I'm 33 years old and have overcrowding both upper and lower. I originally went to an orthodontist when I was 26 to see if they could do something and was told that I have too narrow of a mouth and that they could not use an expander and that I would need the surgery to widen my palate. I did not want to go through with that and still do not. Back then I went to two more ortho's for consults and one also said the surgery and the other said he could just straighten my teeth, but would have to wear a retainer every night rest of my life.
After all of that, I gave up. Well, now I'm faced with losing some of my front teeth if I don't straighten my teeth out due to decay from overcrowding. In the past two weeks I went to 3 orthodontists, which all had different opinions so now I'm thouroughly confused:
#1 Ortho - said exactly what I wanted to hear that he could use an expander and then do braces giving me a wider beautiful smile. He said he has done this with older patients than myself (40's).
#2 Ortho - said he could straighten my teeth and just file some down to make room.
# 3 Ortho - said he couldn't give me a treatment plan until I had all the x-rays and study molds, but that's a lot of $ and what if I don't like what he has to say? and he said it would involve extractions.
BTW they all vary in price GREATLY even though my insurance has a copay of $1600, everything seems to be extra bringing me to over $4500, which is fine, I just want someone who could do the job.
My question and concern is WHY are they all completely different opinions? I feel like I'm shopping for a used car and they're trying to sell me BS.
Is this normal? What do I do? I am going for one more consultation Monday and scheduled to start treatment with Ortho #1 on Wednesday.
help!!! please!!!
33 and Totally confused and frustrated
Moderator: bbsadmin
Ortho 3 sounds like what my first consult said to me. Was very vague then said he'd need molds and stuff for more info. So I got the molds done, and got another consult. Ended up having the molds from the first consult sent over to the second ortho I had a consult with and that is who I'm going with. Remember, if you pay for stuff like molds and x-rays, they are yours by law and you can have them used for other orthos. I don't know why any ortho would want to take his own stuff if the other is usable, the money for them isn't in that, its in braces.
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missing_tooth
- Posts: 741
- Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:41 pm
- Location: Washington
I understand exactly how you feel. The first othro I went to seemed to attempt to appear very high tech, and it felt more like a sales pitch. I remember being shown the braces I would get vs. the a picture of braces from the 1950's.
A friend refered me to his former ortho and I couldn't be happier. Upfront and honest, and the level of customer service is excellent.
What I'm getting at, if it doesn't feel right, don't do it. Find someone your comfortable with, and have complete confidence in.
- Missing Tooth -
ps. the two orthos I went to both gave free consultations and xrays.
A friend refered me to his former ortho and I couldn't be happier. Upfront and honest, and the level of customer service is excellent.
What I'm getting at, if it doesn't feel right, don't do it. Find someone your comfortable with, and have complete confidence in.
- Missing Tooth -
ps. the two orthos I went to both gave free consultations and xrays.
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Dark_angel
- Posts: 406
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2006 1:49 pm
- Location: Newcastle, UK
Well if your unsure go for another consult. But do you want your arch to be widened or do you just want your teeth straightned out?
If #1 said he could do it and you liked him and his office im sure you could ask him to show you some before/after moulds or photos from previous cases. That way you'd know he could do it.
#2 Just filing down has its pros and cons like everything else especially where the structure of the teeth is concerened. If this was me i dont think id like this option.
#3 My ortho gave me a brief idea about what would be neccecary and then took moulds although she already had xrays but she got another set of those done anyway. Like someone else said once they've been taken you can take them to other consults etc but most orthos would have given you some idea of treatment.
If #1 said he could do it and you liked him and his office im sure you could ask him to show you some before/after moulds or photos from previous cases. That way you'd know he could do it.
#2 Just filing down has its pros and cons like everything else especially where the structure of the teeth is concerened. If this was me i dont think id like this option.
#3 My ortho gave me a brief idea about what would be neccecary and then took moulds although she already had xrays but she got another set of those done anyway. Like someone else said once they've been taken you can take them to other consults etc but most orthos would have given you some idea of treatment.
