Heads ortho A, tails ortho B...

Message

#1 Post by **asabea** » Sat May 16, 2009 11:48 am

So today was supposed to be decision day until orto A rang up to postpone my appointment as the lab work was not ready. I did however have an initial consultation with ortho B. In essence, I have to decide between the two for my treatment

Ortho A
One man band operating out of a private dental practice
STB brackets Â£6,500 for two arches, 40% paid up front, balance interest free over 12 months
Treatment time, 18-24 months, then fixed retainer
Kid free practice, clean, professional, great receptionists, easy to get Saturday appointments
Doctor has a shorter track record, but is really into lingual braces

Ortho B
Specialist orthodontic practice, one of a chain of 5 in London
STB brackets Â£5,200 for two arches, 33.3% paid up front, balance interest free over 12 months
Incognito brackets Â£6,500 for two arches, 33.3% paid up front, balance interest free over 12 months
Bigger practice, treats kids as well, hard to get appointments as I can only do Saturdays and ortho only works 1 Saturday in 6
Doctor appears professional, has been practicing orthodontics for ages, honest
Treatment time at least two years, then fixed retainer

I donâ€™t know anyone personally treated at either clinic, as I only found out about them via this site. I am further along with A as I have already had photos, x-rays and moulds and was pretty sure I would go with them until today. So do I go with the bigger chain with the longer track record, or the lingual crazy doctor? I can see me getting on well with both as they were both really easy to talk to and didnâ€™t get annoyed with my numerous questions (most of which I picked up from this site!) I am therefore finding this decision really hard.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

#2 Post by **alinghi** » Mon May 18, 2009 12:07 pm

I'm with Barbican Orthodontic practice.

They specialise only on what they know, orthodontics.

I believe they have some additional branches in London so really easy to get minor problems fixed. For example, trimming of archwire and fixing missing elastics caused by eating or any other issues encountered.

Although my visits are once a month on every Saturday, I've had no problems with my upper linguals (incognito) or the ceramics on the bottom. Any issues, I can seek help during weekdays or at weekends from another orthodontic staff at the practice.

I don't mind the children that are also being treated on Saturday, seems like me and the other adults, as well as the children; we are all in the same boat and we all are well behaved ourselves at the practice.

My treatment was affordable at Â£4.2k back in 2007 prices.

Hope this info helps...

#3 Post by **asabea** » Sun May 31, 2009 10:32 am

Well Ortho A has made the decision for me! I visited his practice yesterday to view my moulds and he completely lost it when I asked if he price matched, I wasnâ€™t expecting him to but his reaction has put me right off. He even asked me to pay 15% now so that he could start the lab work, at which point I reminded him that I had not decided where I will be getting my treatment and that his contract stated the deposit is only paid when the braces are fitted. I think it was a ploy to get me to sign on the dotted line before leaving. He was also quite standoffish when I was asking him to explain the technical findings noted on my contract, to which he replied â€œyou donâ€™t have to worry about what it means!â€

#4 Post by **kittenmaisey** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:37 am

Asabea,

Ortho A wasn't in Harley St was he!!?

You were right not to go with this Guy. I'm wondering what the

'specialist Ortodontistry'

entails.
I have had several quotes for top and bottom braces. None of them were less than Â£6000
Be careful & good luck

#5 Post by **asabea** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 10:59 pm

Hi kittenmaisey,

No, ortho A was not in Harley Street. Although his price comparisons were against people who were!

I feel pretty confident with the one I am going with. The practice is constantly busy and the one time I was there the ortho I was using appeared to have a really good relationship with his patients. Everyone leaving was full of praises for the service.

Even though they treat kids, I bumped into a number of adults which reassured me. I have got to the point where I am ready to take the plung, the longer I leave it the more chance I have of changing my mind.

#6 Post by **asabea** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 1:36 am

So I have taken the plunge and gone with ortho B. My brace day is 11th August.

I canâ€™t wait to get them fitted as the anxiety is killing me. I havenâ€™t got a clue how I will cope with the food situation as I am practically a Carnivore. I will be spending the next month trying to adapt my diet in preparation.

Roll on brace day!

#7 Post by **tinksqueak** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 2:29 pm

Asbea

Please, please will you let me know the name of the ortho you didn't like? And the details of the one you did go for if you're happy?

I am just going through the consultation stage with London orthos and am terrified about making an expensive mistake by going for the wrong one!

I am new here and don't know if there's a private message function but if there is and you'd prefer to answer that way please do.

Thanks!

#8 Post by **asabea** » Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:23 am

tinksqueak wrote:Asbea

Please, please will you let me know the name of the ortho you didn't like? And the details of the one you did go for if you're happy?

I am just going through the consultation stage with London orthos and am terrified about making an expensive mistake by going for the wrong one!

I am new here and don't know if there's a private message function but if there is and you'd prefer to answer that way please do.

Thanks!

I have sent you a PM

#9 Post by **drrick** » Mon Aug 02, 2010 10:30 am

I am glad you are comfortable in selecting your dr. One thing to keep in mind with only 1 saturday appt every six weeks is that if you have a schedule conflict you will be seen at 12 week intervals. Also if you have an emergency you might not be able to get in w/out taking off from work.

Just keep those factors in mind.
Good luck with your treatment!!!