightly out of line teeth as these can be straightened later for cosmetic reasons.

RedLeggedChuff · 31/10/2022 10:28

NHS criteria are pretty stringent - you normally need bite problems rather than cosmetic problems. One of my kids has NHS braces, another private ones. I was offered them as a teen, turned them down (why!!!?) and have teeth which I hate. I was very sure that I didn't want my kids to have the same experience.

lannistunut · 31/10/2022 10:29

Sixsmith · 31/10/2022 10:25

I wish I had done it, I really do. Hate my teeth

Do you have a 'slight over bite and cross bite'? If not that is not really relevant.

Many adults have teeth far more crooked than the NHS would allow these days.

bridgetreilly · 31/10/2022 10:30

I wouldn’t. If she still wants to do it, she can when she’s an adult and she pays.

Teach her to love the way she looks and be confident in it, rather than constantly try to fix herself to look the way she thinks she should.

Shallysally · 31/10/2022 10:30

Sorry OP, just reread you first post, and seen it’s not about your DD wanting to fit in 😳

babyjellyfish · 31/10/2022 10:33

How much would it cost, OP? And how old is your DD?

This is a really difficult one because your teeth can affect your self esteem hugely and if she isn't happy with her teeth as they are then getting them straightened will make a big difference to how she feels about herself.

That said, there is a cost of living crisis and getting yourself into financial difficulties to pay for it isn't a great idea either.

LookingAtYou · 31/10/2022 10:35

Oh get them op. Just go for a payment plan, get the Damon train track style they are cheaper than invisalign I think and work really quickly. I had them as an adult and I'm so pleased with the result.
It is such a worthwhile investment. Many adults have terrible teeth and regret not getting anything done when younger.

Original poster
Ilovemycatalot · 31/10/2022 10:35

Been quoted £2675 her dad (we are not together) has offered £1000 towards it.

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Original poster
Ilovemycatalot · 31/10/2022 10:36

DD 14

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itsthefinalcountdown1 · 31/10/2022 10:37

She wants them and cares about having nice teeth. If there's any possible way for you to fund them, I would.

Yes, she could get them done as an adult herself, but personally I wouldn't make my child wait if I could afford it somehow.

IwishIwasSupermum · 31/10/2022 10:37

If you can afford it, pay for the straight teeth, DD will not get NHS funding, I know this as DS was borderline and refused, he’s actually got straight teeth, just an overbite and doesn’t want them anyway and has a confident smile, he actually has other cosmetic work done(composite veneers) Anyway DD has similar over bite but crooked teeth and wants braces, I want them both to be confident smiling. If you can give the gift of a confident smile I would do it.

Original poster
Ilovemycatalot · 31/10/2022 10:38

I was offered braces as a kid as well but refused them because I thought I would be bullied. Of course regret it now.

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babyjellyfish · 31/10/2022 10:38

Ilovemycatalot · 31/10/2022 10:35

Been quoted £2675 her dad (we are not together) has offered £1000 towards it.

I think my mum was quoted 3000 to get mine done privately and that was 20 years ago. That said, I did have a rather complex problem and was entitled to NHS treatment, which we decided to wait for even though I was on the list for two years.

If your ex has offered 1000 towards it and you would only have to pay 1675, how long could you spread the payments over, realistically?

fassnk · 31/10/2022 10:38

I work with an NHS orthodontist. The grading system is pretty sensible and yes unfortunately a 3 will not be funded by the NHS. If you decide to go privately I would discuss retainers with your daughter - they need to be worn religiously to keep the teeth in their new position so if not worn correctly the teeth will move back. It would be awful for you to spend all that money and then the teeth move if she isnt committed to wearing her retainers. Ive seen it a lot! Getting braces because her friends are isnt a good enough reason for me, but if her teeth are genuinely affecting her self esteem and you can afford it then thats reasonable.

Flowerfairy101 · 31/10/2022 10:39

I would get them, my mum prevented me having them on the NHS as a teen and I spent the next decade covering my mouth when I laughed before paying for them myself, it would have been much easier to have had them as a teenager and had it sorted for life. First I would make her promise to wear her retainers after though if you don't want the money wasted.

Original poster
Ilovemycatalot · 31/10/2022 10:42

I know my dd won’t let it drop once she wants something she’s like a dog with a bone so feel that if I refuse I will be treated like the worst mother in the world.

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babyjellyfish · 31/10/2022 10:45

Another question: does your DD take good care of her teeth? Does she brush religiously? Has she ever had any cavities? Does she eat or drink too much sugar?

If she doesn't already take really good care of her teeth, one option could be to say you want to see her commit to excellent oral hygiene for the next year and then you'll revisit the subject. That would give you more time to save up the money and figure out your payment options.

You could also perhaps get her doing chores for you during that time to "earn" money towards it. Is that something that could work for you?

Just a little bit of time for her to appreciate the value of the money she is asking you to spend and her own responsibility for taking good care of her teeth. Hopefully if she has to contribute towards it in some way, she'll appreciate the value of it more and be more rigorous about the aftercare, e.g. wearing a retainer, as someone else has mentioned.

NiteGarden · 31/10/2022 10:47

Can you post a picture of your daughter's teeth (not her whole face).

Original poster
Ilovemycatalot · 31/10/2022 10:50

Don’t think she would let me take a pic tbh she doesn’t even know I’ve posted about it!

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