To embark on orthodontic work or not?

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

dd saw the orthodontist recently for an initial appt. She has to go back in a couple of months to have her options explained to us.
We were told that the likely recommendation would be two teeth taken out from the top jaw and a brace. But we were left with the impression that it was kind of borderline whether she would need it.

orthodontist said that her teeth are pretty much in line and meet nicely but her front teeth are forward from her bottom ones by 6mm. I asked what would happen if we left it and she said it was likely they would remain as they are. (but there were 4 wisdom teeth clearly evident lying in wait) dd herself has no concerns about her teeth.

So, what to do? If it could be fairly guaranteed that they would remain the same then we would be happy to leave it. But I'd hate to leave it and then have issues in years to come.

OYBBK - she has an overbite, from what you've said, yes? Does it inconvenience her in terms of eating? Does it cause speech problems? Does it look odd?

all that aside, her wisdom teeth coming through will affect the placing of her teeth. I had several teeth out in both jaws because of overcrowding - they were all nice and straight, but still close together - when my wisdom teeth came through, it forced the front ones to cross over each other slightly so they are now crooked, and flossing is difficult to impossible.

What WILL make a difference is if she turns out to need orthodontistry later - because things take a LOT longer to move as you get older.

So, if you can afford it, I would say get it done now - at least it will give your DD a bit more space in her jaw for when her wisdom teeth come through.

It doesnt seem to give her any issues but I am a bit worried that her teeth are a bit more vulnerable - shes a keen rider.
Its having the teeth taken out that makes me feel really :( and her very worried. Her teeth are in perfect condition and it so goes against the grain to take any out!

I know what you mean - when one of mine broke, I was very against having one of my only good ones destroyed to make a bridge! I ended up having an alternative that didn't destroy my good teeth.

However - you could look at it like this - as she gets older, they might not stay perfectly healthy, so it's two fewer teeth to potentially cause problems as well :)

And the more space there is between teeth, the more chance they have of staying healthy because they can be cleaned more effectively.

We are going through this too....dd has had umpteen (four!) baby teeth out to make room.....she has just lost the last one at 15, thank goodness.

Orthodontist wants to make space by removing 4 adult teeth, that's going to be after her exams, and then braces top and bottom.

He thinks it's bad enough for the NHS to pay (phew) but has had to refer her details for assessment.

DS2 has already had a retainer and a top fixed brace, and may need more, but Dr Gorgeous thinks that DS2 may grow and make space for all his teeth, so we are watching and waiting!

Soooooo in answer to the op I'd probably go for it, especially if the NHS will fund it.

Thank you both :) I won't make a final decision until the next appt but I'll start preparing dd for the one we may make. (how on earth do I persuade dd that it will be ok? - the colour drained from her face when the ortho spoke about removing teeth)

If the NHS are going to fund it. Do it. Our DD started some orthadontic work in December. So far it has only been the removal of four baby teeth. Reassure your DD that if a hysterical nine year old can sing 'ring of fire' while having three dentists trying to get one stubborn one out. Anyone can.
We are hoping to continue the treatment on NHS when we get back to England.

I'm not sure that is very reassuring kreecher

I'd do it. I regret vetoing the idea of braces on the basis that I was already getting the shit kicked out of me at school (already had specs and was foot taller than every single person in my year of 300 kids) I now have quite wonky teeth and can't face the idea of having a brace now (although one of my best friends has just had one for a year and her teeth now look lovely).

Neither of us are bothered about the braces. (I too wish I'd had them - my teeth are awful) its the removing teeth that us both hesitant.

I have a small mouth and needed 4 teeth out to make room in both top and bottom jaw and then had my wisdom teeth out too when they finally arrived as no room for them. From what I can recall I would have been about 10 when all my 4's (count the middle pair, top and bottom as the 1's and count round with 8's being wisdom teeth) were taken out. They are just straight small single-root teeth so it is pretty straightforward. Just with anasthetic injections in the gums. Over time the next teeth behind move forwards a bit, mine tilt slightly but the front ones have stayed nicely lined up. I don't think it is as easy to move adult teeth in a non-growing jaw.

My boss has a bad overbite and as an adult is trying to get this fixed. He has had a brace now for about 9 months but it didn't work; he now faces them doing an operation to break his jaw and realign it all so his teeth meet together. It sounds as awful as it will no doubt be and he has been told to expect minimum 2 weeks off work totally as part of the recovery time. If there is a chance that taking some smaller teeth out fairly painlessly now plus a brace for a short time will get your daughter nice teeth, I'd really go for it.

Regarding making her feel OK about it, I was quite a gory child so was fascinated to get to keep my teeth and see what they look like below the gum. She will get a day or so of soup and ice-cream too I bet.

My DD is quite odd TBH. Seriously, if it on offer, do it. My DH has horrible teeth (he acknowledge it) and this is a result of his parents and their can't be arsed attitude to anything other than god. He was offered orthodontistry, although it would have been called something different in the dim and distant past. He often feels his teeth have blighted his life to some extent and is determined that DD shan't have the same happen to her.

:) thanks guys. Certainly if it is offered on the nhs then we should go for it as it has to be quite bad to get it on the nhs? If not we will strongly consider it. It won't be nice but i don't want her feeling awkward and self conscious about her teeth in years to come.