Metal Mouth Message Board

I asked this question because I got my last cleaning at another dental office (not my regular office), mainly because there cost of cleaning is cheaper. They actually didn't do that great of a job, so I will be sticking to my regular Dentist now, thank you very much . Anyway, the hygienist who cleaned my teeth asked why the office I got my Braces from doesn't do my cleanings. She said they also do braces at their office and when their orthodontic patients come in for their adjustments, they do a full cleaning for them, so they don't have to be getting them cleaned separately. Now I don't know if a separate Orthodontist comes in to do the braces (at the office where I usually get my cleaning done, they also have an Orthodontist who comes in) or if the Dentist there does them herself. So that little conversation was what got me thinking about the question. But then, since it's a Dental Office, it would make sense for their Orthodontic patients to get their cleanings done there too, though they don't have to if they choose not to. But what I'm now wondering is if their patients pay them every time they go for their appointments and a thorough cleaning is done on their teeth, if it's free, or maybe it's already calculated as part of their treatment costs.

Just rambling. This question seems irrelevant now!

I just found out that my ortho is adding a hygienist to his office soon. Not such a bad idea, considering that if you go to your own dentist, you have to go to the ortho, go to the dentist, then go back to the ortho. I practically had to make a day of it!!

Also, they can really encourage patients to actually get those regular cleanings by having a hygienist right there. Cuts down on the excuses --especially if the ortho sees a need...

As for me, I am willing to travel to go to my own wonderful "superdentist"---to another city if I had to! (Good thing she's only a couple of miles away from the ortho...). I think I have the most wonderful dentist in the whole world--my ortho's office needs to take lessons from!!

In Ontario, Canada, we employ hygienists to do what many other states and provinces employ assistants to do. This is by regulation. At the same time, we are specialists in orthodontics rather than generalists, so we do not offer cleaning services to our orthodontic patients. This is the case in the majority of offices. There are various reasons why orthodontists might offer this extended service, but generally does not happen in very busy offices.

I get my teeth cleaned at my dentist nearby. My ortho had me schedule 2 appts. for the day of my scheduled cleaning, 30 min. before the cleaning to remove the wires and then return after the cleaning for another 30 minutes to complete the adjustment. Afterwards I've felt like I've spent an entire day on teeth!

londug wrote:I get my teeth cleaned at my dentist nearby. My ortho had me schedule 2 appts. for the day of my scheduled cleaning, 30 min. before the cleaning to remove the wires and then return after the cleaning for another 30 minutes to complete the adjustment. Afterwards I've felt like I've spent an entire day on teeth!

Yep, that's pretty much what I do...but usually have to spread it throughout the day - which really sucks (I have to take time off for it). But, I'd rather get the teeth cleaning without the wires than with them and the ortho doesn't mind doing it.

No, I have to book appointment with my general dentist's office if I want teeth cleaning.