Orthodontic Colleges for Cheaper (Better?) Treatment?

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#1 Post by **shinyRiver** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 6:24 pm

Has anyone here ever been to a college of orthodontics to receive treatment?

If not, would you consider going?

If so, what were the advantages/disadvantages? Overall, were you satisfied with your treatment?

#2 Post by **kvphi** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 4:36 pm

Hi,

I'm getting my treatment at a Orthodontics College/University in London.

My treatment is very fragmented

in terms on bits and bobs being fitted here and there. I've currently had my spacers fitted and my bands(anchors). I'm soon to get my elastics and my brackets fitted.

They can be a little stingy on the wax

but for UK NHS (national health service) treatment it's pretty damn good.

#3 Post by **drrick** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:58 am

Getting tx done in a university setting can def be less costly. It generally takes longer for each visit as the work often needs to be checked by an instructor and the residents are not as fast as those with more experience.
Overll tx time may be longer as well particularly if the plan changes mid treatment

#4 Post by **kvphi** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:44 am

The reason treatment is so fragmented at dental universities in the UK is because you only have 1hr alloted time and you dont get (christmas) treatment times (usually between 23rd - 4th jan).

I've just had my fixed appliance done and it's alright. The only problem with NHS is that you don't have access to new technology such as the daemon system. You'd have to go privately for that.

I'm getting my entire treatment done for free on the NHS

So yea, costs are definately less!

#5 Post by **trillium** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 9:32 am

I was going to go that route (cheaper), but there was a long (few years) waiting list to get in.

#6 Post by **kvphi** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 1:53 pm

I got a referral from my GP and it usually depends on the severity of your treatment for how long you wait. My first consult was in july - and i was braced 16th December 2009. So for me, there was practically no waiting at all.

Treatment for me is going well so far. Wax distribution is fine. One container per visit and its of far better quality then the store bought stuff.

Overall i would give my experience thus far a 7/10.

#7 Post by **luckeeesmom** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:50 pm

I am in braces for the second time (once from a private ortho as a teen) and now as an adult with the Dental School at the University of North Carolina.

Prior to being accepted at the dental school I had a consult with an ortho that my dentist recommended. The fee to just straighten the teeth with braces at the orthodontis office came to $5900. The dental school is fixing my bite using TAD's and braces and the total came to only $3600 plus a modest oral surgery fee for installing the TAD's. After debracing they will also apply a veneer (less than $200) to one of my front teeth to aid with symmetry. So, I feel like I am getting much more for my money. I have seen much greater results than during my previous orthodontist experience, however, technology is a lot more advanced than it was $15 years ago.

Things I have encountered at the dental school that you might be interested in:

Insurance: My dental school does not file insurance, however, they will fill out the claim form for me to submit. Since the insurance company is used to the claims coming directly from the dr's office it took a lot of phone calls to get it processed.

Cost: As I indicated above it is significantly less than the private orthodontist. My dental school required $600 down when beginning as a patient and then the remainder monthly up to $3000 with no interest so my payments were $120.00/month.

Treatment: While the dental school is also interested in the appearance benefits of straighter teeth they have also emphasized fixing the underlying bite issues I was having. Until I have seen improvement I never realized how bad the problem was as I'd lived with it all my life.

I was assigned to a resident who had already finished Dental School but is doing a specialty in Orthodontics. My appointments always occur on the same day of the week so I am always with that resident and his supervising attending.

Throughout the course of treatment if the desired results are not occuring they discuss cases with other doctors within the department to figure out other methods that might work better. I liked the feeling that my treatment plan was reviewed frequently and not likely to get off track, but that I had the familiarity of having the same resident each visit.

Appointments: Because the appointments typically have to have both the resident and the attending there I have to be flexible with my appointment times. I think that is one area where the private office would have excelled, convenience of appointments and a location much nearer to my home. I currently drive about 30-40 minutes to UNC from my work or home and have to pay for parking each visit.

Overall I am happy that I chose the UNC Dental school because I feel that my treatment has been great! I would also take into consideration the reputation of the dental schools you are considering as well as references of any private orthos.

#8 Post by **luckeeesmom** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:51 pm

I forgot to add that most dental schools require you to be accepted into the program, meaning that you are a good teaching case before you can receive treatment.

#9 Post by **starzz** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 8:14 pm

I considered it, but my local university's dental school states on their website that only first-time treatments are eligible and this is my second time in braces.

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Orthodontic Colleges for Cheaper (Better?) Treatment?

Orthodontic Colleges for Cheaper (Better?) Treatment?

Treatment on NHS (fixed appliance)