Re-Brace (Opinions)

Message

#31 Post by **SDFD TSchott** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 3:47 pm

LAJaw wrote:My braces cost $6500 (if uncovered by insurance) so $2600 sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me. I am a surgical case though, which might make it more expensive - not sure though, never asked.

Well here is what I don't get, 18-24 months first time in braces my cost was 3,000 out the door Yeah that's not bad at all if you think about it but here is where I get confused. "Second time in braces - if I decide to proceed with it" it's going to cost me 2,600 for 6 - 8 months in braces and a retainer.

#32 Post by **Audra** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:12 pm

You still have to pay for all the same things really:

consult
treatment plan
brackets, wires, elastics
doctor or his assistant's time putting on brackets, changing archwires, etc.
retainer.

All that stuff takes time and costs money.

$2600 is cheap compared to what I've seen others (including myself) pay for treatment. Most people don't get off much cheaper if they have to go back to braces a second, or third time.

#33 Post by **SDFD TSchott** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:36 pm

Alright so I did some research with my current dental insurance and well I guess I don't know what I will do here. The orthodontist is quoting me $2,600 for 6 - 8 months and that is without them checking into my insurance to see what they can cover. Well it turns out my insurance pays for all orthodontic treatment but I'm responsible for $2,650 so all in all. Guess I have a decision to make, get re-braced and fix my issues that have relapsed or forget about it all and move on.

I Don't know it's a bit to take on.

#34 Post by **ashesgap** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:46 pm

LOL. You think that's high? In Little Rock i was quoted 5200. I breathed a sigh of relief when my small town ortho told me it'll be 4000. Just wait till you find out how much an implant is gonna be. That is an even bigger shock.

#35 Post by **Audra** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:53 pm

If you can't afford it, save your money until you can.

Can't you make a down payment and pay it off monthly?

I couldn't afford braces when I was 25 so I waited (I'm 43). Mine cost $10,000 and I still need an implant.

#36 Post by **SDFD TSchott** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 8:37 pm

Getting second opinion at my current dentist who is also an orthodontist and see what he says about my bite and what can be done. I also have a discount of 35% up to $500/per implants.

#37 Post by **SDFD TSchott** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 5:34 pm

UPDATE:

Alright today July 7th I made an appointment to go in and get a second opinion with my current dentist who actually has an orthodontist on site. I have an appointment on July 14th at 1000 and along with that appointment "Consult" I also have an appointment for exam and cleaning all in one day in the same office.

I Also will be getting a quote or at least told how much I can look forward to spending for an implant on the one missing molar. Like I said above ^^^ I do get a 35% discount prior to dental insurance kicking in there portion on implants.

Stay tuned next week for more details.

#38 Post by **alimommy1** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 9:32 pm

Bleh. My first round in braces cost me about $4700. That was all inclusive for the records, all visits/appts, the braces themselves, and retainers. However... because of the accident I was in, my treatment was extended approx 6 months. I spent almost 3 years in treatment as a result. I was reading thru the thread where people mentioned how much theirs cost and I saw quite a range. I don't know if it's any cheaper just for one set (upper or lower) but I would hope so! I might have to go that round given what I found out today...

Implants... I'm in the same boat as you, I am missing the same molar and both my dentist and ortho mentioned an implant. I don't get any discount though that I know of, and it is very irritating to me that insurances do not pay the amount they would pay towards something else such as a bridge TOWARD the cost of an implant. I guess they called my ins to check for me and my ins doesn't cover implants AT ALL. Grrrrr. Seriously, if I were in insurance, I would make ins cover implants, any type of braces, lasik, etc, also things that are not only better and last longer but the best cosmetically. It's like they don't care how many times someone has to be retreated as long as they pay as little as possible each time. Really peeves me off.

