Braces/Orthodontic treatment - what do I need to think about/ask?

[MrsFogi]

We have and NHS referral for ds1 (who has teeth all over the place) but I'd be okay with paying. We're going to see a couple of orthodontists and I'd be really grateful for any pointers about what I should be asking/thinking about before we start on what I understand can be a very long/time consuming/expensive road. Also, does anyone know if we'd get any difference in treatment if we went either the private or NHS route?

Dd is undergoing NHS treatment right now for a 9mm overbite.

Referred from our dentist (private) and initial appt was photos, measuring and given a thingy to take to local hospital for xrays at our convenience.

Next appt we took xrays in and she had moulds taken for block braces. It tastes awful apparently, so a drink or mint for afterwards is good.

Then block braces fitted, they caused her a fair bit of discomfort and we could barely understand her when talking, plus drooling.
Get stocked up with painkillers and tissue!

She now has fixed braces upper and lower, much less discomfort with these, but fairly bad ulcers which she coped with brilliantly.
Stock up with painkillers and table salt for mouth rinsing.

Tbh, the orthodontist is wonderful, seen incredibly promptly and each stage explained really well.

Good luck!

When my daughter went we were sent away for a year. Then back where moulds and X-rays were taken. This was where we discovered an adult tooth in the roof of her mouth. That needed surgery. Then finally after 2 years she got her top brace. She got it off last week and the change is amazing.

Her bottom lot cannot be done until she has jaw surgery in a couple of years as her lower jaw is in the wrong place.

So it's quite complex for her.

Funding takes around 12 weeks at the moment to be approved.

At our orthodontist NHS is all done in day time. Private is all evening work.

This is the before and after of the top teeth!

Does she have an underbite -grovee-? I had one and had surgery 12 years ago, best thing I ever did.

Her lower jaw sticks out further than it should. Can't remember what they called it but she wants it rectified. It will be strange as she looks like my wee girl!

Glad you are happy with having it done. I think she will too.

Reverse overjet

How do you know if you qualify for nhs orthodontics?

You ask for a referral from your dentist. They can usually tell but if not, the orthodontist will tell you at consultation.

Adults very rarely qualify.

You could google IOTN which gives an indication.

You only know once you've seen the orthodontist. Dd's teeth were horrendous as not enough room! She was classed as worse case.

But I know others who have had a slight overlap of teeth not be considered for funding.

Great thanks for update!:-(

Meant :-) sorry not actually sad!

DS has had initial appointment with orthodontist (referred foprm NHS dentist) and is going back to make the moulds in a week or two. Orthodontist said there are 5 stages of severity and if in stage 4 or 5 it is funded on the NHS. DS is in Stage 4 (although really he's hardly disfigured, am quite surprised he was deemed a priority). Nothing was said about what kind of brace it would be. Am slightly anxious as he's starting secondary in September, 10 days after it's due to be fitted, and I don't want it to be a big deal for him.