Is it wrong to ask your orthodontist?

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#1 Post by **sherilynn23** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 8:05 pm

Is it wrong to ask your orthodontist when you will get your braces off?

The past few visits he has been saying "Wow..almost there" or "Wow we are so close". (not sure if he says that to humor me but from what I see we are almost done). He told me that total treatment would be 24 months of treatment including spacers, braces and retainters.

I didnt know if it would be rude to ask when he suspects they will be off. I dont want to rush him or seem like I dont trust him (because i absolutely do!). I just want a round about time to look foward to. I wouldnt hold him to it but at least in my mind it would help these last few months go by faster. Every visit I say I am going to ask but then chicken out...I have one on thursday and I am trying to build my courage to ask.

#2 Post by **-Michael-** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 9:38 pm

your paying big money for those braces and the ortho's services. why would it be rude to ask questions?

ask, ask, ask! i never understand why people on this forum and people iwth braces in general think it's rude to ask questions?

to me, i equate this to not asking a doctor when a cast can come off. sure, they probably can't give you an exact answer, but an estimate is all your looking ifor.

don't mean to come off rude, sorry. just don't understand why people on here are so meek when it comes to asking their ortho questions. DO IT PEOPLE>

#3 Post by **PuppySmiles** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 11:27 pm

Orthodontists seem to be set up to easily service the needs of people who want their teeth straightened and don't need information.

Those of us who want to know what's going on just have to be a little bit more assertive. And we have the right to it - we're paying thousands of dollars for their knowledge, training and expertise! They can afford to take a minute and give us a few answers.

#4 Post by **NYG2007** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 5:41 pm

It is amazing how there were more openings for questions during the consultation. During treatment it feels rushed and you have to butt in to get your questions asked.

#5 Post by **NYG2007** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 8:55 pm

I wasn't saying questions can't be asked. I was stating that when they want your business they welcome questions. Now that they have your money it seems that questions are something that need to be squeezed in during treatment. There should be little bit of time set aside at the end or beginning of the visit/appointment . I will bring that up in my next visit if I can get a word in while I am there. I am sure this is not the case for all orthodontist. I just chose a very busy orthodontist who is regarded as one of the best in his state.

#6 Post by **braceface418** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 9:43 pm

My ortho seems to be pretty open to questions as well. Not only are you encouraged to email him with any specific questions about your treatment between visits, he actually answersthe email by the next day, often with several sentences.

We'll see if the welcome wears off eventually, though.

#7 Post by **Danielle** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 12:48 am

Nope, I don't think it's wrong at all! I've been asking on and off for a long time.

Everytime I see my Ortho she starts out with the usual "how are you, blah, blah, blah" greeting and then it's "do you have any questions"--okay, actually at first it was "how are you, blah, blah, blah, you have questions..." Because I always used to ask so many questions (I had some pre-braces/dental work consult visits that were just for all my questions--one time I went in there with four pages of questions!)

My main question is always something along the lines of when are they going to be removed? Normally, I get the "we're perfectionsists... there's still more work to be done" speech but this month I got a "we're putting finishing wires on tonight." Ask away!