So frustrated... 5.5 years and counting...

[Blt178]

I don't know that it does me any good to try and get to the bottom of this now, but I find myself very upset following what should have been my 2nd to last ortho appt... I've been in braces since May 2006. My mouth wasn't a mangled mess by any stretch; a little crossing of the top front teeth, crowding in the lower and, most importantly, two lower adult bicuspids that never grew in after my baby teeth finally fell out.

I'd always been self conscious about the crowding and so once the decision was in front of me to pay for bridges for the missing teeth (and not addressing my vain concern about the visual crowding) OR finally dive in and do the whole braces experience... The choice was simple. Braces it was.

I have to admit I'vehad some concerns for a while now about my orthodontist... I didn't at all shop for one. I adore my dentist and trust him so unconditionally that I just went with the guy he'd brought into his practice. I didn't know what a hassle it would be that he's only available on Wednesdays, didn't know that his patient load was so large that needing to reschedule an appt would often mean a 3 week delay in seeing him at all. When I ask questions I get vague non-descript answers. I've been given three different estimated debrace dates that we've long since blown past. (first one was Oct 2008)...

My monthly payments stopped almost 2 1/2 years ago now and, $6000 later, i'vebeen gouged only by the idea that he MUSTbe interested in getting me done too since at this point I'm no longer generating income when I sit down in his chair...

At 5.5 years in, I'm really questioning this guy... I was supposed to get these off in two weeks. Debanding was scheduled. But this afternoon, my dentist came to look and pointed out yet more tweaks needed. In my experience that will mean at least another 4 months.

My husband is livid that I'venot confronted this guy about the longevity of my treatment... I kept feeling that challenging him wouldn'tmake it go any faster, but after this afternoon's disappointment I'm feeling QUITE bothered.

Have I been taken for a ride by a quack all this time? Is 5.5 years and counting at all reasonable???

[Snowglobe32]

I am sorry that you are so frustrated! I would be also.

My advice would be to go in for your debanding, bring up the issues, if the ortho decides more tweaks need to be made, then I would ask for my records/scans/xrays etc. and go find someone else. You can explain that it is taking too long and you feel a fresh pair of eyes might be able to finish the job. It doesn't sound like you had major issues, so why did it take over 5 years?

5 1/2 years is a really long time to be in braces. I am at month 25 out of a 22-24 month estimate and I had a huge freak out the other day about these braces still being on.

I have a co-worker who had her's taken off at the 5 year mark because she didn't feel anything else could be done and she was tired of the braces. And I will tell you, her teeth look great.

What are the issues that still need to be addressed? Do you even know? Can you post pictures?

[pinaypie]

I think you need to have a talk with your ortho...that treatmenrt has taken wayyy too long, and as you said your teeth is not crazy bad anyways. Please talk to him and let him know what you are feeling because this has gone on long enough. It's time to see your beautiful teeth...

[sharp]

I was in the same boat until July 2006. See my threads in the lingual braces forum.

5 years, with terrible results. Worse than nothing. I mean terrible. I need surgery.

I've gone to another orthodontist. I hope he knows what he's doing.

Like you, I didn't shop around either, just went to the local guy. Trying to get my money back. He's making it really hard; he thinks he's done a great job....

Cut your losses unless you're happy with your teeth. Some orthos just aren't as good as others. Start writing him letters. He's probably not even thinking about you much; hoping you will go away... be a bit aggressive.

[belistic10]

whoa that is a long time! i would definately be demanding answers and if they cannot tell you good enough reasons i'd go get another opinion asap! i hope something happens soon for you to get them off! you must be so over it!!

[TumbleDryLow]

5.5 years is NOT reasonable. I think the main problem is that you have two people looking at your teeth--the dentist and the ortho. That means you have two people with two different ideas of what "done" means. You can go round and round like this forever.

The way I see it you have 3 options:
1. Stay the course with the current ortho & dentist, don't make waves, trust they really do have a method to their madness.
2. Get a second (and maybe third) opinion from another ortho. Some orthos may be skittish about taking over work in progress. If you find one that will it most certainly will mean more time in braces.
3. Take a long hard look in the mirror and decide if you can live with your teeth as they are. If yes, have your braces removed. If no, your options are either 1 or 2.

If it were me I'd take option 3 IF:
My bite is good. (Is your bite comfortable when you bite together and do all your teeth line up properly?)
I have no discernible spaces or gaps.
I'd be proud to smile the smile I have.

The ortho/dentist cannot keep you prisoner in your braces. If you want them off he will take them off. You don't need to be a jerk, just tell him you've thought long and hard and you are happy with your teeth so please go ahead with the debanding. They may try to talk you out of it---just be firm but polite.

Best wishes.

