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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Original poster

Advice about what type of brace

10 replies

mahonia7 · 03/06/2007 21:51

I took my 11 year old son (12 in a few weeks) to the orthodontist the other day. He has given me two options one is free on the NHS and the other costs £3200 (flat fee).

Option one - free on the NHS. Remove two premolars at the top then train track brace.

Second option - removable brace in day, head gear at night to move all the teeth back and then train tracks to move the teeth forward into position.

He said the second option was best. He said that the removal of two teeth may make him look gummy at the back of the mouth if he ends up being a big guy.

Does this sound right? He will be left with six upper teeth either side not including wisdom teeth. Can anyone see that far in someone's mouth when they smile?

Anyone had any experience of this?

Many thanks

OP posts:

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 03/06/2007 21:57

My dd - who's 13, has the first option. She had two teeth removed , then a removable brace for a few months - her canines were forward and above her other teeth and needed to be brought down. She how has her fixed brace to close the gaps. This is on NHS - we weren't offered an alternative.

I had two top teeth removed due to overcrowding but no brace and I have no gaps.

If you have it done on the NHS is there a long wait. That seems to be the case locally.

scatterbrain · 03/06/2007 21:59

I had the first option - many moons ago - have no gaps now.

CantSleepWontSleep · 03/06/2007 21:59

Sounds like he recommended which one is 'best' based on how much money he would make out of it.

As an early teen I had 4 teeth removed (one top right, one top left, one bottom right, one bottom left), a train track brace, a whisker (assume this is the 'head gear' you mention) and even little elastic bands to strap between an attachment to the track on the top and bottom (I had a large overbite). All of this was on the NHS.

I don't look at all gummy, and you cannot see any gaps in my teeth (not just that you can't see them, there aren't any there!).

wheniamqueen · 04/06/2007 15:10

I had a few teeth removed and then train tracks on my front top teeth, and from looking at your options it definatly seems the least painful. If your not sure ask for a second opinion, especially if their pushing for you to pay for expensive treatment. I had a friend who was told she needed to have so many fillings and cetain teeth out and it would cost over £1000 so she went to another dentist who said she didnt need anything. If your unsure i would get a second professional opinion, when it comes to teeth better safe than sorry you only get 2 sets!

ScottishThistle · 04/06/2007 15:14

I had 4 teeth removed, 2 top & 2 bottom in my teens & a track brace on my bottom teeth.

I have no gaps!

Go with the NHS I say.

LittleWonder · 04/06/2007 15:17

Go for the first option. Or seek another opinion. Save yourself 3200! the private option usually only means that you can come after school. My daughter had train tracks on NHS - they are all the rage at that age, so no embarassment. It is a nonsense about being gummy at the bck as well. I would find a highly recommended orthodontist if I were you. They will always give the two options, but the NHS work is absolutely fine. Head gear at night sounds worse anyway.

MrsBadger · 04/06/2007 15:24

I had something similar to the first option and now have only have five top teeth one side and six the other (not including wisdom teeth) - no gaps and not 'gummy' in the slightest.

Headgear can be an utter pain and tbh fixed traintracks are a sight easier to handle than a removable brace.

lilolilmanchester · 04/06/2007 19:32

DS just had NHS brace and fantastic results. But I guess it depends on your DS's particular needs. Could you ask your regular dentist's opinion?

Original poster

mahonia7 · 04/06/2007 20:54

Hi Everyone

Thanks so much for all your brilliant replies. I have spoken to the receptionist at the orthodontists today to make sure he goes on the NHS waiting list. I've also arranged a second opinion just in case as I spoke to another surgery that thought the teeth could be saved on the NHS.

Best wishes

OP posts:

susue · 05/06/2007 08:09

When I was young [many moons ago] I had 4 teeth removed and a removable brace, so did my sisters. I was the only one that kept mine in, the other two threw theirs away or conveniently lost them!! My son had 4 teeth removed 4 years ago and had traintrack braces on top and bottom teeth and they weren't too painful, stayed in [obviusly] and his teeth are beautiful. He didn't look gummy at all, and it was done on the NHS.

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