Do you think orthos give the standard of Two Years just so..

[hithere]

that you can pay more money? The 11 month post is what led me to ask this. Sometimes I wonder if they prolong treatment just so that their monthly payments are longer.

Has anyone else ever wondered this?

[bbsadmin]

I don't think so. Teeth are moved better if they are moved slowly. Fast isn't better. The standard treatment for most people is 24 months.

[JD33]

I trust my ortho. She studied orthodontics in her native country and in the US as well. Basically went to school for it twice and on top of that she worked for the local university as the director of orthodontics.

She informed me that slow and gradual movements are prefered which help prevent losening of the teeth. This can happen if the teeth are stressed and moved too fast. Like the saying says. Slowly but surely.

Another factor is the severity of the issue. Keep that in mind. :)

[Johnny B]

I'm not sure what you mean by this question. From my understanding the fee is the same no matter how long your treatment takes.

[hj55]

I paid for my treatment over 16 months but my actual time in braces was 20 months. I was given an estimate of 18-24 months for treatment but my payments were only ever going to be over 16 months and the amount was stated at the beginning in my treatment plan. I was told exactly what was included and any possible extra payments which might be required eg If I needed TADs to help correct my midline this would have cost extra.

[sunnylocks]

I went on quite a few consultations before I decided on my ortho. I am a candidate for Invisalign and would have been for 6 month braces as well if it weren't for my malocclusion 3.

On every other consult I was told 2 years and that I would need jaw surgery as well. When I went to the ortho I finally decided on, I was surprised at what he told me. I am only estimated to wear braces for 10-12 months and I didn't have to wait a month for my X-rays or for my braces to be put on. Everything was done in about 4 days. And all the before/after pictures I've seen are great. I told him about my other consults, and he said most offices, especially in low-income areas, they do say two years because it's cheaper and it's done that way for a long time. If it ain't broke don't fix it type deal.

But I think because my ortho is very innovative and does do 6 month braces, he gives the best and most efficient service he can, I mean who would want to wear braces for longer than necessary?!

[jambo532]

My ortho said between 10 and 24+ months for treatment. You can never really tell with adults how fast their teeth are going to start moving. With that said it doesn't effect my pricing at all. Mine was 5700 (ceramic) for everything.... all X-rays, retainers, molds, everything. It doesn't matter how long it takes my price is the same.
www.allbraced.blogspot.com

[sjs8906]

I don't think how long you are in treatment would affect the price. After my consultation when my ortho had come up with a treatment plan, I was quoted a total price. I was given the option to pay it in full or in monthly payments, and I could choose the number of months I wanted to make payments for.

See, regardless of how long I end up being in treatment, I would still pay the total cost in the end.

[musicluver]

I wondered, too. I had to choose a plan that went longer than 24 months because my payment would have been too high for me to afford... Therefore, I have to pay interest because there was no way I could pay it off in 2 yrs with my monthly payment. If I could have paid a higher monthly payment, supposedly, I wouldn't have had to pay interest. Of course the office manager assured me I was getting the lowest cost possible... So, that does make me wonder, too.

[Skysi]

I had my initial upfront fee paid when the braces went on, then it was x19 months of payment. The initial set of documents had the full quote on it and a sentence mentioning something about if we had difficulties paying the stated amount every month it could be adjusted, provided the final amount was eventually paid.

I'm close to three years now in braces and haven't paid more than quoted so far.

[bracedup]

I dont think so...I was quoted a price before treatment commenced If I pay it off sooner or later that is my choice. 2 years is standard but some take longer (hope i dont end up being one of them lol).

[Lisa43947]

I was in the waiting room at my ortho's office one day when a teenager came out with his mother, and he was told that the next time he came in that he would be getting his braces off. I heard his mother ask the receptionist since it was a whole year earlier than the expected timeframe, whether she could get some money back. The receptionist told her no.

[trossi]

I had my first set of braces on for 1 year and it was $3000 Canadian, I'm now being told by my new orthodontist that it wasn't long enough. I also still have crowding. I'm getting braces again because I need jaw surgery but Its also going to fix my overcrowing I was left with. Also, because they were only on for a year, I have a few teeth that have shifted a lot since the braces were off. you get what you pay for.

[itsabouttime22]

I also don't think braces time is tied to length of payment. Although I wish it was- I was told I'd have braces for 20-22 months, but I paid them off after 5- somehow I don't think this will shorten my time lol!