I got the wrong treatment

[LeahDL]

[quote="oldfart"]It may have just been me, but I had a written treatment plan that I questioned and followed the whole duration of my braces. I asked after every appointment what was the goal for the next month and asked a lot of questions. Just with paying as much as I did, I wanted to make sure it was done right.

Not to play devil's advocate here and please don't hate me for this question, but shouldn't you have realized before the end they weren't trying to close those gaps? Are the gaps visible? Do they affect chewing?[/quote]

Hello oldfart,
At least I learned a lesson, very painfully. Next time I will double check any paperwork before I sign!
And no, I didn't realized that they were not going to close the gaps. I asked a few times about the improvement of the teeth (without emphasizing that I don't want implant and just want to fill the gaps) and my ortho seemed very confident about what he was doing, that was not very encouraging for further questions.

I think it'll be hard for people to understand why I didn't ask. I think one reason is because of the ortho's " high confidence" about his treatment. Or maybe because I trusted people so easily and didn't learn to question and doubt. During all the procedure, I was just thinking that my downer teeth were moving very slowly. Oh, maybe a big reason is that I'm a new immigrant. In my former culture, for almost all of the patients, to have braces just means to fill the gaps (if there is extraction of teeth), make teeth straight, and adjust the biting. Nobody will have braces for implant. In my opinion, If a person decide to do the implant for the lost 1st molar, why does he or she have braces?
Thank you for asking and I find the reason why I didn't ask.

Anyways, it's not me who tells the ortho to keep my teeth gaps for the implant though I didn't ask for a detailed treatment plan and didn't ask questions often. And I think as a doctor, he or she should ask what help their patients need, and should also tell their patients what they are going to do before the treatment.

[metalliKa]

I got braces to correct my crowded and crooked teeth. My teeth are now straight but I still have the gap from my missing 1st lower right molar. My ortho and I agreed to not close that because I don't have enough bones in that missing tooth to move my second molar. If he were to try to move it orthodontically, the second molar will just look like this / |||| bad illustration but I hope you get it. When you see your ortho again, ask him about the #30 missing tooth and bone loss. He will probably tell you what my ortho told me. Your other teeth that were taken out? Have the gaps been closed?

[Ziggy]

I think the first thing you should do is go back to your regular dentist and have a talk. It might be reassuring to know things aren't as bad as they seem. First, everyone gets a "plan" from their ortho and if most patients are like me they are nervous and hear some of what's said and miss some. What's in writing is the very basics of what will be done without a lot of detail. I did read a bit about getting braces "instead" of an implant to close a space and while it can be done it doesn't always work and is not always the best plan. I'm not sure what you mean by False Teeth. I assume you mean implants. Not cheap but very common and rarely a big deal.

Finally, keep in mind that you are your ortho's advertising. Every time you open your mouth or smile people see his or her work. Most can't afford to make a mistake or make you unhappy. I certainly wouldn't see a lawyer until you've had a discussion with both your dentist and your ortho. Hang in there and keep us posted.

[carmenjimenez]

Are you out of danger now?

[LeahDL]

[quote="metalliKa"]I got braces to correct my crowded and crooked teeth. My teeth are now straight but I still have the gap from my missing 1st lower right molar. My ortho and I agreed to not close that because I don't have enough bones in that missing tooth to move my second molar. If he were to try to move it orthodontically, the second molar will just look like this / |||| bad illustration but I hope you get it. When you see your ortho again, ask him about the #30 missing tooth and bone loss. He will probably tell you what my ortho told me. Your other teeth that were taken out? Have the gaps been closed?[/quote]

Hi metallika,
Thank you for your advise. I'm sorry that your 2nd molar can't be moved to fill the gap. I understand it's due to the bone loss, and I know it's hard to move a molar tooth.
My case is really like yours! And I probably have bone loss, too. But my idea is different. I don't want to move the 2nd molar forward, but want my front teeth moving back to fill the gap. That will be easier than moving the 2nd molar forward. And I have wisdom teeth next to the 2nd molars. To move those very strong "big teeth" must be very very hard. By the way, I have protruding mouth, so I can have a better side face view if my front teeth are moved back.
My extracted other teeth (upper premolars) were taken out, too. And the gas of them were closed very fast in the first year of the treatment.

[LeahDL]

Are you out of danger now?

Hi carmenjimenez,
Thanks for asking. I'm not out of danger at all! Actually I'm scared! I'm afraid my ortho can't help me. And I'm also worried that he will charge me a lot of money if he can help. There'll be a had discussion and negotiation in that case.
I'll have my new record done tomorrow, x-ray, pictures, etc. And check up things. Then I'll know if they can help me.

