things got weird on debracing day

[margarets]

I had my braces taken off this morning, which should have been a great moment, but my ortho dropped this weird little bomb on me about more work to be done.

The background is that I'm a relapse case (had braces as a teen), and had some movement with my top front teeth. This time around, I only had six brackets on my top front teeth (plus the back ones to attach the wire). I specifically remember the ortho saying at the initial consultation "I don't see any need to touch the bottom teeth".

Then today, in the middle of debracing my top teeth, she said some stuff about "now we can fix your bottom teeth". She never used the phrase "full braces" but that is definitely the impression I got. So did the tech, when I mentioned it to her. (There is a minor crossbite issue with one of my top teeth that partly has to do with the bottom tooth having rotated.) I was steaming mad because I didn't see why the full-braces-on-the-bottom issue couldn't have been mentioned at the initial consultation or ANY TIME during the last 10 months that I have been in treatment.

When I followed up with the ortho after all the debracing stuff was done, she backtracked and said she only meant trying to deal with the rotation with a retainer. She kept making comments to the effect that I had said I only wanted braces on the top (I didn't - I went into the consultation with an open mind). This isn't the only time she has told me what my concerns were and gotten it wrong.

As you can imagine, the last thing I want after 10 months in braces is to spend another X months in another set. Of course I wanted to get everything done at the same time and be done with it.

My gut feeling is she was trying to bait-and-switch/upsell me, and was testing the waters.

What do you all think?

[klobird]

I can't address what you have going on-I have uppers and lowers. But, I do know what you mean about things getting weird. I don't feel like my teeth are done yet but I'm getting them off in 7 weeks. I am going to the ortho tomorrow morning to discuss it. We'll see......

[margarets]

Just to clarify, what I find weird is that I got one story at the initial consultation, and quite a different one on debracing day, and my case was never complicated to begin with, so why the difference?

[oldfart]

Do you have any written treatment plan from the start of your treatment? Or can you ask for a copy of the initial notes?

I know I got a list of all the things wrong, and questions as to what I wanted fixed. This was before any payment was made.

of

[isthistaken]

I can understand why you would be steamed. Stuff like that happens to me all. the. time.

[jaybea20]

I would be upset that nothing was mentioned earlier-it is fishy to me that it only came up when you were about to be "finished" as a client.

How awful that it put a damper on your "YAY I got my braces off!!!" day.

[Angel269]

Mine were meant to be off today but due to some mixed messages etc he had to take an impression for the bonded retainer and prepare it for me before I could be debraced, which I wasn't aware of-as far as I was aware it would just be the impression for the Essix retainer once they were off.

I now have my big day for definite next Thursday, 14th-10 days.

[Ciara]

Didn't you receive a hard copy of your treatment plan at the start? I got one but was told that there may be changes (there already has been one - no bite plate). I'd be annoyed too if someone sprung that on me.

[margarets]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

There is nothing about bottom braces on the initial consultation. I'm just chalking it up to the ortho maybe not having the greatest communication skills (i.e. not hearing me).

Anyway, the issue with my bottom teeth is SO minor that I'm going to let it slide. It doesn't show with my natural smile or when I talk or anything. Literally no one but me and dental professionals will ever see it. There are no functional issues. So I'll save my pennies for future retainer replacements etc and be done with it.

[kennyandrew85]

Is it down to cost or being visible?

Perhaps invisalign might be suitable?

All i know is loads of people on here are in braces for the second time in their 50s and 60s so surely it's a good idea to get it perfect first time and keep it that way with retainers.

[margarets]

Is it down to cost or being visible?

Perhaps invisalign might be suitable?

All i know is loads of people on here are in braces for the second time in their 50s and 60s so surely it's a good idea to get it perfect first time and keep it that way with retainers.

Mainly the visibility. If I really, really wanted total perfection, I could get the money together. Maybe in a couple years I'll decide it's important and do it.

I've had my braces off since yesterday morning and still no one in my office has noticed! Hence my non-concern about small imperfections.

[Ciara]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

There is nothing about bottom braces on the initial consultation. I'm just chalking it up to the ortho maybe not having the greatest communication skills (i.e. not hearing me).

Anyway, the issue with my bottom teeth is SO minor that I'm going to let it slide. It doesn't show with my natural smile or when I talk or anything. Literally no one but me and dental professionals will ever see it. There are no functional issues. So I'll save my pennies for future retainer replacements etc and be done with it.

Sorry your ortho doesn't have the best communication skills but glad to hear that the problem isn't really noticeable. Oh, and congratulations on getting your braces off