Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi
Ive been braced for over 9 months

and I've noticed my ortho is slowing my progress, she just took out my powerchains but my bottom teeth have not closed the gap yet, in my upper teeth i still have huge gaps and only a little power chain there.

im very pleasant with my progress, im already using elastics, my teeth respond very well to the treatment

she gave me a box with more elastics and I've been putting those elastics without her knowledge to close my gaps faster, they been working incredible good,
in the bottom i have no gaps at all and in the tops they are closing very fast. HAVE YOU DONE THIS? THE PROGRESS IS AWESOME, GIVE ME UR OPPINION

Do orthos slow your treatment so you have the time to pay all that you owe, I owe close to $2800

I think so.

Why would your ortho prolong your treatment? You owe them the money regardless of how long it takes, so it would be in their best interest to have you finish earlier so they have make room for new patients in the appointment roster.

Wow. Do not close the gaps yourself. Taking your treatment into your own hands without some kind of orthodontic knowledge is dangerous.

Your ortho may not be slowing your process at all, but instead may be concentrating on a different part of treatment currently. Sometimes gaps are the final thing worked on, and it's really hard to tell what your ortho's plan is without talking to him or her.

Please don't act without knowledge, set up a meeting to discuss the matter with your ortho so that you don't wind up causing yourself harm. Remember, you're effecting more than just asthetics when you move teeth.

Why would the ortho want to invest even more time on someone who hasn't finished paying? That's counterproductive. If you fail to make payments all the ortho has to do is send your account to a collection agency. It's not in his/her interest to delay treatment and I really doubt most would do anything that unprofessional anyway.

I agree with the others. If you take your treatment into your own hands that could actually work against you. There may be a reason that your ortho isn't closing the gaps. I would step back and let the ortho do what he/she thinks is best. If you have concerns, talk the to the doc, but dont do something if not advised.

I agree with everyone else.

Do not use your elastics or anything else on your own without your ortho's consent. You could damage the roots, gums, teeth, etc!

I also don't believe your ortho is slowing down your treatment because of money...that is just ridiculous. The fact that she stoped putting powerchains and all doesn't mean anything. Your ortho knows what she is doing.

If you are doubting her...have a talk with her.

Good luck

I agree with the others here. Most payment schedules are tied to how long treatment takes. Mine is $XXX/mo. for 18 months, the estimated time. If you signed a contract that is legally binding, she'll get her money or take you to court. Also, please don't try to speed things up. Not to worry you, but moving teeth too fast could affect the roots of the teeth and a lot of other things.

I remember reading somewhere that there is a limit to the speed of teeth movement, and anything beyond that is actually doing more long-term harm than good. Teeth move slowly, after all, they're stuck in your jaw bone!

Don't do it. You could really screw things up.

Your Ortho knows teeth and their movement, likely she will know what you are doing.

It could end up costing you more money and time in metal.