teeth braces .

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Looking for help
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Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:12 am
Location: Berkshire

Post by Looking for help »

I wouldnt worry too much about the growing thing.....I have been diagnosed recently with overbite, and advised to have braces (at 45 :oops: ). I havent gone for them yet as Im really not too sure yet about changing the shape of my face which it will definitely do.

sorry about lack of apostrophe here, the darned key isnt working on the keyboard
KB
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Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:28 pm

Post by KB »

Interesting because we were told that if DS didn't have treatment before he stopped growing it wouldn't be possible later & could cause more than 'cosmetic' problems.

We have NHS treatment as a priority case (plus know the dentist :) so I don't think we were being 'encouraged' into treatment without good reason.

A friend (late 40s) had a brace fitted recently because her teeth had shifted forward (sure there is a technical term :) Apparently its always been quite common with age but quite new for anyone to do anything about it!
wanting the best
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Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2009 3:15 pm

Post by wanting the best »

Please tell you DD not to worry. It is cool to have braces nowadays. Speech is different with the removable braces but we didn't notice any difference with the fixed ones. My DC plays the flute and had to learn to blow with the braces. Please make sure you get some wax from the orthodontist. This is used if the braces hurt and my DC found it helped a lot with the pain. Not all orthodontists give it (my DC's friend was advised by her orthodontisit to use blue tack!!!). It costs about a pound for one box and worth every penny.
Looking for help
Posts: 3767
Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:12 am
Location: Berkshire

Post by Looking for help »

KB wrote:Interesting because we were told that if DS didn't have treatment before he stopped growing it wouldn't be possible later & could cause more than 'cosmetic' problems.

We have NHS treatment as a priority case (plus know the dentist :) so I don't think we were being 'encouraged' into treatment without good reason.

A friend (late 40s) had a brace fitted recently because her teeth had shifted forward (sure there is a technical term :) Apparently its always been quite common with age but quite new for anyone to do anything about it!
I actually do have a major jaw problem and my dentist reckons getting the braces would have stopped it from happening so who knows? Anyhow, I have never really trusted dentists and often take a lot of what they say with a pinch of salt
inkypinkyponky
Posts: 1863
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:41 pm
Location: Gravesend, Kent

Post by inkypinkyponky »

DD1 lisped and spat for only about two days when fitted with train-tracks, which she got around by not speaking at school for those two days! Also, when originally fitted, her little mouth had been wedged open for 45mins, so couldn't actually eat the next day coz it hurt too much opening her mouth. Don't tell your DD this though! But have some Complan or soup ready in the cupboard which she can slurp through a straw!

Definitely get the wax in the little box, it really helped with the wire ends.

The initial fitting and every tightening session did cause discomfort, until a friend advised giving pain relief about half hour BEFORE the appointment. Then the analgesic will already be working when the discomfort starts, instead of waiting til the ouch kicks in!

Result was lovely straight teeth in nine months, not two years. Unfortunately now she's 15 her wisdom teeth have come through and moved all her teeth forward until front ones are crooked again. Grrrr!
Sassie'sDad
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Location: Rugby

Post by Sassie'sDad »

My dd1 had a mismatch of teeth between top and bottem jaw. Wen a tooth is not opposed it does not erupt properly, or at all. Hence she was given the chioce between doing nothing and a having the non-opposed teeth removed and then the gaps closed by brace work. She was also told that following successful orthodentistry, she would need top wear a retainer overnight (somewhat like a hocky brace) for evr more (to prevent the good work being undone.
she opted for that and put up with it throughout her A level years and first year of Uni. Here in the Midlands good NHS orthodentists are not being given permanent contracts. Ours was on 3 months and he had a family of 5 children of secondary school age. He told us at the outset he couldn't guarantee staying the course and 18 months in he finnally had enough and took a job in Scotland. That left two consultant's patients queing for one specialist. It also meant travelling from the south coast to midlands and back just for treatment. Never the less it has been a resounding success and my dd is very happy with the outcome!
onwardandupward
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Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:51 am
Location: islington

Post by onwardandupward »

Thanks for tips, InkyPinkyPonky. That's a blow about the wisdoms moving the teeth forward again only a few years later, so will she have the crooked ones corrected or leave them as they are? The whole thing must seem like a pointless excercise.
Ally
Posts: 299
Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:30 pm
Location: Hertfordshire

Post by Ally »

My DS who's in Y6 has his first appointment just after half term. He's got an overbite, so it does need treating. He's doesn't seem worried as at the moment as he doesn't know what to expect. All your advice has been really helpful. Thanks
sj355
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Joined: Thu Nov 02, 2006 4:07 pm
Location: Finchley - Barnet

Post by sj355 »

I feel for you zorro. Mine had his fitted in May last year and with good luck they will come out this September. We have gone down the private route as the state alternative came with tooth extractions. To cut a long story short I show no reason why perfectly good teeth should come out (although with hindsight this means than any future wisdom teeth will have no further space left to grow in). At a price, by magic the technology does exist to have braces fitted which require no teeth extractions, have less apointments, are smaller, look smart and shine like tiny diamonds, and have to be worn for a shorter period (the consulations for the hefty price involved)

The first week was one of shock and agony. My son is (not my words) a handsome boy. One has to be realistic; he looks better with out them than with them. He had a painful (very sore) 4-5 days and he talked kind of strange, but after that he completley forgot about them, there was no pain and no speech alteration. Also there was no problem in his school as the vast majority were, are or about to wear braces. The same will apply to your son's school; they are all sailing the same ship!

Noverthelesss, last year I tried to prepare him for a blow to his male ego and warned him that in the summer the girls may not find him as attractive as previously to which I received the reply: "Why shouldn't they? I will explain to them that this is a strictly temporary situation!" Young people do have strange tastes: during last summer's holidays he has been more popular with girls than previously and has also added to his circle some female friends with braces!

The one that took longer to adjust was me (never wore any braces, nor did my husband). However I have now realised that I will find it very strange when he gets them out and even a bit sad as this will symbolise the removal of one of the final traces of childhood which are now slowly dissapearing as our children grow up into young men.
sj355
Plum
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Joined: Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:26 am

Post by Plum »

Hi

I had 4 braces when I was a teenager - obviously not all at the same time!

I had metal rings around my teeth and little elastic bands that joined the top to the bottom braces. They hurt like **** and I was so pleased to get rid of them.

However, I am so glad that I had them. I had a major over bite up top and very crooked bottom teeth. Now, they are all lovely and straight. So well worth it in the end.

Also, I've noticed that more and more adults are getting their teeth done - it must cost a fortune so much better to have it done now!

Tell your DC to concentrate on the outcome - it will be worth it!

Plum
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