Too many unanswered questions

[Xenbuf]

Hi there,
I got my braces a few weeks ago. I went in, they put the brackets on and sent me home. They also put on molar buildups which I wasn't expecting. I didn't even know what they were until I found this site. Everyone here seems to know their plan of care and seems very knowledgeable about what is happening in their mouths. I know nothing. I don't even know what kind of brackets I have! I see the orthodontist next week and I want a list of questions ready. So please give me some advice. What should I have asked before these things were glued to my teeth? Thanks

[Glandyover]

What do you know about the basics?
What kind of bite did you have?
How long are you in for?
Do you have regular metal, self-ligating, ceramic, what?

Also, even if you know everything stuff can change. I thought I wasn't going to get bands and I was going to wait on the bottoms until my bite had opened up (I wanted to avoid molar build ups).
However, one bracket popped off, my ortho decided to slap a band on that tooth and go ahead and put bands on the bottom molars as well and oh, while we're at it, let's put the brackets on bottom.
Oh, and hey, some of them are touching a little bit so let's do some molar build-ups.
Yes, I accuse her of baiting and switching every time I see her now. Geeze.

[sjs8906]

Honestly, most of the information I know is because I researched it myself. My orthodontist would explain a little, but nothing too technical. I guess he assumes patients don't understand the technicalities or don't care...I'm not sure. Definitely ask questions though if you are so inclined...I was always too shy to.

[Roboto]

I'm another who knows a lot about the process because I stalked these boards and did a lot of research. I think it's safe to assume that the majority of an ortho's clients are children and teens who wouldn't understand (or care to know) a lot of the terms or processes so they only really tell you what you need to know for that month. I'm sure he/she would be happy to explain the magic they're performing on your teeth.

[Marigold]

You're not alone, I was pretty uninformed as well. When I first came here I read about people discussing their bite being a class-whatever, and I was like, "huh, are we supposed to know what kind of bite we have?" My ortho is very personable, but he never tells me these things. Over the past 22 months I've learned to be more assertive and I ask more questions now. He's fine about explaining things if I ask first. Also I find that the assistants are more chatty and willingly tell me whatever I need to know.

[Mirai404]

My orthodontist also don't show me the treatment plan but sometimes he will say what he'll do on the next appointment. I don't normally ask him questions because I think he's a quiet guy, and if it is not problem, he won't answer what's going on but just look at my teeth and keep on doing what is it until I asked him again. If it is something serious, like not flossing properly, he'll say something about it or answer my question.

I did most of my research online. And till now I also don't know what the problem I had, like overbite or what. lol.

Nowadays I started to ask more questions as I find him more likely to answer questions. :)