if you got your braces done by a general dentist...

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#1 Post by **jay.tee.** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:45 am

...are you satisfied with the results or progress you're making?

#2 Post by **shinyam** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 12:19 pm

I am getting mine down by a general dentist, and have mixed feelings. I cannot say until I see the end results, but so far, everything is going excruciatingly slow. For example, I have had to wear the palatal expander for one year already. Sometimes I really wonder whether he knows what he's doing.

#3 Post by **Trixxcuit** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 8:13 pm

I'm getting mine done by my dentist.
So far they didn't tell me to stop turning th key on my bottom reatiner and it ended up spacing my bottom teeth really far apart, but it went back to the right size.
And an assistant does all the work and she'll say opps a lot. Kind of makes me nervous, but nothing too bad has happened yet..
I'd say I'm happy with the progress so far. But if they "forget" to tell me stuff again I won't be happy. They don't really explain what's happening either.

#4 Post by **jay.tee.** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 7:05 pm

hehehe...tnx y'all for your replies...im planning to get mine done by one. i trust my dentist and i think she's up to the challenge to make my teeth beautiful...hope it will happen asap...

#5 Post by **fins** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 4:03 am

Personally, I always look for a specialist in MDs, dentistry, etc. I'm sure there are good dentists out there but to be honest, I think orthos really do all the orthodontia, at least where I live. I've never met a dentist who even offers orthodontia.

#6 Post by **dr.j** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 4:13 am

As an orthodontist myself I can that we as specialists are all pretty biased about this subject. Esp since few GP's get any real ortho training in dental school and mostly have to get training in weekend courses. Just ask your GP if they think your case would be best treated by an orthodontist. If the option was never given by him/her - I would consult with an orthodontist prior to starting tx with a GP. If it is a matter of just saving some $$$ that is understandable but shaky territory.

Dr.j

#7 Post by **swellen** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 4:24 am

I had mine done by a dentist, but I only had partial braces (12 teeth on the top, nothing on the bottom). My dentist said he would be happy to refer me to an ortho, and if I wanted to go the full braces option he would insist I go to an ortho. The full braces option also included lower jaw surgery (which is why I didn't have it).

I did see two orthodontists anyway, just to get several opinions. One said he wouldn't treat me if I didn't have surgery, and the other gave me the surgery option, an extraction option (although he expressed great reluctance about that one because he thought it would flatten my face too much) and the partial braces option, exactly what my dentist had offered. I did specifically ask him about that because I didn't even know dentists could do braces and he said the treatment plan suggested was a-ok and the same as his partial-braces option.

The price difference for what I chose was negligible - in fact I think my dentist ended up being about $150 more expensive... and then I spent $1400 on bonding, but I would have had that done no matter who did the braces as I had some chipped teeth. I'm very happy with the result - or as happy I was ever going to be with the non-surgical option!

So, while I wouldn't suggest that everyone should choose a dentist over an orthodontist, it's not always the worst option and certainly doesn't automatically mean that they'll do an inferior job.

#8 Post by **OceanGirl** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 6:16 am

I am getting my treatment done by a general dentist. Sometimes I wonder if he does know what he is doing. At some appointments he says next month i'll do 'this or that' and when the next month comes around he never does it. I am happy with my progress so far. I'm not sure if its the case with others who are going to a regular dentist, but he sends all the ortho information off to a lab and they sent him back what is needed and detailed information of my treatment. He pretty much goes by what the lab has sent him. I have no major complaints about what he has done so far. I probably would have preferred to see an ortho but unfortunately I live in a small town, and the closest ortho is 4 hrs away. Right now I have a minute walk across the street from my work.

#9 Post by **redjunebug** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:35 am

im having my braces done by a general dentist and he is AWESOME!!! he has also completed extensive othro education (i interviewed him and checked around, he he) he seems very knowledgeable and showed me pictures of his other ortho pts...plus his staff rocks!!!
for anyone in my area: Dr. Scott Bankhead, Bellingham, M

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#10 Post by **jaws** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 6:02 pm

I am having my braces done my a general dentist and am very happy with the progress so far.

I had two initial consults: one with an orthodontist who recommended extractions and a 2-year treatment time, and a general dentist who recommended against extractions and estimated a 1 1/2 year treatment time. The prices were the same.

I went with the general dentist, since he gave me a much more careful and thorough evaluation. Also, my boyfriend's sister had her braces done by this man when she was 11 years old (20 years ago!!) and her teeth still look great. So, I figure that my dentist has been doing this for a long time, and he seems to keep up to date with the latest knowledge.

I am actually having what is called a "Controlled Arch" procedure done on me, which isn't done often here in Canada, and is fairly new, but seems to be a well-respected procedure.

If anyone is interested in my story/progress you can check out my pics in the "Our Braces Stories" section under "Bethany's Story".

Wed Sep 21, 2005 4:14 am

I had a year when my medical coverage at work forced me to go to another dentist. When I told him I wanted a referral to an orthodontist, he said, "oh, I can do braces for you."

I'm sure that he was probably capable, but his dental office was in the back of an old house with no real modern equipment. Between that, and the fact that he kept having to be reminded of my allergy to latex (I'd have to tell him and then he'd change gloves) even though it was in BRIGHT ORANGE on my chart...

I decided to wait until I could return to my own dentist for a referral. I'm not into taking chances with my mouth.

I'm sure there are some people who have successfully received orthodonotic treatment from a regular dentist, but not this girl. Uh uh, no way.

#12 Post by **HotWire** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 9:07 pm

I'd like to ask the orthodontists who contribute to the forum:

what are some of the standard procedures that Orthodontists should always perform when evaluating patients for or when treating patients for braces? Or are there any? What would be a warning sign if they don't do it?
Example:
Should they always test your bite?
What is the standard procedure(s) for testing bites?

Should they ask you what you want to improve/fix?

Should they evaluate your profile and let you know what changes their recommended option will make to your profile?

Thanks for any info.

#13 Post by **spragers** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 6:04 pm

I'm getting mine done by a "regular" dentist. The other option was a 50 mile drive (each way) for each adjustment, emergency, etc.

So far I'm satisfied with the course of treatment, although I have had a couple of moments where I had to "remind" the assistant as to which side something was on, and I had to ask that my second molars on one side (which were way out of whack) get banded and brought into line.

On the other hand, I've seen some of his finished cases, and they have great smiles

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