Twin block braces

[Ouchlikeholly]

Hi, DD is 14 and the orthodontist has said she needs twin block braces. DD is autistic and wants to refuse treatment and says her reason is it is unnecessary and she is ok with her teeth the way they are. The orthodontist is going to phone me next week and has suggested making the block braces so DD can try them and she won't glue them in like she usually does. At the moment I can't imagine DD agreeing to this.

I might be able to make her change her mind if there is a good reason to have them other than cosmetic but unfortunately didn't think to ask at the time as DD was upset. However, I'm concerned that even if she does agree she won't be able to cope with having them. She goes to school but hardly speaks there and I'm worried that if she has the block braces she would be reluctant to attend or stop talking there altogether.

I'm wondering if there are any alternatives that might be easier to cope with. Obviously I'm going to ask the orthodontist these questions when I speak to her but if anyone has any advice it would be useful. Thanks.

Bump

I have posted these pictures before of the amazing before and after results from when my child wore twin block braces. They were hard to wear at first - lots of dribbling and some pain which was addressed by paracetamol, after a week they didn’t seem to be a problem. The only other solution would be breaking their jaw which would involve surgery and GA, and not a guaranteed result. These were worn for a year then train track braces for two years - the twin blocks bought in the overbite and the train tracks closed the gaps. my child has a metal strip retainer glued behind their top teeth which is still there 8 years later.

There are a few other threads about twin blocks so I've C&P'd my response to one of the other threads below...

"My eldest was given them at 12 1/2 years (last spring) and wore them constantly for about 5 months - they worked like a dream and the overjet went from 15mm to 4mm in the time. Since then they're only worn at night to maintain the jaw position until the train tracks are fitted (still waiting on a couple of adult teeth to descend before this can be done)."

Our experience has been that they have been well worth the minor discomfort/getting used to them. DS can now close his mouth properly and chew efficiently and is far more confident as a result.

The reasons other than cosmetic are that the teeth stick out so they are at a high risk of being broken / knocked out. Also they this treatment would cost in excess of £5k once they are over 18. They didn’t affect talking at all. My child’s weren’t glued in, they could take them out for eating and cleaning them, that must be a new thing, I believe the compliance is quite low - maybe it’s for that.

Ds was told without them he would need jaw surgery as a young adult. They are used to expand the mouth which in turn may correct bite alignment and make hygiene easier so it is more than cosmetic. He was shown before and after pictures as examples.

Thanks very much for the replies. I've had another talk with DD and I think she's edging towards being willing to give them a try.

Did your dd have braces in the end ouchlikeholly? I was reading your posts and wondered how she was getting on?

Hi, sorry, only just noticed your reply. She tried them for a day then refused. I haven't been able to persuade her as she insists she is happy with her teeth the way they are.