Frustrated with my ortho! Few questions (picture)

[Michaelz]

Okay, so last month my orthodontist commented on the shape of my central incisors and told me she had to schedule my next appointment at an earlier time in the day, because she wanted to "shape" my teeth to make them look better. I was rather happy about that, because one of my central incisors is longer than the other and I dislike it.

Also, is it just my imagination or are my lateral incisors shaped awkwardly?

Anyways, I went into my appointment this week at an earlier time in the day (which was a pretty big inconvenience for me due to school & work). I get to my appointment 10 minutes early and promptly wait 60 minutes before she calls me. (I almost walked out)

I sit down, she doesn't even say hello (standard, so not a big deal) tells me to open my mouth. And then just tells me to close my eyes, she cuts off my central incisors brackets, and then repositions them. The entire time doesn't tell me what she was doing or why. So, my brackets have been repositioned and I have no idea why. She then walks out of the room without saying a word and then the assistant tells me to come back in a month.

The entire appointment lasted less than 5 minutes, she dragged me into the office early and made me wait an hour for that.

I don't really care that she is anti-social towards me, but to not even tell me what she is doing is pretty rude. I work in the medical field and if I ever did something to a patient without letting them know what I was doing -- I would get torn to shreds by a superior. I've been going to her for almost 3 years now -- and my sister had braces with her for 5 years. Which makes it all the more disrespectful. I can count the number of words she has said to me over the past 3 years on one hand.

I have become so fed up with my orthodontist that I am considering just getting my braces taken off. But, I am scared about what they will look like. I have no idea how much longer I have or whether or not my bite is close. If anyone can give a rough estimate from that pic, I'd love to hear.

[MissTippyToes]

One word...BREATH...

I know it's not what you want to hear right now because you're still upset about not being heard, but sometimes it's good to listen.

I am in braces too - with a similiar problem, so I know where you are coming from.

I like it when people listen to me too lol

Anyways, I looked at your pic and thought about it and it does look like you have valid reasons to get the procedure done, but don't jump the gun and take off your braces because your upset because you will regret the decisioin after all your hard work!

Don't take what I said too seriously, btw your ortho might of been having a off day too - who knows

-Miss Tippy Toes :)

[poppy123]

Grrrrr I feel angry for u just reading your post! I'd feel exactly the same. Have you mentioned how you feel to the assistant? They're usually a bit more friendly and may feed what you say back to the ortho?!

[bedazzlemouth]

Next time go in holding an index card and say "I have a few questions for you". "Do you want to answer them one by one or would you like to see the card then give me a summary?" She obviously isn't into "small" talk so you'll have to get right to the point.

[klobird]

Well finally!! I am not alone!!

The way you describe your ortho is EXACTLY the way my ortho is--but mine comes in a guy. Mine has only said one social sentence to me--that's it. Oh, and hello and goodbye. Yep, that's pretty much it....

Since I have figured out how they are at my office, I have already been thinking about how I will approach my 1st adjustment (3 months after being braced!). I have been there plenty of times for pokey wires that needed snipping etc. and it's always the same. So, right when I sit down I am going to ask them to tell me everything that they are going to do before they do it.

Also, I have always taken index cards with me when I have questions (like at my regular dentist who I loooovvvveeeee).
I took them to my ortho consult for the assistant. I don't care what they think--I am paying over $5000. I have the right to ask and say no--they are working for me. It is taking me a while to believe that.

I have regretted picking this ortho and his office except for one thing--he is supposed to be brilliant at what he does. And that is the bottom line--I am just afraid that since I have so long to go, I am just going to blow my top one of these times.
I am so not nice when I blow up, that it would probably just backlash on me--and that's the rub--we are pretty much stuck--$$$

Oh ya, and I work in the medical field too---my ortho and his office are teaching me a lot about how to be and not to be with patients!

[BracedGeek]

I changed orthos early on because one was incompetent and the next just didn't seem any better.

Current ortho doesn't do small talk. She comes in, looks at my teeth, tells the assistant what needs to be done, asks if I have any questions and is gone. But she is good at what she does, on a tight schedule and has already fixed what the first guy screwed up. I usually have to wait, but I have an hour rule when it comes to medical appts. If I am seen and am out the door in an hour, I call it a good appt. If it takes longer, I start asking questions.

I would be frustrated in your case, because the issue with your teeth isn't something typical. So a few words and a few minutes would be in order.

[Michaelz]

I don't care about small talk -- but to flat out not say anything when she was cutting my wires & repositioning pissed me off.

I didn't know if she was cutting to shape my teeth or the wire. I sat there like WTF is she doing. And obviously I am in no position to close my mouth or say anything due to the fact she has a freaking saw in my mouth!

I just can't wait for this entire nightmare to end.

$600 and hopefully only a few more appointments.