Retainer before braces

[Meg888]

My daughter has a retainer for months & months due to her refusal to wear it as often as she's supposed to. She is to be fitted with braces eventually, when she has an overgrowing tooth removed, but prior to this she has to wear the retainer. It has now broke (for the 2nd time), I know we're going to get it from the dentist when we go back, but is there not another alternative to this?

I've told her all the reasons why she has to wear it, and she does wear it in front of me, but she takes it out at school etc., as she struggles to speak properly with it (we've been assured this will correct in time) and she insists its uncomfortable & it hurts. Short of forcing her, what else can I do? I feel for her having to wear it, her teeth are not that bad (apart from the one growing over another) they don't stick out and nor are they seriously wonky - in my day kids were only fitted with braces if they had seriously buck teeth, now it seems they fit them on the slightest defect, which I think is just part of one's character?

[Brinjal]

Well once the braces are on she won't be able to take them off. How old is she? I don't know. Wonky teeth are hard to clean I wish my parents had mine straightened when I was young. I show a lot of teeth when I smile and I am still self conscious about my crooked teeth.

[coccinelle]

Quite honestly i don't see the reason why she should have to wear retainers if she's going to have braces fitted. All teeth will be straightened up with the braces and if they're not bad won't have to be fitted for too long. I had braces fitted in my 40s and then had a permanent retainer fitted to top and bottom front teeth. It's one of the best things I ever did. I too brinjal felt awkward to smile.

[Meg888]

She's nearly 15; her teeth aren't wonky, and nor are they big/buck. They're not movie star white/straight but other than the one that's overgrowing another they are fine.

I just can't fully understand the need for the retainer, if braces are to be fitted and I know the future plans are for the overgrowing tooth to be removed.

[Meg888]

Part 2!!

They say I've to pay £65 to replace the retainer!!! Can they force me to pay it, and do they have a right not to supply if I refuse?

The first retainer broke when my D dropped it by accident; the second one, a wire had come loose and it had a crack in - when she tried to move the wire (as it was digging in her gum) it just cracked in her hand.

[lcg]

yes...i had to pay for my son's when he accidentally sat on it. but...he also kept taking it out and putting it in his pocket/bag/wherever, so i wasn't surprised when it broke again. i did, however, make him pay for some of it out of his pocket money and i suggest you do the same with your daughter - explaining that until she wears it properly and doesn't break it, then she will also be responsible for paying for it. a bit of tough love...x

[rockyracoon]

I agree with icg, I was a holy mare when I had a retainer, broke it before I went for every appointment, the ortho refused to treat me in the end. My mum was seriously pee'd off with me I can tell you.