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One of the girls at the office mentioned that patients with this system see him for adjustments only once every other month?? (Once every 8-10 weeks?) Reading around the forum, I'm seeing that many of you get adjustments every 4 weeks... This seems like a LOT of time between appointments. On one hand it's good, (less sick time from work) But I'm afraid if things go wrong in hurry, and he doesn't see me every month, can things really go WRONG?
I have a second consult with another doctor in 2 weeks..
I didn't expect this to be so emotionally stressful!
Good luck with your first ortho Alison,it's exciting when you finally get to get started!
I've never had self-ligating braces myself but from what people with SL post here, 8-10 weeks seems about the norm. Less appointments to fit it!
I havent heard any specific issues around the longer times between adjustments but like any braces type, im sure you could call your ortho if you're concerned all is not going well between adjustments. I like the sound of the smaller brackets & cleaner look of SL, unfortunately my dentist doesnt work with them
<--Not sure exactly what type of brackets these are, but I was told my appointments would be about 8 weeks apart. My first one will be ten weeks since installation.
Hi, good luck with your consultation. I had mine just last week and walked out thinking of dozens more questions to ask. Will right them down next time!
Hey there, good luck! I just had my two consultations and both told me the same exact thing... cept for about a 100 dollar difference, so I went with the one local. I will get braced in exactly one week. I am so excited. Anyways make sure you have a list of questions. I did and that helped me so much. That way I could compare little things. Like one dentist only gives out ONE retainer, the other gave out TWO, but turns out the one that only gives you ONE did free whitening, the other did not... those issues all made my ultimate choice.
I had two consultations, myself. They both said basically the same stuff. They both even charged a little over $6000. They big difference was the down payment. The first consult wanted half down and the second added the dental insurance to my down payment. Which made it $637 down. Also the first consult does traditional metal braces and the second did the damon system. Another thing that sold me on the second consult was that they use a digital impression system and not the icky goop they use for alginate impressions.
Well It didn't go badly, but I'm a bit overwhelmed.
They really pushed SARPE surgery.. They said surgery can get me to 100% perfect. He also said it would take *longer* with surgery (which I thought was odd, I thought surgery made things faster? He tried telling me surgery "wasn't that big of a deal"... but then afterwords the assistant was talking about what I've been reading here... liquid diets, and weeks of recovery... To me that's sort of a big deal?
The other option was 2 premolar extractions to get me at "good" but my bite will still be a crossbite.
Cost (of the SARPE option) $8,280 - 28 months
Cost (of the extraction option) $7,280 - 24 months
(neither of these costs include the surgery or extraction)
Oh wow, the prices and surgery and extractions would kind of overwhelm me too. Im' thankful I have enough room in my mouth for the teeth. Letus know how the other consult goes.
I can perfectly understand that you feel overwhelmed.... by the ortho recommending SARPE surgery, by the huge costs....
I was also recommended SARPE by my ortho, but I did refuse. My ortho also said it wouldn't be a big deal, but in fact I think SARPE it is quite a big deal, not something just to do easily. To me my crossbite doesn't really bother me (it is my open bite that I want to get fixed or at least improved) and therefore I decided against surgery and just to get braces. I know my bite won't ever get perfect without surgery, But I think I will also be happy with just 'good', especially because for me it is purely a cosmetic issue. If I were you, I would just take time to think about it all. How important is it for you to fix your crossbite, or could you just be happy with straight teeth? (requiring only braces I think?). I wish you good luck with your decision!
SunshineRay wrote:Wow, I would be overwhelmed with those prices too. And that doesnt include the surgery?
The prices do not include surgery.
I am looking forward to consult #2 (April 12)
I did find this article that I posted in the surgery forum... It suggests that the SARPE surgery may be less of a "big deal" then I thought (but it's still pretty intense)
My cost is also over 7000, full upper and lower. When you consider that is almost the exact price of ONE Remicade infusion (6-8 per year) you can see why orthdontics is considered a medical bargain. Not to minimize the expense, it's definitely a challenge or even a sacrifice for many people.
Price with braces only - $8,900 - 30 months.
Prices with SARPE (not uncluding the surgery) $10,000. 36 months.
He didn't even LOOK IN MY MOUTH! The assistant took pics... he looked at the photos. No thanks, dude.
So Back to Ortho #1. (the one who wrote the Damon article on this website) I am *probably* going with the 2 extraction - Damon braces route.. (no surgery). I can't see the surgery being worth the expense, the risks and the extensive recovery.
