braces, anyone ever been offered them, but not had them fitted?

[whizzmum]

Hi, my 12 year old DS has been told he needs a brace. His top teeth only protrude slightly, so it's not a massive problem. If he's happy with them as they are (he is and so am I), do you think it's still necessary to go ahead? It's not that I don't want to do what's best for him, but it's purely asthetic! What would you do? He also has to have between 2-4 teeth out, have no problems with that as it's due to overcrowding. Many thanks.

It's such a personal decision, but for what it's worth, I was offered and declined braces (plus 4 teeth out) when I was 16/17. I didn't want to go to university with train tracks on my teeth, and thought they were OK anyway - not perfect, but OK.

Now (age 38) I really, really wish I'd had the brace. The crowding seems to have got worse over time, and general ageing/chipping of teeth means I notice the lack of alignment much much more. I'm contemplating paying for orthodontic work as an adult. Wish I'd got it over with as a teen.

I would absolutely go ahead with it. It's more than just cosmetic. The NHS is not exactly generous with provision of braces, so if you've been told your DS needs one, I think you can believe it. I was rejected for orthodontic treatment when I was 13 because it 'wasn't necessary', and now at 39, like OmiDroid, I have various alignment problems. When I took my daughter for a brace fitting (for medical not cosmetic reasons) the orthodondist - not in the UK - couldn't believe I had been told there was no problem.

I chose not to have a brace in my late teens and have now got one fitted in my late 30s. Wish I had done it earlier when everyone else did but the only plus is that technology is better now!

My dp refused them when he was 16.
His teeth cause him a lot of trouble now and are quite crooked.
He regrets refusing them.

My DH also refused them (at 16!) and has dental problems. He alos refused to have his jaw reset and has trouble biting but would rather live with that than go through it as an adult.

Agree that if they're offering it then they really do think he needs the treatment.

Same as others.

I had teeth removed due to overcrowding but refused the braces as a teenager, and I really wish I'd had them now. My teeth are still overcrowded and my mother, from whom I inherited my small mouth, has problems with gum erosion due to overcrowding.

Straight teeth are not purely aesthetic. I had 4 teeth pulled followed by braces when I was 12/13. I thank my parents for this hefty expense every time I see someone with crooked teeth, which are not only ugly but will also grind away because they don't fit together properly.

Like others on this thread, I was offered a brace at about the age of 14 for protruding top teeth, but neither me or my mum could really see a problem. Now I'm (quite a bit) older I wish I'd had them as my teeth are badly misaligned. They still don't look cosmetically bad but I suffer a lot of pain in my jaw.

The dentist has just referred my ds1 (11) to the orthodontist. He does have quite an overbite and some overcrowding, but I don't know whether he'll qualify for a brace on the NHS. The dentist thinks that it'd be 18 mths till we heard anything from the orthodontist anyway...

My son was boderline for eligibility on the NHS. He was assessed twice and it was decided he wasn't eligible and we would have to pay if we wanted to go ahead. He needed 4 teeth removing due to overcrowding and top and bottom braces for approx 18mths. We were told it would cost approx £1600. Initially we decided not to go ahead as he didn't seem that bothered - but then we decided that at 12 it ws best to get it out of the way and set him up for adult life - and we re so glad we did. His braces went on just after he was 12 and were off by 13.5 and he now has perfect teeth - he is supposed to wear retainer few nights a week indefinitely so it is a long term commitment - but we are so glad we went ahead. If there is no financial decisions involved them I would say go for it - he has nothing to lose.

my parents ignored the advice to have braces fitted on me and it is now the one bit of me that I really hate and feel self conscious about. Wonky teeth that chip easily and are hard to brush. Had a quote to get them fixed as an adult and it meant jaw surgery and having my jaws wired together while the healed. I really really wish they had sorted them then

Hi, everyone. Thank you so much for your extremely informative replies! I have definitely been swayed in the direction of going ahead and DS is happy to as well. As implied, you do have to look ahead at potential problems in later life and cost luckily is not too much of an issue, because my son will always come first - we'll get the money somehow!! My one and only doubt is that the orthodontist mentioned that he may have to have a bottom brace as well and I just worry that my son is geared up for top braces but may find a whole mouthful a little daunting. Thank you for the replies. PS Pixie, you weren't waffling, your reply was very helpful.

I work in the orthodontic department in a NHS hospital. If he has been offered treatment, he will have met a strict criteria. We have to turn alot of people away. This is about function not just aesthetics.
There will also probably be a waiting list - so go for the treatment - you can always change your mind - right up to the day the braces are put on! Ask the orthodontist to go through the treatment plan with you again - there maybe more than one brace involved - sometimes a removeable before a fixed train track type. I agree that 12/13 year olds boys just sometimes aren't that bothered what they look like now - but will do at 17/18. In my experience they do needed guidance to make an informed choice. Good luck!

Thanks, ladders - very helpful post.

Went to Orthodontist yesterday, got on great, DS seems okay about wearing them - has to have braces on top and bottom teeth and have 2-4 teeth out (will decide on how many at next visit, which will be final one before actual fitting). But now I have another problem , DH had no problem with braces but has said why should he loose 2-4 perfectly good teeth for the sake of a brace? He said that if it's only to make way for the teeth moving back, then he doesn't agree with it. I can't win!! Luckily, my Ds is oblivious to our indifferences, which we will keep to ourselves as I don't want to dent his confidence or put any doubt in HIS mind. I want to go ahead, as I think the orthodontist knows best, but what can I do?????

The healthy teeth which are being removed are likely to cause problems for your son when he is older. As others have said, if he has been offered the treatment on the NHS then it is needed. They do turn a lot of people away.

Thanks, MissAnne, yes, I have no problem with the treatment myself!!! I am lucky enough to have a dental hygienist for a SIL, who is back from hols shortly, so will be asking her to have a "friendly" chat with DH to put his mind at rest!! PS, sorry to sound dense, but what sort of probems might they cause later if they're only being removed to make way for the brace shifting the teeth? Thx.

Yes, what pixieonaleaf said about not being able to clean them properly if they are too crowded. Your hygenist SIL would be best placed to explain that one to your DH. DD1 had four teeth removed before she had her braces fitted and unless you asked her to open very wide and count the teeth, you'd never know.

Thanks, Pixie. Anyway, he will be getting all the treatment he is entitled to, regardless of what DH thinks!! After all, it's my son's teeth and not my DH's!!! Don't you just love 'em? We do all the dentist runs/doctors etc..... and then they find cause to question!!! Thanks to all for advice. P.S. In a year and a half it will all be done and dusted! PS Pixie, what type of anaesthetic will they use on my DS (he's 12) and okay-ish with needles, but not great with them either. Thank you.

Okay, many thanks.