#39 Post by **SDFD TSchott** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 3:31 pm

UPDATE:

Got a second consult tomorrow to see what the other orthodontist will say and approximate cost and time frame if braces are needed for a round two. I will keep you all informed when I get back from my appointment tomorrow at 1030 PST

Tim

#40 Post by **SDFD TSchott** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 12:33 pm

Update July 14:

Alright so I got a phone call from my first orthodontist and insurance doesn't cover anything and they screwed up there pricing somewhere along the line between the orthodontist seeing me and the financial person seeing me to tell me the overall cost. The original orthodontist wants to put braces back on for 6-8 months at a cost of 2,975 and then an additional cost for final records of 400 bucks making a total of 3375 yeah I don't think I will say yes to this option I will just keep the teeth the way it is. On another note he wanted to bring my molar in the rear right in to close the gap caused by an extracted molar.

Now onto 2nd consult, I saw the second ortho today and got his options and opinion on what he would think to be done. He looked at my x-rays, looked inside my mouth asked a few questions and allowed me to voice my opinions. Here is what he has to say. I have an impacted wisdom tooth that is causing a molar to tilt & twist so he wants to move a molar with braces to make room for the wisdom tooth and get that straight in. He also wants and suggests an implant for the missing molar "Since" he says if I was to move any teeth in the direction of the molar to fill the gap that I could jeopardize that molar understandable. After the consult and him telling me what's to be done and what options I have here's the treatment plan.

Full treatment top and bottom braces, metal (unknown types so far), 18-24 months at a cost of 2,650 which includes everything beginning records, banding and adjustments, metal brackets, upper and lower retainers and a free electric sonic care tooth brush and a free teeth whitening after treatment.

I have a few payment options with this case which include auto pay where they take payment out of my checking account but need to put 500 down, payment in full or I can finance my payments at 110/month with 0 down and 0 interest.

Also along with the ortho consult I had my dentist visit, I have relatively healthy teeth and gums with the exception of 1 cavity and 1 tooth that needs a crown other then that I'm doing very well with my routine cleaning and only need a deep cleaning of the uppers and a regular cleaning on the lowers.

#41 Post by **SDFD TSchott** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 5:02 pm

would like member opinions, should I proceed with treatment for 2,650 or should I just say heck with it and deal with my bite the way it is now. If you view page 1 you can see my concerns.

Thanks for your opinions.

#42 Post by **sapphirerose924** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 5:16 pm

If you can afford it, do it. If not, wait.

#43 Post by **Audra** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 5:23 pm

If you can afford their payment plan, I would do it.

#44 Post by **ScottR** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 5:25 pm

My vote... I'd do it. I think it is bothering you and I don't think it will improve on its own.

#45 Post by **SDFD TSchott** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 9:27 am

After much thought about what all you members here at ArchWired has discussed with me and proceeding with my re-treatment of braces. I've decided I'm going to check something out. I'm going to go in for a third opinion and see what the third orthodontist is going to say. Now before you argue with me on this subject I will explain the whole reasoning behind it.

Reasoning behind third consult.

After much thought into it I was about to shoot the gun and just proceed with the treatment plan the second orthodontist has given me. But after a bit of talking to a friend of mine who was in town who is an orthodontic assistant out in Texas (She asks not to give information out about her) was talking to me (Yes I know she's not the orthodontist) she thinks the second orthodontist is right on the money with the plan but thinks I should get a third opinion to see if the third orthodontist decides the same plan of action. Reason behind this is she and the second Ortho doesn't seem to think that my first ortho is qualified as he was trying to do a treatment plan at an obsured rate for 6-8 months on something that isn't doable. I will see if I can locate my old story and bring it back up to date with new pictures of what I'm talking about.

Along with that line they say if I call the board and start an investigation on this guy that I may have a potential winning law suit against him if he's not qualified to do what he's doing right now. I really hate to be an a__ about it but get real with me don't try and treat me for high costs at a short time frame and also not tell me that my back molars don't bite down when I'm fully biting down.

Thanks for reading
Tim

PS: Please voice your opinions if you feel you need to tell me something or need something to say