After almost 2.5 yrs, braces not working - advice needed

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#1 Post by **cubbiecakez** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 4:01 pm

Here's the quick low down of my situation:

My two canines had to be removed because they were baby teeth and weren't strong enough to last through the remainder of adult hood. After consultation with my Ortho, braces seemed to be the solution to close the gaps by moving all my teeth forward. (Dental implants was ideal, but because of costs, I went with braces).

Presently (and also 2 1/2 years later), teeth moving at snail's pace... doc basically tells me that he can't deliver what he promised and will give me a full refund. He said I could get a bridge or do dental implants. Dental implants were my ideal choice, but the costs are scary! I'm only 26, where can I come up with the $$??

Anyways, What should I do?? I feel like I wasted time and it's wonderful that he can give me a refund, but what else can I ask for to compensate for the time I invested?? Or am I pretty lucky that he's giving me a full refund at this time?

Need some advice on what I should do about this situation...
Thanks in advance!!

#2 Post by **cubbiecakez** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:08 pm

Those are some good suggestions. There is a dental school up in San Francisco that I could possibly look into. I'm just a bit weary since it is a very invasive procedure.

The refund from the braces will be roughly $5k. That would cover one tooth at least. Then there's the other $5k I need to come up with. I'm sure there are other fees associated to this procedure too that I haven't accounted for.

I think in realistically, it is better in the long run to go with implants and I should look at it as an investment.... *sigh. Anyways, thanks for your response...please, if anyone else has suggestions, let me know.

#3 Post by **TheNewEmperor** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 3:06 am

I have nothing useful to add but I just wanted to say that it's dreadful that all that perserverance hasn't paid off. I'm sure you are very disappointed.

The ONLY upside is that the dentist has agreed to refund you which, I'm sure, is a huge relief. Couldn't he have figured out sooner that his plan wasn't going to work??

Anyway, if I were in your shoes I would move heaven and earth to get the implants...if you get false teeth for those areas then your bone will gradually deplete and you'll end up with sunken features in those areas. The cost and pain of implants isn't something I'd wish on anyone...but at 26 years old you still have a lot of decades ahead of you...

best wishes

#4 Post by **Betty Bat** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 12:45 pm

I just have to disagree with something that TheNewEmperor said and I'm wondering if TNE has implants or not.

I just got two implants and there was very, very little physical pain. It went even more smoothly than I could have expected. I'm 55 (!) and I also have decades ahead of me. So, I'll disagree with the statement:

The cost and pain of implants isn't something I'd wish on anyone...

Now, the cost is a different story ...

#5 Post by **TheNewEmperor** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 1:46 am

No, I don't have implants but I know someone that did get them....she got them quite a few years back when it was really considered the 'cutting edge' of dentistry....by the sound of it, the procedure has improved considerably.

It's good to hear that the implants weren't painful for you. I guess it's like gum grafts - mine when amazingly well with barely any pain while a friend suffered dreadfully with her gum grafts.

#6 Post by ***melissa*** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 10:36 am

TheNewEmperor wrote:=
It's good to hear that the implants weren't painful for you.

Why would implants hurt? All they do is drill a small hole (that doesnt seem too bad) and put a tiny screw in... maybe I can manage pain better than others, but I am getting implants most likely in a year or so and the possibility of pain has never ever crossed my mind. Maybe I am just an optimistic person, but implants dont scare me at all.... ya gotta do whats gotta be done! Not getting the implant and losing bone would scare me more!!

#7 Post by **beachrose** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 7:13 am

I had 4 implants and there was almost no pain except for the cost, but, believe me, this is the way to go. I know many people who have had implants and nobody is sorry. I had mine a couple of years ago and I know the cost has gone up, but, I would say do whatever you can to pay the difference over the $5000.

#8 Post by **purpleteeth** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 11:27 am

It is frightening to hear he is willing to give a full refund, which means he knows he has messed up somewhere (at least that is how it sounds to me).

I would take the refund and run! Get your retainers so you won't lose any more progress and then go get other consults.

#9 Post by **Bolduc** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 5:25 pm

Search around to see if you can go to a different place where it is not so expensive, look around on the internet, $5k a tooth is about the average price, but if you do some more research maybe you can find it for like $4750 or somehting, saves you some money!

#10 Post by **Lisa65** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 1:24 am

Meryaten is definitely the bomb-diggety

I don't really know much about implants, but from what I've read recently, it sounds like the problems initially encountered in the early days of implant surgery are well on their way to being overcome. You just have to be extra careful with hygiene, as peri-implant infection is the main cause of failure.

I'm sorry your ortho hasn't been able to deliver the goods, but it's great that he's been honest about it and offered you a refund.

Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:24 pm

$5k each sounds a bit high....I live in Southern Calif and was just quoted $3k last week for my implant. I think I'll wait till the first of the year and use flex spending...at least save on my income tax.

Glad to see the posts about no pain. I've been pretty apprehensive about it now that I'm getting close. When I was at the oral surgeon for something else, the assistant was giving instructions to someone coming in for an implant..... went like this:

"BE SURE to get your prescription for pain medication before your appointment, and BE SURE to bring it with you so you can take it the minute you wake up!"

That didn't sound real encouraging to me especially when they didn't even give me pain medication for my canine exposure and that was one of the most painful things I've ever had done.