Can anyone give me some advice re orthodontic treatment ? Fixed braces versus Invisalign ?

[Winetimeisfinetime]

My ds,who is 14 needs orthodontic treatment and has recently been approved for fixed braces on the NHS. After being on the waiting list for 3 years we hadn't really expected this and had been saving to pay for private treatment for him.

I have a bit of a dilemma though as I have Invisalign braces, having not been able to cope with the discomfort of a fixed brace and wonder whether we ought to do this for ds as well. My concern { other than the cost which we can use what we have saved and cover the rest by taking out a loan } is will he get as good a result with Invisalign ?

The orthodontist says that he is at the outer limit of what Invisalign can cope with but they should work for him and that if we go that route he will not need the 2 teeth out that would need to be removed for the fixed brace. But on the other hand I don't think that Invisalign will sort out the problems with his 'bite'. How important is this ? I have always been told that my bite needs sorting out but in practical terms I have never been aware of this being a problem so not sure how crucial it is.

I also would feel guilty if he has to have extractions and then the discomfort of a fixed brace when I have my Invisalign ones which are pain free.

Bumping for you.

Thanks PuzzleRocks

More in hope than expectation bump !

Don't know, but may soon need to know, so bump for you!

What are Invisalign braces?

How do the Invisalign braces work? Would there not be some discomfort, as the teeth are being moved against where they naturally are? Sorry to ask a stupid question.

Hi Uriel, they are clear plastic braces which you have to remove for eating. You change them every two weeks or so as the movement of your teeth progresses.

There is a link here :Invisalign

There is a bit of discomfort when you put on a new brace but that doesn't last long. Having had both types of brace myself I would definitely say that Invisalign are far less painful. There are also no metal parts to ping off into the side if your face as happened on several occasions when I had a fixed brace. I did have it as an adult though so not sure if children tend to tolerate them better than I did.

They look good. Must be expensive!

I had a fixed brace for 3 years 3 days! that came off 13days ago. (strange what you remember). I have 3 teenagers within the family currently wearing fixed braces and all love them. It seems to be all about the colour bands they have!? They never complain about the discomfort. Although I felt it, for 2/3 days after ajustments. I also never did get this bite thing. I couldn't get my bottom teeth over the top, I never noticed it as a problem. yes i was goofy but could still eat, talk and snog!

Your DS has been waiting 3 years?

I've been very interested in Invislign for DS, as he has an underbite - how much do they cost?

Sorry for the hijack!

I had 'traditional' fixed braces, which was a nightmare, but not because of the type of brace but awful NHS orthodontists. I don't think that one of them was even qualified - I saw him 4 or 5 times, he always mumbled something about 'we'll look next time' & (luckily) never touched me before disappearing & the whole practice shutting down. I think he just wandered in off the street .

That presumably rare scenario aside, I'm glad that I had the fixed braces & the 4 extractions that went with them. The extractions weren't that unpleasant - I have a huge issue with teeth & I wasn't that bothered, although I didn't take them home despite the dentist's kind offer I think that the main benefit of that was that now there is room in my mouth for wisdom teeth - aligning a 14 year old's teeth now may not be of any long-term benefit when the extra teeth come through at the back & cause problems one way or another. That would be my main concern - I don't know how relevant that is to your DS.

don't write the nhs off so quickly!

my ds has had a great result with fixed braces.

I had fixed braces (twice) and 4 teeth out. Had lovely straight teeth, then when my wisdom teeth came in they've crowded my mouth again, now I have an overlapping slightly, front tooth, and the bottoms aren't as straight anymore. Something to consider, whatever option you go for.

They deliberately left enough room in my mouth for my wisdom teeth, but I suppose it does depend on the individual. I'm only ever going to have one (says it all ) but it's through without a problem - & has been far less traumatic in coming through than it seems to have been for a lot of people whose teeth have been in the way.

Thanks for all of your replies.

I think because I had such a painful time with fixed braces I am a bit biased against them . Perhaps they are harder to tolerate when you are adult but I would hate for my ds to go through the same discomfort I did .

The wisdom teeth coming through and undoing all the good work is something I hadn't even considered. I had all my orthodontic work done after my wisdom teeth were removed so it wasn't an issue for me.

I think I will take him along to my next Invisalign appt and see what my dentist says about the prospect of them working for him and the issue of what happens when his wisdom teeth come through. I am a big fan of Invisalign as I have been amazed by how effective and comfortable they have been - only downside is the cost but our dentist offers finance which cushions the blow slightly.