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I'm 26 and I finally got braced June 30 - ceramics on top and metal on bottom. When I decided on ceramics the dental assistant was pretty scary in trying to convince me to go with metal for my entire mouth. I had really thought about it though and decided I wanted to have a brace free appearance in pictures.
last Friday I noticed a loose bracket, so i called and made the first available appointment (this Thursday). Today however another bracket just popped off, so I called the office and I get the same assistant that told me not to get the ceramics and she was mean to me! She told me "I told you so" about 6 times and said I was adding months to my treatment time and it was all my fault. I feel like it's none of her business and she should've been more professional. Has anyone else dealt with this kind of thing? Am I being too sensitive?
I don't think it is any of her business. One - if the ortho let you have ceramics it is his and your decision not hers. Also, it is not her business to be treating you like that. And by that I mean, the ortho or group of orthos, own the business, not her. If she is mistreating patients or making them feel uncomfortable I am sure that the owners of the business would care about it. I would give her one more chance and if she says anything else snide to you I would let the ortho know that you don't appreciate it.
I'm with jcdamon3 - that's none of her business. I would expect the assistant to be supportive of your (and the ortho's) decision, regardless of how she feels personally. I would talk to the ortho about it, and no, you're not being too sensitive.
Damon 3s. On 2/15/2006. Off 2/21/2007!
Essix on uppers, Hawley on lowers.
I agree with all of the posts. I would suggest that you talk to your orthodontist in person and share your concerns and frustration and the sooner you do it the better. By the way, is there another assistant that can help you when you have your appts.? If yes, then request him/her when you arrive for your appt.
When I read posts like yours, I always remind myself how fortunate I am that my ortho's office has the greatest orthodontist and staff. They are all so kind and caring. I don't think they would ever say anything like what was said to you.
Sorry you have such an insensitive assistant. As others have suggested, it's probably a good idea to talk to someone in charge about the assistant's attitude. Plus, she seems to be spreading some incorrect information, which she is probably doing to other patients as well. Orthodontia is a complicated process enough without someone confusing you with things that aren't true.
Like you, I have ceramics on top and metal on the bottom. I had two brackets fall off the first evening - when I was brushing my teeth! Also, the brackets that fell off were metal, not the ceramics!
From what my ortho told me, brackets falling off in the first couple of weeks are common - sometimes they aren't adhered well enough the first time and the bond isn't strong enough to take the pressure. It doesn't have anything to do with the inherent strength of the brackets themselves.
Good luck on your journey. I hope it goes smoother from here on.
I agree with everyone else... Nobody should talk to you the way the assistant did. I would, like it was said in previous posts, have a talk with the ortho. You deserve the best treatment out there with people behind you to support your decisions, not tell you that you made a mistake or "I told you so".
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Ceramic top braces: January 9th, 2006
Metal bottom braces: May 1st, 2006