[Blt178]

I don't know what to do... I've lost faith that this orthodontist CAN finish my treatment.

There are definitely still some issues with the alignment (specifically some up/down movement of my front teeth so I can properly take a bite out of a damn sandwich again some day) but I was lead to believe by my ortho that they'd just 'shave' down where needed to make everything perfect in the end. The dentist said yesterday that it was too much to possibly 'shave'...

I know starting fresh somewhere will take some additional time too but I don't trust that this guy I'm with now is going to get this corrected quickly either anyway.

I'm so heart broken. I was so ready for them to come off and the idea of continuing with him or starting fresh somewhere else is devastating at this point...

[TumbleDryLow]

I guess there is a 4th option: Give your current ortho a deadline--whatever that may be. Tell him to fix as much as they can in 3 months, 6 months--whatever. Tell him the issue(s) that bothers you the most and tell him to focus on that. Remind them of the deadline constantly. Maybe if they know you are fed up and are going to stick to your guns about getting these things off in the very near future they will pick up the pace. Once again: polite but firm.
Also, you may want to consider (politely) asking your dentist to butt out. You only need one cook in this kitchen.
Good luck.

[Snowglobe32]

Great advice Tumble!

BLT178- I would go get a second opinion. Clearly, you need another opinion and I am sure whomever you go see, will understand your frustration. It could be an easy fit. I am frustrated for you. 5 1/2 years is longer than highschool or college.

I think after all of this time, you deserve to have a great result.

[bedazzlemouth]

Definately not reasonable. Get ALL records so you have the before and after evidence then go seek advice from another ortho. Maybe your ortho is so horrible (quack) that he has been spending the last few years correcting his own mistakes in your mouth. Good luck.

[sharp]

please just go SEE another ortho. even if you dont start treatment with another one

just get someone else's opinion!!!!

i had to cut my losses after 5 years. another ortho, and a surgeon, basically told me i'd wasted 5 years, half a decade!

5 years could easily turn into 6, or 7, or 8. when are you going to stop it? it will go on indefinitely until you stop it.

seeing another ortho could be very effective. he might ring up your current one and tell him, hey, youre doing it wrong. or he might say, i could finish this in 3 months, or he might say, these are ready to come off!

[Blt178]

You're right sharp, that's my fear exactly... that this will just continue adnaseum. I've located some alternative drs to speak to... will at least see what comes out of the consultations. Thank you all for the encouragement. This has been so disapointing and it's nice to hear from others who understand!

[CLB26]

Hi Blt178,

I feel your pain ... I really do. I spent over 3 years with one dentist (who wasn't an ortho ... likely my first red flag) who completely screwed up my mouth to the point where I couldn't smile or speak comfortably anymore. I had the braces off for 6 months during which time I was a complete, utter miserable mess going from one dental professional to the next trying to figure out what the h*ll to do. I am now with a new ortho and have been back in braces for about 6 months. Next month will be 4 years since I started this process. My new ortho is not sure he can fix my problems and the anxiety that this won't ever turn out okay is difficult to manage on a day-to-day basis.

Anyway, my point is, you're better off going and finding a new ortho now than sticking with this guy for god knows how much longer only to get your braces off and have to get them put right back on again because things aren't right. Cut your losses and run! Hopefully you'll be able to get some sort of compensation for all the money you paid the guy you're currently seeing. I'm so sorry to hear that you are going through this . You are not alone!

[Crafter]

Please, get another opinion. Why keep with the same guy who is so obviously ineffective? Maybe you will need extra time, but if you stick to the current ortho you might end up with braces that extra time anyway. Or have your braces off with an incomplete result.

As somebody (I think sharp did) pointed out before: another opinion is important because it may mean a way to a fixed smile, a debracing or at least a different approach to solve your problem.

Keep us posted!! And good luck!!

[peach]

Hi blt 178. It looks like you've already made a decision but i thought i'd post anyway. I've been in orthodontic treatment for almost 4.5 yrs. I also didnt have major issues. Sone crowding in the bittom teeth and two gaps in my upper arch as well as an overbite. I was originally told two yrs. Ive been so frustrated with the process and, just like you, ive finished up my payments yrs ago so i figured the ortho must want me to be finished too. Ive asked about when i would be done but i always get vague answers. My upper arch became completely slanted and i knew i couldnt just live with it. It looked aweful. I was told that my treatment is taking long because i have dense bone so the teeth move slower. But a few months ago, my ortho took off the braces and started invisalign because she said she can address the details better and she realized we were getting nowhere with braces. I'm in tray 10 and my teeth have significantly leveled out. Im actually looking forward to the next set of trays i'll be getting just to see the results. & im not being charged for the change in the treatment. So keep us updated on what the other drs say and what your dr says. Im hoping to see the end of treatment soon...fingers crossed