Newbie & hoping for some feedback pls

[Twalker]

Hello,

New to the forum, looking to go into round 2 of braces, my front right tooth was terribly twisted when I was younger due to overcrowding, I went through braces at 12 yo but now in my late 20s my tooth is twisting again, it looks like its reverting back to its 60 degree angle of my teenage years - i did wear my retainer for years then it didn't fit and my dentist at the time said my teeth looked perfect - fast forward 5 years and I grew up and moved 600 miles away, about 2 years ago I noticed my teeth were on the move but hoped it wouldn't progress - it obviously has... I dont need any extractions, my bottom teeth though very slightly crooked dont actually need a brace, if the cost to have the bottom is not much more I would consider but the top is the main issue. It seems like out of the 3 practices I have visited in the past week for a consultation I was lead to believe they were all with orthodontists - until I got to the consultation and learned they were not, but general dentists.

I have had a few consultations and got varying options & opinions so far, all the below include all treatment and a fixed and removable retainer.

First practice visited - Cosmetic / General Dentist - (Cant actually work out if he is a official orthodontist, website confusing?!) Though a Specialist in Invisalign
9 - 12 months treatment
Option 1:
Top only ceramic & metal brace - £1800 (front 4 brackets are ceramic rest are metal)
Option 2:
Invisalign top: £2,400
Top & bottom: £2,900

Second practice visited - General dentist / cosmetic dentist (not so sure about this one though they were recommended by friend, insisted I need bottom teeth done & very eager to sell fastbrace)
Option 1:
Fast Braces metal, upper & lower - £2800 (4 - 9 months treatment)
Option 2:
Invisalign - £3500 / £4000 (Didn't give time frame for the below as was very keen for me to go with fastbrace)
Option 3:
Lingual - £3,500

Third Practice visited: My General Dentist who I didn't realise also does braces... (?!) showed me pictures of similar teeth he has done, really lovely dentist but very young so worried about his expertise.
Option 1:
Ceramic top brace only: £1,200 (4-6 months treatment) - thought this was very quick considering the other time frames!

Fourth Opinion
Online consultation (through photos) with an actual Orthodontist (!!) - 12 months treatment
Metal fixed braces - £2800 (with ceramic £3150)
Invisalign - £3600.


So currently I am in quite the pickle... I know the importance of getting my teeth treated by a trained orthodontist, though my budget maxes out at about £2500 and anything less would be a dream, does anyone have any recommendations of an orthodontist in London UK at all? its a bit of a nightmare as the few I have called dont seem to offer free consultations and are quoting £85 to just chat to an orthodontist... I feel most comfortable with the first practice I visited and am planning on phoning to ask if he is a qualified ortho.

Any help / opinion on the above very much appreciated!

[oldfart]

Why are you visiting primarily dentists, and not orthodontic specialists? Is there any organization that can verify if someone is a specialist, or just a general dentist that practices orthodontics on the side?

[Twalker]

Hello,

As I mentioned I unfortunately thought they were orthodontists until I got to the consultations, I have just discovered the only way you can check yourself is by going to the UK General Dental Council website and searching the Dentist name, they have to have "MOrth" in their qualifications which means medical orthodontist qualification - www.gdc-uk.org. Also I am starting to realise that if someone is a fully trained Ortho they will say it in pretty big letters on their website... It has still been useful to get the different opinions and quotes however.

[Twalker]

forgot to add that pretty much all of the orthodontists I have come across in London UK charge an average of £85 for a consultation, I'm reluctant to part with that much cash when I may not feel comfortable with the orthodontist or practice which I wont know until I have paid it... I'm not expecting this for free by a long shot but am hoping to at least have a chat & meet the Ortho before committing the best part of £100.

[nickycddubluver]

hav eyou decided which route you were gonna go with? traditional invisilign or fastbrace? can you tell me why you came to that decision? My dentist just offered my fast brace and she seemed really optimistic but after reading stuff im kind of iffy..