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ingyandbert
- Posts: 440
- Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2006 6:20 pm
- Location: Georgia
You need to talk with someone who uses the Damon system. I was told initially that I'd need extractions because of my small mouth, narrow arches, and crowding. I'm currently in Damons and I've had NO extractions, No expander, NO surgery. After only 4 months, my arches are dramatically wider and my teeth are almost straight. You can google "Damon braces" and their website will let you search for an ortho in your area who uses the Damon system. It's not a guarantee that you won't need extractions, an expander or surgery, but Damons are known to widen arches without those measures in many cases. I would definitely check into that option before making a decision.
Thanks
Unfortunately I don't know any adults who have had braces in my area to refer me to a good ortho. All of the consultations are free, but the xrays and molds at ortho #1 are $448 and of course you sign a contract first.I understand exactly how you feel. The first othro I went to seemed to attempt to appear very high tech, and it felt more like a sales pitch. I remember being shown the braces I would get vs. the a picture of braces from the 1950's.
A friend refered me to his former ortho and I couldn't be happier. Upfront and honest, and the level of customer service is excellent.
What I'm getting at, if it doesn't feel right, don't do it. Find someone your comfortable with, and have complete confidence in.
- Missing Tooth -
ps. the two orthos I went to both gave free consultations and xrays.
Does anyone know if I get xrays and molds done somewhere else cheaper (one ortho had $159) how do I avoid signing up for a contract prior to that?
I'm not specifically looking to widen my smile, just straighten out my teeth so I don't lose the two crooked front ones. But if they can widen it in the process without effecting my bite, that would be perfect.
Ortho #1 did show me before and after pics of some clients in their 40's who had worse crowding than mine and the expander worked. So that's why I'm leaning towards him even though he's the most expensive.
Do you know if any of them will let you have a free second consultation to ask all the questions I didn't know about before?
Hi jbjalways,
(sorry in advance to those of you who have read my story a million times before!
)
My situation was quite similar to yours. Due to some severe crowding on my lowers, I was given the prospect of losing two teeth if I didn't get braces. I went to two orthos: The first one told me he would have to pull 4 molars, and the second one told me that he would use expanders and a system called 'Controlled Arch' to widen my arches without extractions or surgery (I am 26 years old). He showed me pictures of patients who were done in his office, and the results looked promising, so I went for it.
I have now had braces for almost 14 months, and I am about to get them off in a month or so. I am very happy with my results. Here are some pics:
BITE BEFORE:
BITE AFTER 12 MONTHS:
TOP BEFORE:
TOP AFTER 12 MONTHS:
BOTTOM BEFORE:
BOTTOM AFTER 12 MONTHS:
I would recommend trying to get at least one more consult before you decide. If you absolutely can't afford it, just go with the option/ortho that makes you the most comfortable.
Good luck!
(sorry in advance to those of you who have read my story a million times before!
)My situation was quite similar to yours. Due to some severe crowding on my lowers, I was given the prospect of losing two teeth if I didn't get braces. I went to two orthos: The first one told me he would have to pull 4 molars, and the second one told me that he would use expanders and a system called 'Controlled Arch' to widen my arches without extractions or surgery (I am 26 years old). He showed me pictures of patients who were done in his office, and the results looked promising, so I went for it.
I have now had braces for almost 14 months, and I am about to get them off in a month or so. I am very happy with my results. Here are some pics:
BITE BEFORE:
BITE AFTER 12 MONTHS:
TOP BEFORE:
TOP AFTER 12 MONTHS:
BOTTOM BEFORE:
BOTTOM AFTER 12 MONTHS:
I would recommend trying to get at least one more consult before you decide. If you absolutely can't afford it, just go with the option/ortho that makes you the most comfortable.
Good luck!
Braces are Now Off!
