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Pensioner opts for braces to fix teeth she hated
22nd Feb 2011
In their seventies, most people are thinking about taking things more quietly.
Yet at the age of 76, Doreen Hurley made the life changing decision to fix the teeth she had hated all her life.
As a self-confessed coward (who couldn't even face having her ears pierced), Doreen was apprehensive about the discomfort braces might cause, yet was reassured by the advances in modern orthodontic technology and the technical knowledge of her orthodontic specialist to help her achieve an age old ambition.
Doreen's dentist had previously expressed concern over the stability and state of her teeth, which were not decaying but were very crooked and had wide gap between the two central upper teeth.
Doreen's gums were also receding, so she was initially referred to a periodontist to treat her gum disease.
Before
After
Once the condition of her gums had been stabilised, her mouth was considered to be in a fit state for orthodontic treatment which eventually led to her long-awaited 'brace day'.
Doreen confesses she was anxious about having 'a set of wires on her gnashers', however the excitement of moving ahead with her treatment prevailed over her fears.
The support of her family encouraged Doreen still further.
Three generations of women in the Hurley family went through orthodontic treatment at the same time, and their stories, laughter and shared inability to eat toffee bonded the women together.
Doreen was thrilled with the end result of her treatment, and stated 'yes yes yes, it was worth all the time, cost and trouble… my teeth looked fantastic'.
She feels eternally grateful to her orthodontic specialist Peter Huntley of Quality Orthodontics in the West Midlands, whom she describes as her 'knight in shining armour and blue latex gloves'.
Doreen's age defying story has won her a prize – a Philips Sonicare toothbrush worth £150 to ensure the future health of her gums and newly corrected teeth.
The British Orthodontic Society's Against the Odds Competition, which was devised to raise awareness of the impact of orthodontic treatment. The competition was judged by a panel of orthodontic specialists from the BOS along with a psychologist who assessed both the impact of the treatment on the entrants along with the aesthetic results of their treatments.
Straight talking
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the growth of the teeth, jaws and face. Nearly one million people in the UK started having orthodontics last year and more adults than ever are seeking treatment. Why? Orthodontic treatment is about making the best of your teeth; it's about improving the harmony of your mouth and jaws. Once you can bite together correctly, you can eat more comfortably and care for your teeth and gums more easily. Orthodontics is all about creating a naturally, healthy smile.
Braces are more than a way to create a stunning smile; they can improve dental health and function. They can be used to move teeth that are overcrowded or crooked, which are harder to brush and floss, since improper cleaning can lead to tooth decay and other dental problems.
Orthodontic treatment can also correct bite problems which could hinder eating and create a greater risk of gum disease, tooth and bone loss. Bite problems may occur when the upper and lower jaws don't come together properly. Uncorrected bite problems can cause teeth to wear down, make for difficult chewing, and put stress on the jawbone, producing pain.
The British Orthodontic Society is a charity set up to bring together all the dentists with special additional training in orthodontic treatment (which can be from 3 to 5 years after qualifying as a dentist). The charity offers on-going learning and support for the orthodontic profession and funds research into new treatments. The BOS is also there to help anyone interested in orthodontic treatment; whether they are considering, undergoing or have completed treatment – or caring for someone who is.
To find your nearest orthodontist, obtain impartial advice or to find more information visit www.bos.org.uk.
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