I got my braces off last week. The assistant took them off, the Dr took off the excess glue and bonded a wire retainer to the back of my lower front teeth. He looked at the assistant and said, "Looks straight to me! How 'bout you?" She agreed and then the Dr moved to the next patient.
I thought he would be going over the before and after stuff with me later so I didn't ask anything. I was sent in another room for x-rays, then another room for the impression for the retainer, then another room for photographs to be made. I asked when the Dr would be in to see me and I got the "what would he need to see you for?" look. I said I wanted him to go over the before and after stuff with me and she said she does that. Then I asked about caring for the bonded retainer and she told me how to do that too.
Then she told me the Dr's printer was out of ink so I needed to look at the before and after pics on the receptionist's computer screen. I asked for a copy and they said I could have it at the appt the following week when I picked up my retainer. Gave me a cup of candy and balloons for the children.
Called the morning of the retainer appt and said I wanted to speak to the Dr at my appt b/c I had some concerns (crossbite doesn't seem to be fixed and teeth seem to flare at the top left in the back). Receptionist said I could talk to him at appt...
Arrived for retainer pick-up and Dr not even there. Asked assistant about cross bite and she said that is normal and teeth don't become perfect from braces. Went to check-out and asked for copy of before/after pics and was told printer still down. Made appt for 9 weeks later. Instructed to wear Essix 24/7 for five weeks then nightly for the following 4 wks.
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I can't bite down in the Essix because I have found a molar in the upper left at the back that is tilted outward and causing this huge lump when I bite. If I force my mouth closed, then the whole Essix pulls hard on my front teeth and begins to slip down so I just keep my bite open.
* Was I expecting too much in paying $4K up front in cash for the doc to go over things with me at the end? What is typically discussed when braces are taken off?
* Can't call until Monday about retainer... can something can be done by the doc about the rotated / tilted molar now that the braces are off?
Customer service after braces removed? What is typical?
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DaisyMay66
- Posts: 177
- Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2004 2:16 pm
- Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
I was so excited when I went for my debanding in early April. However, you have to remember that for the office staff, it's just another ordinary day at work. Everybody was ho-hum about the whole process and kind of took the wind out of my sails. In my mind, I was expecting violins and clowns with balloons or something!! I felt a little disappointed and abandoned.
I'm sure everything will be sorted out.[/quote]
By all means, contact your ortho to discuss any concerns you may have.* Was I expecting too much in paying $4K up front in cash for the doc to go over things with me at the end? What is typically discussed when braces are taken off?
* Can't call until Monday about retainer... can something can be done by the doc about the rotated / tilted molar now that the braces are off?
I'm sure everything will be sorted out.[/quote]
I actually didn't get to sit down and go over the before/after stuff until my second retainer check, so maybe you still will have more of a sit down talk with your ortho at your next appointment.
Here is how my final things went. I was debraced and the assistants took off the braces and the ortho took off a pesky band and did the sanding off of the glue and polishing. I got my retainer the day I got the braces off and my ortho checked the fit and told me to come back in six weeks. At that appointment they did final record taking (molds, wax bite, x-rays, and pictures). I had to come back six weeks after that. At that appointment they had my before/after photos, x-rays, and molds to look at with the ortho. It was a short appointment, but it did give you a nice sense of closure and I was given permission to do retainer wear for 12 hours a day instead of 24/7. I have a few 6 month appoinments after this.
Here is how my final things went. I was debraced and the assistants took off the braces and the ortho took off a pesky band and did the sanding off of the glue and polishing. I got my retainer the day I got the braces off and my ortho checked the fit and told me to come back in six weeks. At that appointment they did final record taking (molds, wax bite, x-rays, and pictures). I had to come back six weeks after that. At that appointment they had my before/after photos, x-rays, and molds to look at with the ortho. It was a short appointment, but it did give you a nice sense of closure and I was given permission to do retainer wear for 12 hours a day instead of 24/7. I have a few 6 month appoinments after this.