Braces and travel?!

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HenvY
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:13 pm

Braces and travel?!

#1 Post by HenvY »

Hey everyone.

I got my braces fitted on Jan. 22nd but my first adjustment is only scheduled for the 18th April after I was unable to see the ortho in feb. Currently i'm 18, in my last year of sixth form here in the UK, having a gap year next year before I start uni in september 09. However, the thing is - I want to go travelling next year, for 6-8 months...i'll be overland between London and Sydney and won't be staying in anyplace too long so I won't have any access to an orthodontist! Is this possible with braces, can they stay this long without adjustment/treatment? Is it safe to do? I'm in a bit of a quandry because if this is really unadvisable to do with braces, I won't be able to go travelling...for at least 3/4 years, but in reality i'll probably never get another chance this good. :(

Any help?

Henry
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Marguerite
Posts: 104
Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2004 4:30 pm
Location: USA

#2 Post by Marguerite »

I would just go for it. You can't put your life on hold because of your braces. Explain to your current orthodontist what your plans are, and he or she can do the best to make sure you have some sort of stable setup going on in your mouth. Maybe they can give you one of those tools to change your own ligatures with? Because the ligatures do tend to wear out. Otherwise (I have never tried this, but I've thought about it) if you are in a strange city and something weird happens with your braces, just look in the phone book and find an orthodontist to help you out. I'm sure they would not turn you away, especially if I offered them like $20 (or whatever your currency is... :) ) to quickly fix the problem. And, if worst comes to worst, if you have some sort of dental apocalypse where you need full ortho treatment by your original orthodontist... just fly home. You can't eliminate the risk of something going wrong. It's like saying: "Oh, I can't go, because my appendix might rupture, and my family doctor won't be there to treat me..."
Sorry to ramble on about this, but I feel very strongly that braces should not get in the way of opportunity! Especially around your age, 18, that is when you have all these chances that (TRUST ME) you will not get again. TAKE THEM! Your treatment might be extended, but it's worth it.
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loulou123
Posts: 716
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:33 am
Location: United Kingdom

#3 Post by loulou123 »

Id definately speak to your orthodontist about this. Are you having the braces on the nhs or privately as i can imagine that a private orthodontist will be much more accomodating to your problem. (nothing against the nhs, the nhs ortho treatment ive received has been wonderful, but they have to consider league tables etc)

If i was you, and this was my only realsitic opportunity id go for it. Perhaps you can add orthodontic cover to travel insurance, have no idea if you can but worth looking into, then at least you could get emergancy treatment abroad.
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Braces on 11th June 2006,~ BSSO and Wisdom tooth removal 11th February 2008,~ Plate Removal 14th May 2008,~ Braces off 28th August 2008.

http://adultwithbraces.blogspot.com/
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Twinjoy
Posts: 167
Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2008 7:51 pm
Location: Fussa City, Japan

#4 Post by Twinjoy »

As a military member I know about traveling with braces...not on myself but others. One coworker had to deploy for six months twice during his treatment, add being in his early 30's and his treatment time was extended to 5 yrs. Each time he deployed the dentist set his braces where they wouldn't move much. Anyway, it is possible but it will def extend your treatment time.
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purpleteeth
Posts: 448
Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 4:45 pm
Location: Texas
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#5 Post by purpleteeth »

Maybe you can ask about getting them taken off for the period while you are traveling and then just have them put back on when you come back?
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HenvY
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:13 pm

#6 Post by HenvY »

Thanks for the advice guys! I'll ask my ortho to do that and just go travelling with 'em on. :D
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