Orthodontic Treatment

When I was roughly 14 I began orthodontic treatment for my upper row of teeth to remedy their appearance and a slight over-bite. I remember I hated it and soon stopped turning up to appointments and wearing the retainer.

3 years on I realise that I should really have seen the treatment through and if given the opportunity I would. What should I do? Who should I contact? What costs may be involved?

Thanks for your help

Reply 1

jokjok11

hey there, It depends how old are you now, and also depends on the degree of appearance you have on your teeth now. As far as I know, on the NHS, It is measured on a scale, and if you do not reach this scale, treatment will not be given. This was put in place to reduce the waiting lis of orthodontic treatment. (unless you go private) You would need to see your dentist for more info on this though.

Dan

Reply 2

bunthulhu

14

Ring the orthodontist and make an appointment?! :rolleyes:

Sounds like you're 17 in which case it should still be covered...well, if it was covered in the first place, that is.

Reply 3

fettucini

1

If you can't get it on the NHS I think it costs like £1000.

Reply 4

Anonymous #1

OP

bunthulhu

Ring the orthodontist and make an appointment?! :rolleyes:

Sounds like you're 17 in which case it should still be covered...well, if it was covered in the first place, that is.

Thanks for your information so far.

I'm just thinking they might not want to treat me because I ended up not turning up to my previous treatments. Would it be better to go to the dentist and get a referral?

Reply 5

bunthulhu

14

Anonymous

Thanks for your information so far.

I'm just thinking they might not want to treat me because I ended up not turning up to my previous treatments. Would it be better to go to the dentist and get a referral?

Did you cancel or just not turn up at all? If it's the latter they won't have been very happy about that and probably won't want you back in which case, yes, it's a good idea to get a referral I should think. :smile:

Reply 6

red_Rose

1

Go and see your regular dentist and mention that you are interested in orthodontic treatment, he will then refer you to an orthodontist.

I stopped my treatment at a certain stage years ago, mainly because i did not want a fixed brace and then when i was 15 and realsed i did want my teeth fixed i spoke to my dentist and got a referal and thus treatment.

Reply 7

Xx Tomásíona - Mháire xX

14

Anonymous

When I was roughly 14 I began orthodontic treatment for my upper row of teeth to remedy their appearance and a slight over-bite. I remember I hated it and soon stopped turning up to appointments and wearing the retainer.

3 years on I realise that I should really have seen the treatment through and if given the opportunity I would. What should I do? Who should I contact? What costs may be involved?

Thanks for your help

Firstly you'll have to ring up your old orthodontist and ask what your situation is - they could be still a little annoyed about you not going to appointments as it wastes money and time and since your seen as still technically a patient there they'll have your records therefore you won't be on much of a waiting list. In my orthodontists if you stop your treatment they will not accept you back but hopefully yours will be different but if they say no get your dentist to refer you to another orthodontist but please just keep to the treatment it really is worth while after it's done :smile:

Reply 8

Dhesi

2

Since its been three years you probably wont be registered with the orthodontist anymore. Its a good idea to talk to them just to see where the land lies and then if need be have your own dentist refer you to them again.

Reply 9

C00kies

You're 17 and I'm seventeen and still need to more years braces, but I think I have to pay when I turn 18. I think if you can handle it, you can get them tightened super tight so it takes maybe half the time (I know a friend who was going into the army and so had his done in 8 months) but it's really, really painful. Otherwise its not painful at all btw for brace after the inital first few days of tightening. as you've realised now, an also you're older, they'll recognise that you have the motivation to proceed with the treatment, so they should be okay with treating you.

Reply 10

junkiejunkie

basically ur fooshed!!!!

Reply 11

Anonymous #1

OP

junkiejunkie

basically ur fooshed!!!!

fooshed?

Reply 12

Anonymous #1

OP

Well, I got them fitted a few days ago, fixed ones unfortunatley : (. It'll be all over this time next year. Thanks for the encouragement and advice everyone.

Reply 13

red_Rose

1

Its not that bad, i promise. Just remember to wear your retainers this time. I'll be brace free in 5 weeks :biggrin:

Reply 14

louisedotcom

13

Same thing happened to me, when I was younger I went to an orthadontist who in my opinion was a bit of a tosser.
Id already been told what treatment I needed by several other professionals and yet this man seemed to be inventing things I didnt really need or which were not necessarary and would increase my treatment time by over a year.

As such I stopped turning up to appointments etc.

A couple of years later I spoke to my dentist about it and he refered me to the NHS orthadontic department at my local hospital. I went on the waiting list and about 2 years later I began treatment.
A year and a half after braces came off- a year later teeth have moved back haha

Reply 15

Anonymous #1

OP

red_Rose

Its not that bad, i promise. Just remember to wear your retainers this time. I'll be brace free in 5 weeks :biggrin:

Okay, thanks for your help and I hope your teeth look as beautiful as you deserve!

louisedotcom

Same thing happened to me, when I was younger I went to an orthadontist who in my opinion was a bit of a tosser.
Id already been told what treatment I needed by several other professionals and yet this man seemed to be inventing things I didnt really need or which were not necessarary and would increase my treatment time by over a year.

As such I stopped turning up to appointments etc.

A couple of years later I spoke to my dentist about it and he refered me to the NHS orthadontic department at my local hospital. I went on the waiting list and about 2 years later I began treatment.
A year and a half after braces came off- a year later teeth have moved back haha

Oh dear, so there's a danger the teeth will revert after treatment?

Reply 16

insomniac89

Anonymous

Oh dear, so there's a danger the teeth will revert after treatment?

Yes there is, if you don't wear the retainer you are given at the end of treatment.
Your teeth will try and move back to their original positions that they were used to before, but wearing the retainer allows the roots to settle in their new places so as time goes by the amount of retainer wear diminishes. At least I think it's to do with the roots.
Braces aren't that bad. I'm coming towards the end of my treatment and I'm so glad I went through with it. I also got referred by my dentist so I don't pay anything.

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