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Braces

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 10:00 am
by rach18
My DD is going to need braces very soon. Does anyone on here have experience of kids getting work once they have braces. I'm expecting castings to reduce. She needs the train track style so I'm debating whether to pay and have the clearer style but it's alot of money.

Re: Braces

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 10:30 am
by ACookie
My daughter has her appointment with orthodontist today. On both her agent and drama teachers recommendation we are opting for invisalign as they have said it would practically stop her for 18 months. Not cheap, but she has made great strides forward in the last 12 months and I'd hate to see her set back due to braces.

Re: Braces

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 10:36 am
by Proseccoplease
DS is about to have 2 teeth out and braces fitted-can't have Invisalign due to the severity of his need! We really can't commit to over £2000 for clear ones either. At the end of the day it won't effect his training so have just decided as he is 14 the next two years are going to be focused on training and he's at a rubbish age for auditions anyway and I honestly don't think it would affect auditions for things like YMT/NYMT and NYT but then he isn't going for TV auditions so I guess it depends what the child wants, you can afford and what's best long term for their teeth! DS literally told me not to waste my money on private braces as he would just like to get his skills up to speed for post 16 school auditions! Bless him, he knows what we spend already on him! And at 16 he will have a perfect smile. I hope! :D

Re: Braces

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 8:05 pm
by beanie-bean
My daughter had an invisible brace on her bottom teeth. It looked like a retainer and hardly noticed. She could also remove it whenever she wanted. However when she finished the treatment her teeth were straight but still different heights. The dentist offered to file them down but I really didn't like that option. He said that a traintrack style brace would have given a much better result and then offered to fit one at no extra charge. Looking back I wish we had just gone for that option to start with.

Re: Braces

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 9:32 pm
by ACookie
So appointment attended today... Train track style braces on tops and bottoms but on the backs of teeth so can't be seen.. Was the cheapest of the invisible options, but still very expensive :shock: apparently may be able to claim tax back as she definitely needs braces, and as she has a track record of professional work it can be claimed she needs invisible braces or it could hamper work potential.

Re: Braces

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 9:47 am
by admin
We faced this issue a few years ago, and took the view that long-term healthy and straight teeth were more important than any job. Ironically as teenagers' braces are so common now that they are sometimes requested in jobs. That being said they can affect speech for a few weeks as they adjust to the extra objects on their teeth. In the long run though it is my view that missing out on some work is still a price worth paying because if they need braces then not resolving the issue at the earliest opportunity can result in bigger issues down the line when the process takes longer anyway.

Re: Braces

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 4:25 pm
by Proseccoplease
Ah admin you have made me feel much better! Thank you! That is the view we have taken too. Like you say braces seems to be so common these days and at least you can choose the wire colour!

Re: Braces

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 7:00 pm
by Shellabc0
Hi
My daughter had train tracks last year. She is 12. She has been cast for theatre with the braces and pencilled for a few adverts(released though). so not sure it is affected as much as we think? Obviously period drama work is a no no, but who knows? Hope this helps x

Re: Braces

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 7:27 pm
by Borobird
Try not to let the braces become a worry. I was concerned when DS had to have them from when he was 15 until he was almost 17 but after a few weeks you get used to it. His speech was a little strange for a few weeks but it soon returned to normal as he got used to the braces. He sings as well as acts and once he got used to them, the braces did not cause any problems with this either. They do limit them in terms of castings. DS was put forward for a period drama which he was promptly withdrawn from once I reminded those concerned that he had his fixed braces. However, with regard to castings the age when they usually have braces is usually a quiet one in terms of castings anyway. Our DS focused on the fact that he was in this for the long term and he knew that eventually the braces would be off and he would have a lovely set of teeth. He has just turned 19, has a super straight set of teeth having had 4 second teeth taken out and fixed braces for two years and is about to start a three year BA Hons Acting course at a well known drama school. Remember, this is a long journey and there will be ups and downs but if they really want to go in to this business they need resilience and determination and have to learn to overcome any hurdles they may encounter along the way. Looking back now, the braces were a relatively short term inconvenience but a means to getting a great set of teeth and at the end of the day DS is still where he wanted to be at this point so please try not to let it worry you.

Re: Braces

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2018 9:37 pm
by amo185
I would echo Borobird’s reassuring comments about fixed braces, although our dd is 15 and moved from a removable brace to train tracks only in May. Because of the complexities of her treatment she also could not have invisalign (relief as we couldn't afford this) – but we were told that this is not as effective long term any way. I was worried that she wouldn’t be able to sing (especially as she has a roof arch too) and would be dropped from her MT Troupe but in fact she’s gone from strength to strength, learned to overcome the odd tricky sound very quickly and now sings and speaks as clearly as before. She sang a lead role at West End Live just a few weeks after the brace and arch were fitted. She has pale pink elastics and the brace seems to somehow blend in with the rest of her face! The one result however of knowing her train tracks and treatment will be ongoing for two/three more years, is that she’s decided definitely not to move away to train vocationally at 16. She would rather be free of her brace and orthodontist appointments when she starts a degree or diploma. She’s aiming now to audition for an Extended BTEC at an excellent local PA college – and having seen their superb shows, we know that braces seem almost to be “de rigeur” and no issue at all! Definitely need to think of the future and go with the advice given. Long term gain!

Re: Braces

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2018 11:25 am
by Darmont
This is just the thread I was looking for! Thanks all for the great advice and info.
DD who just turned 11 just had 1st orthodontic appointment and has been told she needs full fixed braces now, and for about a year. If we do it now she gets full funding due to her situation, but that could change if we leave it too long. (it's to do with her canine tooth being embedded in gum and not coming through, which could change).
I have emailed agent for advice as she is still just a tad under 5ft, so there may be the odd MT casting she could do (but not for long!).
Its a shame she's still so young as she is still getting auditions, and becoming more successful on the acting side now. Its so hard! We couldn't afford to wait and pay for braces, of have clear ones anyway. I just hope when she comes out of them at 12 and is over 5ft the auditions haven't all dried up for her! :( :(