Records Appointment!

[BeautyMonster]

I've been lurking on here for awhile now while mobile, but I finally got online to make an account and hopefully connect with others with the braces experience. :)

I went for a consultation back in August, and decided to go ahead with the next appointment which is the records appointment. I had made it for the middle of September, but unfortunately I was nauseous the day of the appointment and had to cancel (impressions while nauseous, not a good idea.) The appointment was made for exactly a week later and I was all ready and excited for it, but again, something happened. We had rushed to get there after getting home late from school only to find out that the doors were locked and the building was closed. We called only to have a message telling us that they closed two hours prior (no reason given) and they'd be back in two days, on a Thursday. We had to call back then to find out what happen and found out an emergency happened and they had to close, and we should have received a call but we did not. So we made it AGAIN for this Tuesday, October 7th. Hopefully nothing happens this time!

I was wondering what to expect during the records appointment? I know we get x-rays and impressions done, but I was wondering specifically if spacers were placed during this visit. I'm not sure if I'm getting them or not, but with a ceramic crown on my very last tooth on the bottom right side (no wisdom tooth on that side), and hearing that bands are placed on crowns and implants most of the time due to brackets not sticking right, would they place the spacers in during the records appointment?

As far as I know, one half of the down payment goes to the records appointment and then the other half when the braces are put on, so I'm assuming the braces are put on after the records appointment (where the spacers might be put in if needed.)

[kiwibug]

Not that I've heard of. Records is usually x-rays, photos and impressions. Then you come back after that to discuss the treatment plan. Don't think I'm getting spacers first, so not sure when that would normally happen, but wouldnt be at the records appointment since you havent actually commited to treatment at that stage.

[BeautyMonster]

[quote="kiwibug"]Not that I've heard of. Records is usually x-rays, photos and impressions. Then you come back after that to discuss the treatment plan. Don't think I'm getting spacers first, so not sure when that would normally happen, but wouldnt be at the records appointment since you havent actually commited to treatment at that stage.[/quote]

Actually, once you go in for the records appointment you are committed to the treatment since you are putting part of the down payment on, along with the rest the time the braces go on. At least at my orthodontist.

[BraceFace2o1o]

Every office does things differently. Mostly, you go for a consultation and are not given a treatment plan until after the impressions and x-rays. I wanted to have a treatment plan before deciding to go ahead, it's just something I was more comfortable with but others have decided to go ahead before any of this.

I paid for my consult but it also included x-rays, impressions and photographs. I then had to wait around 2 weeks for the ortho to plan up a treatment plan and send it to me in the post. If I was happy to go ahead I could start the treatment and if not I could go back for another appointment to discuss.

In your situation I am not sure whether the spacers will be fitted (if they are needed) at your records appointment or if it will just be x-rays, impressions etc and you'll have to go back again for the spacers.

Another thing is, you might not need any spacers because it's not uncommon to not have the 2nd molars connected to the archwire during treatment, sometimes they are connected later on (my lowers were) or not at all.

[Dee17]

I first had my initial consultation. Then went back for my diagnostics appointment which included x-rays and impressions. After that appointment, I had to pay $399.00. I go back at the end of this week to discuss the treatment plan. No charge due at that appointment. I guess at that time he will tell me whether or not I need spacers but I am not anticipating that he will tell me I need them. THEN I go back on October 25th to have my braces actually put on and I pay an additional $1,000.00 After that, it's $209.00 each month until my treatment is finished in two years. That's how my orthodontist does things. Good luck with your treatment!

[kiwibug]

Actually, once you go in for the records appointment you are committed to the treatment since you are putting part of the down payment on, along with the rest the time the braces go on. At least at my orthodontist.[/quote]

It all depends on your individual orthodontist. I paid for an initial consult and records which are completely separate from any treatment costs. It's been a very long, drawn out process with having to wait for a surgery consult before any treatment plans could be drawn up. personally, I wouldn't want to pay for any treatment costs before seeing a treatment plan.

[Dee17]

That was the same for me. I paid for my initial consultation and then when I went back for my impressions and x-rays, I made another payment of about $400.00. When I get my braces put on, I'll sign the contract and pay another $1,000.00. Then I get billed about $200.00 each month until my treatment is finished.

[NICURN85]

Hi
I actually had an initial consultation and then went back to my records appointment which included the x rays pictures and impressions. At that time no money was due but the third time I went was for my treatment plan and if I then decided to go forward with treatment that's when the down payment was due and spacers were inserted. If you decided NOT to go with the treatment plan then you had to pay $200 for the records.

[SinisterShortcake]

Hi there! My process went: consultation visit, spacers visit (I wore this set of spacers for 2 weeks), records visit (x-rays, photos, impressions, original spacers removal, down payment), spacers visit (inserted into same spots as original spacers but I only have to wear these for 4 days), then I get my braces applied this coming Monday.

[Dee17]

Hi there. Are you new to the forum? If so, welcome. You'll find an amazing group of very supportive people here. Good luck on your bracket day and be sure to let us know how it goes.

[fatty1403]

Well for me, since I was pretty decided on the ortho and clinic, I had spacers put in right after I got my records done, in my first visit. I had to pay a down payment of 1,700 + 400 for X-rays and subsequent visits at about 190 bucks.

[starfish88]

I guess every ortho does it a bit differently. I met my ortho for an initial chat where I got pictures taken and had to contact my dentist to send my panoramic x-ray to the ortho. I also got sent to a clinic to get an x-ray of the side of my head. My ortho looked at these and then planned my treatment (2 options - surgical and not) and I went back a week later to choose my treatment (non-surgical). i had to then wait until i had got my wisdom teeth out at my regular dentist (it was already planned) and had healed to get my braces on at the 3rd appointment. i got impressions done just before I was braced as my ortho said they wernt 100% necessary (I hate impressions and was scared i would panic) and i had planned to avoid them but went ahead at the last moment.