Big issue ...

[Clo]

Hi,

(warning : this post does NOT include a happy content !)

last week I had another adjustment. I had at that point elastics for about
15 months to correct a class 2 bite and to close my anterior open bite.
I even got the name here of elastics king. Well, I already saw beforehand
that things were not ok to put it mildly. When I went to the ortho, she got
very frustrated. Aesthetically, my front teeth look now a lot better. But
their function, I mean my bite is a complete mess. It does not help when
my ortho admitted she does not know anymore how to correct it. Then
she did say not to continue wearing the elastics. All I can do, she said, is
returning to a former situation, and then redo it from there on. So, this
means that I have to redo completely the bite correction. And now that is
where I feel lost, as my ortho clearly said she does not know how to do it.
She even said that if she had known before, she would never have started
in the first place ! And now, after only 1 week, I lose dayly parts
of the class 2 correction, and my open bite is almost as bad as it once was.
And I still have 5 more weeks to go to the next adjustment ...

So, right now, I have heaps of questions. Should I be patient and hope
she will find a solution after all ? Should I see some other ortho and so
probably pay twice to get a pleasing result ? I do know you can't answer
those for me, but maybe some of you pros can bring some light in my
total darkness of these days ...

Arrrrgghh, this is a MAJOR SETBACK !

[joplin]

Clo, how about getting a second opinion asap? In a perfect world doctors themselves would suggest seeing another specialist if they have come to conclusion that they can not help the patient. But. I've been though one medical malpractise case myself and I know the world is far from perfect there... That said I can totally feel your frustration.

I'm worried about how much moving back and forth one's teeth can take. If your ortho now suggests sliding back to square one and starting it all over... I just have a bad feeling about that

[chrisd]

i think we are all very sorry to hear about the situation you have ended up in.
i agree with the two above posts though. i would, set up at least one or two consults with other orthos. sometimes i fresh set of eyes will have some new ideas.
i think it may also be worthwhile to schedule an appointment to sit and discuss your concerns with your current ortho, and see what she can come up with.
best of luck.
chris

[katemm06]

Clo,

Sorry to hear about your stressful and frustrating experience. If I was in your situation I would not feel comfortable to continue being treated by an orthodontist who openly told me that they are not sure what to do with my treatment after treating me for 15 months. As everyone else has already said, it's probaly your best bet to get a second orthodontic opinion. As a suggestion, you may want to call up a reputable oral surgeon and ask which orthodontist they would recommend you go to. It's also possible that you may be able to get a refund back since the ortho messed up. Maybe you could then use that money to go to someone else. But most importantly, whether you stay with your regular orthodontist or not, make sure to keep asking questions and remaining an active participant in your treatment.

Best of of luck to you!

[Chris]

I agree with my fellow posters, Clo...go see some other orthodontists and see what they say. If your current ortho doesn't know how to proceed from here, there is a greater chance he will cooperate (financially reimbursing you some) so that you can continue with another ortho who can correct the situation. I personally know of someone who that happened too. Don't wait, schedule those consultations now!

All the best, Clo! Keep us posted. Can you post a recent photo with your teeth together?

[Flora2006]

Yes, definitely see another ortho!!

[hannah164]

I'm so sorry to hear about what you're going through! That really stinks! That is a real major setback!

Hopefully if you go see another ortho they will be able to do something to help your bite! I think your ortho should help you pay for another ortho especially since she's admitted she doesn't know what to do next!

Big Hug!

Good luck! ANd KEep us posted!

-Hannah




Top braces: 4/28/04
Bottom braces: 11/16/05
Next Adjustment is 2/1/06 where they will bond a bracket to my cuspid which was impacted!!!!

[mtbrncofn]

Geez, that's a bummer. Just wanted to get in an 'I'm sorry' for all that crap you're going through.

I echo the others' statements, I would definitely go see someone else. If my ortho said, sorry I just don't know what else to do to correct it, I'd be very worried.

Best of luck!

[Clo]

Hi,

many thanks to you who took the time to reply. I deeply appreciate this.
And ... I feel I have to do this :

Muaaahhhh, KK and Hannah.
You are the best !

I did post this today in the section 'ask the doc'. I also put there a new
pic I took today that shows very well my open bite. And yes, I bite down
completely in that pic ...

[chinadoll]

Hi Clo

Wow, I'm so sorry to hear about your setback. I just wanted to let you know about another method for correcting open bites that I've learned about here in Asia. It's called multiloop edgewise and is very popular in the East because, as my ortho explained to me recently, there's a much higher rate of Class 3 malocclusions here in Asia and thus a huge incentive to correct open bites (regardless of the particular class of malocclusion) without surgery.

I don't think there are many practitioners in the West, but my ortho has treated western patients with this method. One of his patients, a German woman, was on holiday at home and went to her orthodontist for a cleaning. He said "I've never seen those wires before, but they're certainly doing what they're supposed to do!"


You can read more about this procedure at this site: http://www.drbobortho.com/braces-types.htm

As for me, I've only got a Class 1 malocclusion, but I go on the multiloop wire next month. I'll let you know how my treatment goes. Good luck!

As for me, I've got an open bite but just a Class 1 malocclusion.