Metal Braces Top and Bottom
Expanders Top and Bottom
April 11th 2005-June 27th 2006
Metal Braces Top and Bottom
Expanders Top and Bottom
April 11th 2005-June 27th 2006
JBJ,
I had a very similar experience to you when shopping for orthodontic services. I had serious overcrowding issues, like you, and went to two different orthos and got two very different opinions.
Ortho #1 refused to even touch my mouth unless I got the surgery (as well as 4 extractions.)
Ortho #2 swore he could get the job done with a removable palattal expansion device and braces alone with no extractions.
Naturally, I went with ortho #2 and you can see what he has done with my mouth in the link in my sig.
I had a very similar experience to you when shopping for orthodontic services. I had serious overcrowding issues, like you, and went to two different orthos and got two very different opinions.
Ortho #1 refused to even touch my mouth unless I got the surgery (as well as 4 extractions.)
Ortho #2 swore he could get the job done with a removable palattal expansion device and braces alone with no extractions.
Naturally, I went with ortho #2 and you can see what he has done with my mouth in the link in my sig.
Braces on: February 22, 2005
Braces off: December 28, 2006
Braces off: December 28, 2006
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ingyandbert
- Posts: 440
- Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2006 6:20 pm
- Location: Georgia
Re: Thanks
Like I said above, google "Damon braces" and their website will link you to an ortho in your area who uses Damon. It's possible Damons could widen your arches and straighten your teeth without an expander or extractions. I would check out that option before deciding on anything.I'm not specifically looking to widen my smile, just straighten out my teeth so I don't lose the two crooked front ones. But if they can widen it in the process without effecting my bite, that would be perfect.
The problem with Damon braces are that none of the Orthos that take HMO's do Damons.
And the Ortho who does do Damon near me is the EVIL woman who told me 8 years ago that without the surgery "you will look like a rat if I just straighten your teeth." That is just wrong and so I won't ever go back to her. I was only 26 then and it discouraged me to get braces so now I'm 33 and looking again.
And the Ortho who does do Damon near me is the EVIL woman who told me 8 years ago that without the surgery "you will look like a rat if I just straighten your teeth." That is just wrong and so I won't ever go back to her. I was only 26 then and it discouraged me to get braces so now I'm 33 and looking again.
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DrJeffOrtho
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2006 9:31 am
There are many things to be taken into consideration before deciding on surgery, extractions, non surgical expansion as an adult, etc. All 3 tx plans, depending on your facial and skeletal type, tootth size, amount of crowding, smile line and profile could be doable.
One of my pet peeves, especially in those situations where the patient has had various opinions, is the shoot from the hip treatment plan, give the pt a fee and sign the contract before doing a careful study of the diagnostic information available. Yes, it may cost some money, but it's money well spent in terms of trying to find the correct treatment plan to meet your goals, as well as those of the doctor.
No orthodontist learned in their residency to make decisions about tx planning without having the full set of diagnostic xrays (not just a panoramic), casts of the teeth, and photographs. That became "vogue" as competetion for the patient's time increased and sales techniques, rather than using scientific information, were used to close the deal. We may have a good idea about what we want to do at the initial exam, but I wouldn't recommend to my students giving the diagnosis and tx plan without having the information available and the time to study it ahead of time, ESPECIALLY in a difficult case that may have 2 or more good options for resolution. Nor would i want anyone in my family to have it done that way either.
So before you try to compare apples to oranges, make sure they all are starting from the same informational point, and are giving tx and fee information using the same body of basic knowledge about you. You only have one chance to get it right the first time!
One of my pet peeves, especially in those situations where the patient has had various opinions, is the shoot from the hip treatment plan, give the pt a fee and sign the contract before doing a careful study of the diagnostic information available. Yes, it may cost some money, but it's money well spent in terms of trying to find the correct treatment plan to meet your goals, as well as those of the doctor.
