Metal Mouth Message Board

Hello!

I've finally knuckled down and have decided to take steps to getting a brace fitted.

A little history. I'm 20 years old and haven't been to a dentist for probably 10 years? Around the age of 10 I started to develop a phobia for needles, this has created endless problems with my teeth being the major one. I've finally decided enough is enough and it's time to get them sorted. The first problem I have is that I have no idea where to start!

I'm in the UK and was originally registered with a dentist, but obviously not visiting for 10 years has some effect on your registration! There are lots of orthodontists locally - in contrast to the US based guide (Braces 101), most charge for an initial consultation - a fee of around £60-100($90-150), but I don't know whether to start by visiting an orthodontist or a standard dentist. I'm looking towards Lingual braces at the moment, no idea if they're suitable or I'm able to have them, but they're calling to me at the moment! Lingual braces are not available on our National Health Service so I'm unsure of whether to try and get an NHS referral? I know that normally adult orthodontics is not paid for by the British NHS, but, from checking a few sites i might be eligible... but again, no idea where to start - do i check with my local nhs trust, a dentist, ask an orthodontist when getting an initial consultation?

Advice greatly needed

...and hello!!!

Thanks in advance for your time.

Hi Hevak

I am also from the UK and have just started my braces journey on the NHS. You are right there is no option other than the standard metal brackets with NHS. Its also a lengthy waiting list which differs from area to area. I waited over a year just to be seen by an orhtodontist and then had to wait 12 weeks between consulations (which included xrays, photos messurements etc) and follow ups where i was told I was eligible for NHS treatment but it was again another 12 weeks before the braces were applied - yawn

U will be glad to hear the process itself is not painful, no needle required, but your teeth are achey afterwards but I guess you already know that.

It may be worth while seeing a dentsit first and they can maybe recommend an ortho as you will need any outstanding dental work carried out before you can get braces as your teeth need to be in good health.

Good luck xx

I don't really know what the right way would be but I was referred to the orthodontist by my dentist and am now getting adult treatment on the NHS. I think each trust might have different criteria but i know that the one where I am being treated generally only treat those who are classed a grade 5 or above on the IOTN due to a shortage of orthodontists. Your normal dentist might be the best person to talk to first if you want to find out about the possibility of getting NHS treatment to avoid the cost of going private but the waiting lists tend to be long (i'd waited over 2 years since my initial consultation). Maybe see what the NHS dentist says and then you can always go for an initial consultation privately to find out about the costs and whether the lingual braces would be an option etc...? I had the standard metal ones fitted just over a week ago and they are fine.

Irrespective of what country you are in, see a general dentist first.

No orthodontist would dream of attaching a single thing to your teeth until you have a clean bill of general dental health. That means any problems with your gums or with cavities have been evaluated, addressed and are under control. You almost certainly have tartar accumulation, if nothing else. (Which, luckily, can usually be removed with nothing more than a dental scaler unless you have periodontal disease.)

Some tranquilizers and Nitrous Oxide may help if you need any fillings (and the needles that implies.) You aren't the first patient with a needle phobia; surely some dentist over there knows how to help you. (And for goodness sakes, close your eyes! The "Mad Scientist" syringe they all use looks scary to anyone.)

Also in the UK, so can give you advice but depending where you live might not be as useful

First thing to do is register with a dentist - as Sirwired said any ortho will NOT see you until you've been checked and given the all clear. I wasn't registered, which in turn did make my wait a bit longer as I had to sort that out first.

By any chance are you from London? Or near London? There's a very very good hospital called Guy's, and it has a ortho student facility there. Don't let the 'student' part put you off because they're incredibly good, and because they're constantly monitored by supervisors and senior orthos, I feel they have the need to be perfect, and my ortho is really good bless her! NHS is standard metal brackets though as mentioned before, but to be fair they're not that noticeable.
You could get referred to them, (I'm guessing if you live nowhere near there are other facilities like this just have to do the research) but would have to be a reason. For instance bite that you feel is a problem, over/under bites etc. If the problem has some sort of severity to begin with you can get referred no problem. I think I was a grade 4/5 which is why they agreed to do treatment.
Once you do get that appointment then bring up braces and why you would need them and what they can do to help. Everyone going through it can't stress enough but ask as many questions as you can! It will ease your mind about it.
Plus there's nothing to it, I think the hardest part of braces is the waiting BEFORE you get them on...The actual process and you having them on isn't a big deal. Things to remember about hygiene, what you can and cant eat etc, all that stuff becomes second nature in a couple weeks.

Hope that's helpful

I'm just backing up "Sirwired." Great advice there. Get your dental issues under control first. If an orthodontist says he'll start braces without getting your dental issues in line first, this is a HUGE red flag (red card since you're in England?) I don't know how it is over there, but needle issues have been pretty well addressed. I have them as well, and either go the nitros route or my dentist will use a numbing spray prior to the needle and I barely even feel it. By the way, huge study here just proved that heart health is directly linked to oral health, so that is something else to think about. Good luck.

Yeah some good advice here imo. I was in the same situation at 24- hadnt been to the dentist in the best part of a decade.
Just didnt like dentists period (having crooked teeth didnt help) & only went because I had severe toothache for a long time. Dentist gave me a couple of filings and removed the rotten teeth (which didnt work out too bad as I would have had to have at least one out for braces anyways). He recommended an orthodintist and I'm 18months in now and nearly done.
First week is awkward but since then has been a piece of cake to be honest

Good luck

Definitely get everything sorted out before you start ortho treatment. It makes it much more difficult to deal with these issues once you've started. Great advice on here.