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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To consider stopping dd treatment

16 replies

Onedaysomeday2023 · 21/04/2023 19:19

Name change

Dd 10 got twin block braces fitted today and shes struggling to talk with them as expected
The thing is she has selective mutism that has recently improved to much that she now talks at School.
She has been so quiet today am scared that she will go backwards. The orthodontist is very un child friendly so i dont think he will offer much advice

OP posts:
moonspiral · 21/04/2023 19:22

I wouldn't. You get one chance with braces

moonspiral · 21/04/2023 19:23

Also give a week to see if that helps

WafflingDreamer · 21/04/2023 19:29

I don't know anything about teeth but having a child with SM I wouldn't risk any kind of regression. Any chance you could retry the braces at the start of the summer holidays so they have 6 weeks at home getting used to them first. SMiRA have a very supportive Facebook group that might gave some more helpful advice

MirrorMirror1247 · 21/04/2023 19:30

She's getting used to having things in her mouth that aren't normally there and are likely going to cause her some discomfort, so it's not surprising she's been quieter today.

It's definitely too soon to consider stopping treatment. I stopped my own treatment at the age of 12 because I was an idiot and 2 years seemed like such a long time. I ended up having major jaw surgery to get the best result with my orthodontic treatment in my 20s, which could probably have been avoided if I'd stuck it out when I was younger.

I don't know much about selective mutism and how she might be affected because of the braces, but please persevere with the treatment. I promise it'll be worth it.

Singleandproud · 21/04/2023 19:35

Twin block braces are painful to begin with, they make you dribble, and it's hard to speak but you do get used to them, give her a few days and see how she is.

Starlightdarkness · 21/04/2023 19:36

Give her a bit of time. What's her opinion - about the treatment and how her teeth are? Is she keen to have treatment?
Things to watch out for - if she doesn't have the overjet corrected with the twin block she may not qualify for NHS ortho treatment at all to tidy other issues up ( but leave her with the overjet, sometimes called camouflage treatment) and that there's a window of opportunity for this treatment, it needs to be in place pre growth spurt. If she's got a severe overjet and decides she wants treatment when older than its likely surgery with a couple of years of fixed braces before and after. I'd be very positive and see how she goes over the weekend.

AP5Diva · 21/04/2023 19:37

They’re really painful the first few days, so I would wait and observe before making any decisions.

cathcath2 · 21/04/2023 19:40

I would see how she goes over the weekend. If she is better by Sunday definitely persevere for a week. I completely get where you are coming from over the SM regression but I also wouldn't want her to regret not pursuing treatment. I would second heading over to the SMIRA Facebook page - you are far more likely to get someone with the same experience over there.

Grapewrath · 21/04/2023 19:50

My dd had these and didn’t get on with them at all. The dentist was great and said they aren’t it for everyone so re did her dental plan to make sure she didn’t have them. He said the result wouldn’t be as good but to me, DDs teeth after train tracks look perfect

TheGoogleMum · 21/04/2023 19:53

I had those and hated them, I ended up not sticking with it so never got to train tracks. As an adult I paid for invisalign and my teeth are much better now.

Original poster
Onedaysomeday2023 · 21/04/2023 19:58

Its tricky as i know that she will be thankful when older but she has spend 6 yrs not talking at school. The suggestion about starting over the summer hoildays is brilliant. Will look at the Facebook page as this is much more then not liking them

OP posts:
GoodChat · 21/04/2023 19:58

Braces are painful and uncomfortable. She wouldn't communicate as much for a week even without her usual difficulties. It'll be the same every time she has them tightened.

WalKat · 12/09/2023 22:11

I this is a few months old but wondering how they got on?

My daughter has to have a brace for a quote noticeable overjet and has selective mutism.

The orthodontist has been very understanding and has mentioned it as a consideration for us when making the decision to go ahead. Daughter really wants teeth to look normal but isn't really aware of how it will affect speech. Again she's been doing so well I don't want anything to set her back in her speaking!

Lightbluegreen · 12/09/2023 22:33

moonspiral · 21/04/2023 19:22

I wouldn't. You get one chance with braces

And sometimes they don't even work...

GreenMonty · 12/09/2023 22:38

My son has just finished twin block and is on to fixed braces. He did find it difficult to talk but got used to them. It's so worth it - his overjet was quite large. It's hard going but it's for a relatively short time.

lizzy8230 · 13/09/2023 06:47

One of my dc's had twin block braces and yes they're painful and it takes a while to get used to them. We had tears and upset and it was really hard to stick with it to begin with. Very tempting to just stop.
However, if there's a bad overjet or overbite it's so worth it. It's life changing. My dd was forever thankful that she coped with the temporary pain to get beautiful looking teeth she feels happy about. The emotional discomfort she'd had from feeling permanently self conscious was much worse.

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