Metal Mouth Message Board

I have decided to go ahead with braces/jaw surgery and should be getting the braces on in the summer, however I am very worried they will affect my self esteem which is already low enough.

I am aware ceramic braces are not provided by the NHS, but is there any/way to pay for the actual ceramic/plastic braces yourself whilst having the rest of the treatment carried out on the NHS? If so how much would it cost?

Hi, I have ceramic braces and am a NHS case - I had to pay £300 for the cost of the ceramic and everything else [extraction surgery, Trans Palatal Arch etc] is free.

Do ask though - I'm being treated by a London hospital and I had to be quite firm that I did want ceramics if they were available. The extra cash goes into funding the department.

[quote="bangbangprettypretty"]Hi, I have ceramic braces and am a NHS case - I had to pay £300 for the cost of the ceramic and everything else [extraction surgery, Trans Palatal Arch etc] is free.

Do ask though - I'm being treated by a London hospital and I had to be quite firm that I did want ceramics if they were available. The extra cash goes into funding the department.[/quote]
I really hope that is the case. I think it would make such a difference. Where about do you live? I'm in Scotland and after reading some posts, not sure if there are regulations on mix and match private and NHS contracts.

Also is there a difference between "ceramic" and "clear" braces or are they the same thing?

Hi, I'm in London. When it looked like I might not be able to have the ceramics, I emailed the professor in charge of the department asking if there was any way around it.

He told me different NHS areas have different rules about combining NHS and private care but that they would after all be able to do it. I totally understand your situation as it is very daunting to be starting treatment - I now have missing teeth, chains and gaps but the ceramics are at least not very noticeable. And yes, they're the same as clear brackets.