Retention package scam?

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#1 Post by **MazingerZ** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:09 pm

My ortho is offering the following retention upgrade package, for $1,330:
1. 2 sets of clear retainers
2. 1 set of wire retainers
3. 3 years of follow-up visits
4. 50% discount on replacement retainers for 3 years
5. 50% discount on re-treatment fees for 3 years

I'm thinking of declining it since it sounds like a scam. If I don't get this package, I think I only get 1 year visit. Frankly I'm kind of surprised. I don't think I was briefed on this when I signed up for treatment.

Anyone got similar offer from their ortho?

#2 Post by **bbsadmin** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:25 pm

I've never heard of anything like that. Why would you need clear retainers AND wire retainers? Usually orthos just choose one or the other for their patients.

My ortho sees me from time to time to check my mouth, but he doesn't charge any sort of retention fee. If my retainer broke, I would need to pay for a new one, but that's only about $300 at the most for a wire retainer.

I'll be curious to hear if other people's orthodontists are charging extra for the retention stage. My ortho gave me one price....about $5,000 for my treatment -- and that included one set of retainers and follow-up visits basically forever. Even when the first set of retainers initially didn't fit right (the upper needed to be redone) he didn't charge me for another one!

#3 Post by **jennielee81** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:50 pm

I feel the same as Lynn and Meryaten.

My ortho includes retainer checks/retention appointments for free and for ever.

If I lose or break a retainer it's my cost, but only about $300.

I can see where a parent may buy into this if they know their kid will either lose or break retainer or not wear it and need retreatment.

I, too, don't understand the clear and wire retainer thing.

I'd say no if it were offered to me.

#4 Post by **strugglebuggy** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 3:41 pm

hmmmmm... sounds a little fishy to me, too. I have two sets of retainers, one hawley and one essix... the essix for daytime and the hawley for nighttime... and they were both free of charge! I also get retainer checks every 10 weeks or so for the first year and then sporadically after that. I wouldn't do it.

#5 Post by **thenumber12** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:33 pm

NO ONE needs that many retainers unless you're extremely careless.... to the extreme. That package sounds like a way to scrape in some extra dough imo

#6 Post by **thenumber12** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:38 pm

me and my sibling get free checkups for life but we both stopped going. it's not necessary after a while and I think that's how it works for a lot of people.

#7 Post by **MazingerZ** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:22 pm

Thanks for the replies, I now feel even better about my decision not to sign up. What's even more upsetting with this package is that it is "only available" at the start of my retention phase. The assistant told me to read and sign. After I said I'll think about it, I can feel the sudden icy attitude.

#8 Post by **smile2006** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 5:02 am

I did have a $350 retention fee (for 3 years of check-ups) but , in my opinion, the cost of treatment was comparable to other orthos in the area (if not a little cheaper) with the retainer fee factored in. As far as the retention package, it does seem odd to me. Although I am in the minority here, I have a composite bonded retainer across three upper teeth that were stubborn and no other retainers. My orthos use of retainers varies case by case and he charges for them case by case. His contention is is the teeth and bite are well set and the ortho doesn't rush to get braces off then the teeth should retain themselves. I'm still trying to get used to this idea as I love my aligned teeth and don't want anything to happen but so far things are looking fine.

#9 Post by **Over50** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 3:39 pm

I just signed the contract for Invisalign. The contract includes some possible refinement trays, and retention after treatment is completed. My ortho feels that the bonded retainers (wire across the back of the teeth) is best, but is open to other methods. The price also included a pair of retention trays (I guess similar to the Invisalign trays). Total price was around $5000. That includes follow-ups. Does not include damaged retainer due to pet chewing! (which I hear is common if you have a pet and leave the retainer out). Anyway, unless the original contract was really underpriced compared to most, the "retainer contract" seems excessive.