Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi all,

this is what happened after this post of last week :

viewtopic.php?t=14405

Yesterday, I got a letter in which my new ortho explained my case as it is
now. I don't know if this code is known everywhere, but when I started 30
months ago, I had a IOTN (Index of Orthodontics Treatment Need) of 2. Not
too bad and quite easy to fix. Now, my case is much worse, as I have now
a IOTN of 4. The scale only goes to 5, which are the most severe cases. So,
it is not only obvious that my treatment did not work at all. It will also be very
difficult to correct things. I will need a thorough examination of my teeth and
jaws before I will know for sure what can be done. I also will have a MRI
scan of my jaw joints, as they seem to be damaged because I had so many
elastics for so long. They speak about joint resorption, like one can have
root resorption due to orthodontics. All I know is this, both orthos really
messed up things. I can only hope this (third) ortho will be able to help me
out.

I also had that difficult talk with ortho 2 yesterday, where I explained my
going away. He accepted it very well. So the talk was better than I feared
it could be. I guess he knows things are not going very well. He even said
he would contact me in the future to know how I am doing. I thanked him
for being so understanding. And then I left. Thinking that my braces are
now like orphans, having no ortho at this moment as I have to wait some
time to start treatment by ortho 3.

Clo, I am glad you now have some facts laid out for you. They aren't what you hoped for, but at least you know where you stand. Like Meryaten said, you would have thought both of the first two orthodontist's would have offered some kind of refund. But then, that would be admitting error and they would be liable for lawsuit...

My best to you, Attagirl

Clo, I am sorry to hear that so much damage has been done to your teeth by those two first orthos ! Fortunately, it seems you are on the right track now, even if it means waiting some before resuming any kind of new treatment.

The odd thing is that all along, your gut feeling about things not being done right was totally accurate ! It is really important to listen to one's inner voice.

I wish you all the best for the future. Keep us posted.

Clo:
I'm glad that you a your fired orho parted reasonably well. When dealing with professionals sometimes their egos refuse to admit that someone else may be able to do the job as well or better.

If you haven't had an MRI before be prepared for a closed in feeling. I always imagine I'm in a tube for some science fiction movie. Strange it does help me relax.

Like everyone has said please keep us up to date. I know I'm looking forward to see you debanded, great smile and a perfect bite.

Mike

Hi Clo,

I have no idea what the cost of ortho treatment is where you live, but if it is anything like we pay in Canada, you have probably spent a significant amount of money by now. Are you planning to ask for any of it back?

I would even think you could sue for damages, if you wanted to, but of course that means getting involved in a lawsuit and all the hassels and stress it comes with.

I too had an orthodontist mess up my teeth, as a kid. Things were not left in such a bad state as you seem to be in, but I pretty much had to start at square one as an adult, so I can only imagine how frustrating this must be for you.

Good luck and I hope things get 100% better from here on.

I've been following your story recently and well, it sounds like a nightmare. I wonder how you managed to get trough all this, and then there's still quite some way ahead, yet the outlook seems much better and promising...

Clo wrote:I also had that difficult talk with ortho 2 yesterday, where I explained my going away. He accepted it very well. So the talk was better than I feared it could be. I guess he knows things are not going very well. He even said he would contact me in the future to know how I am doing. I thanked him for being so understanding. And then I left. Thinking that my braces are now like orphans, having no ortho at this moment as I have to wait some time to start treatment by ortho 3.

I'm hardly surprised he took it well. If I were in his place and had botched your case like this, I'd be lucky to still be talking to you instead of to your lawyer.

As a matter of fact, have you thought about suing him or at least thought about talking about your case with an experienced lawyer? There seems to be sufficient proof that both orthos made lots of mistakes. I understand you're not in the U.S., so you won't get millions , but I think you might want to at least try to get back whatever you paid them the last 30 months. It's not like they've earned it, is it?

Best wishes,

mm

You are the most pacient man in the world Clo....

I know that i am being a little harsh, but did you ever consider to sue your first two orthos? I think they cannot stay unpunished with what they have done to you... and still may do to other patients...

All the luck in the world
Kisses
Susana

Hey Clo,

I can imagine how frustrated you must be. Hang in there. You never know how your teeth will settle once they've been given a break. It's not over yet, you just need some time to heal.

Please keep us up to date on what is happening with you. We're all here for you.

Kris

Not sure though about the settling, as I feel each day my open bite and overjet
get worse. I had a last appointment 2 days ago, at ortho 2. He too said things
are very wrong right now. Can't wait to start my new treatment. Ortho 2 once
more said he really understands my decision to go away. And that my new ortho,
ortho 3 that is, is one of the best in Belgium. Couldn't have choosen a better
place to go, he said. And I forced my way in there all by myself. He also said
he deeply respected my efforts to try to get things better and my knowledge
of orthodontics in general. Pfewww, it almost got emotional there.

I would like to add that I also deeply respect (and applaud) your efforts to control your health and destiny!