Successful Consult!

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#1 Post by **beth1966** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:28 pm

Hi -

Well I had my consult tonight with the ortho. You may recall I was concerned because the last consult I had with another ortho resulted in him saying he would not treat me due to my history with TMJD.

I had already spoken to this ortho over the phone and I knew he would treat me - but that is all I knew.

I really liked him a lot. He was an extremely kind, compassionate and confident ortho. His waiting room was mobbed with young patients and a few adults - but he got everyone in and out fast. He met with me for about 20 minutes.

He said he can definitely help me - he believes straightening out my bite will make my jaw feel even better, at times I have some discomfort in the muscles. Gameplan would be for me to have that one tooth extracted and then we would begin with treatment. He says I will need them on for 12 months maybe 18 at most. He said my teeth will move very quickly into alignment - but the bite will take longer to adjust.

I will need to wear rubber bands.

NOT happy about that. He said for about 6-8 months - he will need me to wear them to help move my teeth into a proper bite. Is that common?

He uses ceramics on about all of his adult patients - not the self ligating. He said he did his dental thesis on self ligating brackets and he is not sold on them, does not think they move your teeth faster, that it is a marketing tool. I know this is a hot topic on here, and different orthos have different opinions - I am just passing on what he told me.

I expressed my concern about ceramics staining - when what I really meant was the rubber bands they use - which he reminded me of. He said he has all his adult patients come in every 3 weeks to change them and keep them clean.

Do others on here experience them staining faster? I certainly don't want to worry about that!

I was pleasantly surprised with his fee - which he already gave me and will include EVERYTHING, including retainers after - whether they are the permanent ones or not.

So that is my story. I return in 2 weeks for my records to be taken (impressions, pictures). Then I will arrange to have the tooth removed, and then in a few weeks after that I will get braced.

I am scared!

#2 Post by **beth1966** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:48 pm

I have another question - some people talk about pearl or off white ligs versus the clear or white ones. Can anyone use the various colors - meaning, does it depend on what kind of braces you have or just what color ligs your ortho has on hand?

#3 Post by **pumpkinpatch** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:16 pm

Hi Beth!

I was just reading another post where you said you are from NJ. I am too! I am in Northern NJ (Sussex County). Where in NJ are you? It's great to hear that your consult went so well. If you feel comfortable, do you think you could tell me who your/where your Ortho is? I would love to set up a consult with him if it's not too far away because I also have TMJD. Also, to answer your question about ligs, anyone can use any color of ligs, as long as your ortho has the color you want. Thanks and good luck with your treatment!

#4 Post by **pumpkinpatch** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:17 pm

Hi Beth!

I was just reading another post where you said you are from NJ. I am too! I am in Northern NJ (Sussex County). Where in NJ are you? It's great to hear that your consult went so well. If you feel comfortable, do you think you could tell me who your/where your Ortho is? I would love to set up a consult with him if it's not too far away because I also have TMJD. Also, to answer your question about ligs, anyone can use any color of ligs, as long as your ortho has the color you want. Thanks and good luck with your treatment!

#5 Post by **pumpkinpatch** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:17 pm

Hi Beth!

I was just reading another post where you said you are from NJ. I am too! I am in Northern NJ (Sussex County). Where in NJ are you? It's great to hear that your consult went so well. If you feel comfortable, do you think you could tell me who your/where your Ortho is? I would love to set up a consult with him if it's not too far away because I also have TMJD. Also, to answer your question about ligs, anyone can use any color of ligs, as long as your ortho has the color you want. Thanks and good luck with your treatment!

#6 Post by **pumpkinpatch** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:19 pm

Wow sorry about all the posts my computer just went crazy!

#7 Post by **beth1966** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:50 pm

Hi - I am in Bergen County - so not too close to Sussex. The ortho I am using is Scott Martin in Wyckoff NJ.

If you are near Sparta, NJ the dentist I would use is Phil Pistolas! I contimplated making that trip to him but it is just too far from me. He knows a TON about TMJD and correcting it with orthodontia. He has a great website but I can't seem to find it right now.

Hope this helps!

#8 Post by **beth1966** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:51 pm

Here is his website! He is very nice - spoke to me on the phone about a year ago.

http://www.pistolassmiles.com/

#9 Post by **dagwoman** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:53 pm

Just thought I'd write a quick note about elastics- I don't really understand why people have such a problem with them! They don't hurt, they're easy to take on and off, and once you get into a routine with knowing when they need to be on, it's all fine.

Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:50 pm

I'm glad you have had a sucessful consultation! Good luck!!!

This deserves a dancing banana!
- mariah

#11 Post by **beth1966** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:57 pm

Thanks!! I agree! But I have no dancing banana.

#12 Post by **bracedintx** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:26 pm

Beth,
Glad to hear you finally found an ortho who can confidently work with you. I know it's been a struggle.

On the subject of elastics, I agree with dagwoman. I've been in and out of elastics for at least half of my treatment. It's really not a big deal and the results you see from wearing them are generally very quick and encouraging! I do find that they hurt at first if they are closing your bite, but then it's just tightness...and the tightness tells you it's working!

#13 Post by **beth1966** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:43 pm

Thanks!

Why did you have to wear the rubber bands? Was it to help with your bite too? When you say tightness - where do you mean? In your jaw? Or in your teeth?

#14 Post by **bracedintx** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:10 pm

I've worn them at times to nudge a couple of teeth that were slightly tucked behind others, but most of the time they have been for closing my bite.
Hmm, I'm not sure how to explain what I mean by tightness

The only way I can think to sort of equate is if you put a stocking over your fingers and stretched them out--you'd feel resistance. Same as if you wrapped yourself up in a blanket I suppose. To be perfectly honest, I don't mind the feeling at all and it feels weird when my elastics aren't in

#15 Post by **pumpkinpatch** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:15 pm

Beth,

Thank you very much! I looked at Dr. Pistolas's website, but it says that he only specializes in pediatrics including functional orthodontics. Does he treat adults as well? I am actually originally from Bergen County. I used to live in Rochelle Park, and I still go there a lot to visit friends and family, so I would consider going down there for treatment. Does your ortho in Wyckoff have a website that I could check out? Thanks!