Teeth straightening

[bekah]

Anybody know the most effective method of teeth straightening? I feel a bit too old to wear a brace, and know that whatever I do will be an expensive job, but dont know where to begin!! What costs and methods amI looking at? Ta

[rachela500]

I work for an orthodontist and we have lots of adults wearing braces. There is a lady in her 50's currently having treatment. You can get braces with tooth coloured brackets so they are not as visible as the metal 'train tracks'. We charge around �2000 for this treatment. There is also invisalign (www.invisalign.com) which are clear trays that you wear all day and night except for eating. These are virtually invisible and cost around �3000-4000 where I work.

Otherwise you could try veneers. These would just cover your current teeth to make them appear straighter.

[Sue Balou]

There are three methods that can be used for tooth straightening.

1. Braces - all metal that is commonly used on teenagers, or ceramic which are tooth coloured and therefore less noticeable or Damons which are part metal/part ceramic.

2. Invisalign - which are like clear gumshields but moulded specifically for your teeth. Invisalign is only suitable for certain people. Checkout www.invisalign.com

3. Lingual braces - which are attached to the inside surface of your teeth and are therefore not visible at all. This is very specialised and not all orthodontists offer this.

Cost for any one of these is around �3000, but costs vary by region. It is also possible to pay in interest free instalments over the course of your treatment.

I think that option 1 is considered to be the most effective method. In any case you need to be referred to an orthodontist by your regular dentist. The orthodontist will then do an initial consultation ie do x-rays, make impressions of your teeth, take photos. Then there is a follow up appointment to discuss treatment options.

For more information for adults in braces look at www.archwired.com Also www.bos.org.uk which is the site for the British Orthodontic Society.

How do I know all this - I've had damon 3 braces for the last 11 months and I'm 41 years old!

Sue

[bekah]

Thanks guys!

Im quite interested in the Invisalign treatment, do you know if there are any circumstances that will allow me to get help with the funding? Low income or full time student etc.. I am due to start a degree in September, so will hold off for a while if it means getting some government funding!! Also will be moving to Wales, where I know a lot of the treatments are free, does anybody know if this applies? Thanks

[teag1rl]

good luck finding a dentist in wales. things are supposed to be getting better tho. my ex didn't sign up to dentist when he moved to uni in aberystwyth. got problem with abcess and he could only see an emergeincy dentist and that was in Haverfordwest-lucky thing I had a car and it was only open beetween 10 and 11 on every third wednesday or something. Although I believe an new NHS dentist has started taking people on in Lampeter you probably needed to join the queue last wk! I may be exaggerating, but finding NHS treatment is hard

[rachela500]

Orthodontics is only available to under 18's on the NHS and then only in approved cases as it is usually just cosmetic reasons.

There is no funding available for any circumstances unfortunately, which is a shame as the kids who get their braces done under NHS generally don't even wear their retainers, then their teeth move back to how they were originally and the whole treatment has been a waste of time!

Message to anyone who has had brace treatment - WEAR YOUR RETAINERS!!

[Poglet]

My daughter had a fixed bottom brace in Feb 05, aged 15, she had 2 veneers fitted up top, the fixed brace was taken out in July 05 and a retainer fitted which she has to wear for a year or so but you cant see it. Her teeth are now gorgeous and she has since modelled and won a beauty pagent. If you have a daughter, please take the opportunity to have it done on NHS while you can.