[LeahDL]

I think the first thing you should do is go back to your regular dentist and have a talk. It might be reassuring to know things aren't as bad as they seem. First, everyone gets a "plan" from their ortho and if most patients are like me they are nervous and hear some of what's said and miss some. What's in writing is the very basics of what will be done without a lot of detail. I did read a bit about getting braces "instead" of an implant to close a space and while it can be done it doesn't always work and is not always the best plan. I'm not sure what you mean by False Teeth. I assume you mean implants. Not cheap but very common and rarely a big deal.

Finally, keep in mind that you are your ortho's advertising. Every time you open your mouth or smile people see his or her work. Most can't afford to make a mistake or make you unhappy. I certainly wouldn't see a lawyer until you've had a discussion with both your dentist and your ortho. Hang in there and keep us posted.

Hi Ziggy, Thank you very much for your advice. That's very helpful.
And yes, when I say "false", I mean implants.

[sandiego88]

Leah DL,

I hope you are able to get the treatment finished. I would think your ortho would not have you pay again. The braces are still on so he would just need to make a new plan then continue on. If he does want you to pay again you should try to get a second opinion/ transfer your case to a new ortho.

[Str8face]

I'm so sorry to see someone else going through the wrong treatment, especially after 2 years treatment already!

I took comfort in the post about 'trusting the high confidence' of the orthodontist - mine was very thorough during my diagnosis appointment but once I signed the papers agreeing to pay, I couldn't get answers to most questions.

My paperwork only had a sentence or two related to a plan 'correct crowding and improve bite function' but didnt talk about palate expansion or moving a molar forward to close space where I had lost a molar. I had planned to have an implant or bridge before braces but the ortho said he could move the other tooth forward and close the space and I didn't need to do anything else. I feel a bit naieve now since I had no idea he could only tip the tooth forward, and there is still a huge gap since its one of the biggest molars that I was missing for more than 5 years before braces.

When I started treatment there was no mention of the palate expander we planned for so when I asked he told me I must be confused because you can't use that on adults since our palates are already fused. Again I fell for the high confidence and figured I was probably just overwhelmed at my diagnosis appointment and misunderstood.

For months I kept asking for a summary of treatment plan but kept getting excuses or ignored. Almost every visit he would do something different than what he said the prior appointment and it got very frustrating.

I ended up ending treatment early (several other issues in addition to poor communication) and when I got my records was appalled to see his notes saying we 'decided together' not to use palate expansion. He made a major treatment decision without ever giving me the option he originally presented and lied about the decision in my records. He also did not explain that he could only tip my back molar forward - or I never would have abandoned my plan to get a bridge or implant.

Now I have to wait for my teeth to settle and hope the gap where my missing molar was opens back up enough for a bridge or implant, and oh yeah - have to get a palate expander at some point in the future. That wasted a year and a lot of money I cannot get back.

I think you are very brave and your patience should be comended since you are willing to carry on another few years

I hope all goes well for you and hope you will ask every question you can think of. It sounds like your doctor is willing to discuss things. I will hope for good results for you!

[Ziggy]

Sorry to hear about your problems, Str8face. In your case I probably would be looking for an attorney. Your ortho should not be lying in his notes, however, as I said before, my written plan was very cryptic but we did discuss everything in detail, and I asked a lot of questions before signing on the dotted line. IMHO I think it's a huge decision deciding between braces or implants and I think there's still a lot of controversy as to which is best. I think people assume that because implants are an invasive procedure braces are the better option, but most of my friends with implants say it's not that big a deal. Of course, I don't have any implants -- yet.

[oldfart]

Str8face, why do you have to wait for your teeth to settle? Did you not get a retainer. If not, go to any ortho around and you can probably get one made so you don't lose whatever progress you did make. If I am not understanding what you are saying, I apologize.

of

[Str8face]

OF - I should have called out that the tipped tooth is in the space where a bridge or implant would need to go - only it is just enough into that space to prevent the other treatment options, but not enough to close the gap where the other tooth was prior to loss. I have a retainer but the other practitioners consulted said not to wear it so the tipped tooth has an opportunity to revert back out of the tipped position. Also they noted that in 14 months the orthodontist should have progressed through more than just 3 guages of archwire - the tipped tooth is the only tooth in that arch to show any noticeable movement.

Everyone is quick to suggest I consult an attorney but it would cost more to do so than to just accept the finacial loss and learn the painful lesson of asking a lot more questions and not being susceptible to being pressured if answers aren't sufficient. At least I had the sense to end treatment early to avoid this doc making any more sloppy mistakes (unfortunately there are others he made but they are outside the scope of this topic thread) and within time to allow some of his work to revert. I am considering sending a statement of concern to the American Orthodontist Society so there is record of these issues and perhaps a coaching opportunity for this doc which could help avoid others going through the same mess. Will revisit treatment Once we see how much the tipped tooth will move, and with a lot more questions asked and answers given, and multiple opinions from multiple providers. Dental health is so very critical and to me it is worth the effort to make sure things are done correctly.