No orthodontist learned in their residency to make decisions about tx planning without having the full set of diagnostic xrays (not just a panoramic), casts of the teeth, and photographs. That became "vogue" as competetion for the patient's time increased and sales techniques, rather than using scientific information, were used to close the deal. We may have a good idea about what we want to do at the initial exam, but I wouldn't recommend to my students giving the diagnosis and tx plan without having the information available and the time to study it ahead of time, ESPECIALLY in a difficult case that may have 2 or more good options for resolution. Nor would i want anyone in my family to have it done that way either.
So before you try to compare apples to oranges, make sure they all are starting from the same informational point, and are giving tx and fee information using the same body of basic knowledge about you. You only have one chance to get it right the first time!
Jbjalways, your Damon ortho reminds me of the ortho I saw when I was 18 (longer ago than I care to remember). Back then he said that there was nothing he could do for me and that I would probably lose all my teeth by the time I reached 40.
Things change, I haven't seen 40 for a while and can still count the same number of teeth in my head (thanks to 20 years with a fantastic dentist and a rigorous oral hygiene regimen). So much for that ortho's opinion, the rotten sod.
It's one thing to get professional advice; it's another matter processing and making sense of it, and then deciding what to do.
I was offered two treatment options: one with braces alone and one involving surgery. I did not want surgery, so I chose the orthodontic only route which will take longer (and will involve protracted use of elastics) but will achieve virtually the same outcome that surgery would have done. It was good making that decision at day one.
Whatever you do, make sure you feel comfortable with your choices.
Things change, I haven't seen 40 for a while and can still count the same number of teeth in my head (thanks to 20 years with a fantastic dentist and a rigorous oral hygiene regimen). So much for that ortho's opinion, the rotten sod.
It's one thing to get professional advice; it's another matter processing and making sense of it, and then deciding what to do.
I was offered two treatment options: one with braces alone and one involving surgery. I did not want surgery, so I chose the orthodontic only route which will take longer (and will involve protracted use of elastics) but will achieve virtually the same outcome that surgery would have done. It was good making that decision at day one.
Whatever you do, make sure you feel comfortable with your choices.
I agree, but if I get the xrays done and molds done, how do I get them away from the Ortho who took them in case I don't like his treatment plan?There are many things to be taken into consideration before deciding on surgery, extractions, non surgical expansion as an adult, etc. All 3 tx plans, depending on your facial and skeletal type, tootth size, amount of crowding, smile line and profile could be doable.
One of my pet peeves, especially in those situations where the patient has had various opinions, is the shoot from the hip treatment plan, give the pt a fee and sign the contract before doing a careful study of the diagnostic information available. Yes, it may cost some money, but it's money well spent in terms of trying to find the correct treatment plan to meet your goals, as well as those of the doctor.
No orthodontist learned in their residency to make decisions about tx planning without having the full set of diagnostic xrays (not just a panoramic), casts of the teeth, and photographs. That became "vogue" as competetion for the patient's time increased and sales techniques, rather than using scientific information, were used to close the deal. We may have a good idea about what we want to do at the initial exam, but I wouldn't recommend to my students giving the diagnosis and tx plan without having the information available and the time to study it ahead of time, ESPECIALLY in a difficult case that may have 2 or more good options for resolution. Nor would i want anyone in my family to have it done that way either.
So before you try to compare apples to oranges, make sure they all are starting from the same informational point, and are giving tx and fee information using the same body of basic knowledge about you. You only have one chance to get it right the first time!
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DrJeffOrtho
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2006 9:31 am
>>I agree, but if I get the xrays done and molds done, how do I get them away from the Ortho who took them in case I don't like his treatment plan?<<
You should, after paying for them, be able to pick them up or you can ask the first office to send them to the second. Or, if you are more comfortable letting the second office call to have the records forwarded, I'm sure they will be pleased to do so.
You should, after paying for them, be able to pick them up or you can ask the first office to send them to the second. Or, if you are more comfortable letting the second office call to have the records forwarded, I'm sure they will be pleased to do so.