Not pleased with my orthodontic treatment...opinions/advice

[lizard]

Hi,

I got my braces on about 2 1/2 months ago and I'm wondering if I should be concerned or asking my orthodontist questions or if I'm being paranoid for nothing.

I went for my consultation at my ortho's office, and when I went they took pictures of my mouth and I sat down with my ortho and he explained everything that would be done and that it would be great and seemed genuinely excited for me and ready to begin my treatment. He said that my top braces would be put on first for about 8 weeks and the bottoms would be put on after because I have a deep bite.

My first appointment came and I had ceramics put on the top. They didn't take moulds or x-rays, just put the brackets and the wire on. A few weeks after, one of my brackets popped off so I went and got it fixed. The same bracket has come off three times since. It seems to be good for a few weeks and then comes off again. The last time I got it fixed the assistant told me that the brackets they have been using were not bonding to other patients teeth very well and they were probably going to switch brands, and it was nothing I was doing wrong.

Recently (about two weeks ago) I had my lower braces put on (also ceramics with metals in the back, same as the top). My orthodontist never came to see me or check my progress (this is after having my top braces for two months). After having the lowers put on, I can't bite down without hitting a bracket on the bottom with my top teeth. It's impossible for me to chew food without biting on a bracket in the process. A couple of days ago one of my bottom brackets came off. I called the office to schedule an appointment to have it replaced, and I noticed that another bracket on the bottom is feeling loose. I spoke to my sister who also had braces and she said her orthodontist gave her metal brackets on the bottom for the same reason (deep bite) and they also gave her some kind of mouth guard so she wouldn't bite on her lower brackets.

I'm paying $5200 out of my own pocket for my braces, I don't have dental insurance of any kind. I feel as if I should be asking questions or expecting better treatment, but these people should be professionals and I don't want to be a whiner if I'm being paranoid over nothing. My ortho has also been around for quite some time and has a fairly respectable name. I know a lot of people who have had him as an orthodontist.

What do you think?????

[gracey82]

Regarding your upper teeth biting down on the bottom, you should address this concern to ur ortho. I think i would have similar problem if my ortho didnt have my upper incisor reshaped (vibration something to make my incisor shorter) as it will bite on the bracket when i chewed.

[jjjmac]

I think it's pretty common to end up biting on your brackets during some points in treatment, but it sounds like it might be a little too much in your case and I would ask the ortho for advice or for a mouth guard. I know it's hard to ask questions but you did pay a lot of money for these, so try to voice your concerns.

[Le]

The not taking mould or xrays sounds pretty unusual to me. I have not heard of anyone getting braces without having this. And the constant brackets popping off are a concern. Did the other past patients you know have a good experience? Maybe check with them

[sarahlynn]

I have a deep bite as well - ask your ortho about bite turbos (I think I've also seen them called molar bumps). I have these on now and I am getting my lowers on next week. The bite turbos are cement buildups that are applied to one molar on each side on your bottom teeth. This prevents you from being able to bite down all the way, therefore you wouldn't be hitting the bottom brackets. They are a little annoying to have, but I haven't had any discomfort or problems with these buildups yet. Learning to eat with them was awkward at first but I can eat just about anything now that I'm used to them.

[lucydisuza]

I am a spammer and I have been banned by the admin.

[UGHBRACES]

This is all common stuff.
Call them and tell them that your teeth are hitting the lower brackets. There are things they can do to prevent this..

[fosterp]

From what I know bite turbos are a common method used to address overbites to keep the top teeth from hitting the bottom brackets.

Although as someone who has had the turbos be careful what you wish for because they are very annoying to eat with lol. However if you keep breaking brackets you should probably get them.

[Snowglobe32]

Hi,

My orthodontist never came to see me or check my progress (this is after having my top braces for two months).

I'm paying $5200 out of my own pocket for my braces, I don't have dental insurance of any kind. I feel as if I should be asking questions or expecting better treatment, but these people should be professionals and I don't want to be a whiner if I'm being paranoid over nothing.

What do you think?????

I find it unusal that the ortho did not come over and check to see if the brackets were placed properly. When I got my braces, I had the assistant watched by the "senior" assistant and once they had their "plan", they would yell "ready for bonding Dr...." he would then come over, take a look and give his okay.

I had a bracket come off once, it was on a crown. The ortho explained that sometimes the bonding material doesn't stick well to crowns, they added extra bonding and so far I haven't had any problems and it has been 5 months since that occurred. I would be a little concerned that your brackets keep popping off.

You are spending a lot of money for your treatment. My insurance is covering $1500 of my cost, but I am still paying about $700 more than you. I can relate to your concern when it comes to the money issue. You have every right to ask as many questions as you want to. For the amount of money we are paying, you need to get the best treatment you can possibly get. My ortho and his staff are very passionate about what they do, it really shows. From day 1, I have been really impressed. If you find that your ortho & staff seem annoyed when you ask questions or in regards to any treatment issues, then I would look elsewhere.

You can always get a consultation someplace else.

[loradora]

When I first had my brackets on my top teeth were hitting them and the ortho filed them down a bit so they no longer hit.

[cosmo]

Is it your front teeth that hit the lower brackets? I had the same problem and I told the ortho so they put some build up on molars so that they don't touch any more and it helped a lot. I only chew with my back teeth. the buildup felt uncomforatable at first like a plasticy rock feel but i am used to the now. you should ask about that if your over bite isn't too bad.

[Theresa48]

I think my ortho would have let me leave without bumpers if I didn't say anything after they put my brackets on....I said, "hey, are my front teeth supposed to hit those bottom brackets" and within seconds I had blue gummy bumpers glued on my molars to keep my teeth from touching ANYWHERE !!! So, this has been a bit of a pain, have to really eat just soft food, and I kinda wish I didn't say anything and I probably could have gone without the bumpers if I was careful ... that said, I was told my teeth would move more freely and quickly if my teeth were not touching.

Good luck...I feel lucky none of my brackets have fallen off so far!