Good and bad ortho? Same thing?

[vincent168]

We do hear a bit of talk about "good" and "bad" orthos...but what does this really mean? Does the good ortho tend to do a better job? Or do they all pretty much achieve essentially the same thing?
I have no idea what to look for when going for an ortho, perhaps the cheapest one is the best ortho?!

[bmueller]

My orthodontist as a kid applied the wrong treatment to my teeth and ended up doing more harm than good to my jaws and teeth. As an adult I ended up having braces again and jaw surgery to correct the problems because they couldn't be corrected by braces alone since I stopped growing.

When looking for a "good" vs. "bad" orthodontist, I would say, stay away from regular dentists who are willing to do braces. They don't have the additional years of training that a certified orthodontist has. I would also avoid new orthodontists and ones that don't keep up with new technology. In DC, they list doctors and dentists who have been rated highly by their peers. I picked an orthodontist off that list because I knew they came highly recommended. Since I began treatment, they have already adopted a bunch of new technologies including enamel repair after braces, techniques to reduce treatment time, and newer types of braces. I think that orthodontists who are constantly keeping up with new technologies and going to seminars are devoted to doing the best job possible at all times.

Other people may see "good" "bad" as being chairside manner too. I have to say that was a big part in picking an orthodontist, being able to voice concerns or problems to them.

[vincent168]

I understand what you mean, but with all things aside, just regarding final results, would you suppose there is much of a difference between a good and bad ortho?

[Gatsby]

[quote="bmueller"]My orthodontist as a kid applied the wrong treatment to my teeth and ended up doing more harm than good to my jaws and teeth. As an adult I ended up having braces again and jaw surgery to correct the problems because they couldn't be corrected by braces alone since I stopped growing.

When looking for a "good" vs. "bad" orthodontist, I would say, stay away from regular dentists who are willing to do braces. They don't have the additional years of training that a certified orthodontist has. I would also avoid new orthodontists and ones that don't keep up with new technology. In DC, they list doctors and dentists who have been rated highly by their peers. I picked an orthodontist off that list because I knew they came highly recommended. Since I began treatment, they have already adopted a bunch of new technologies including enamel repair after braces, techniques to reduce treatment time, and newer types of braces. I think that orthodontists who are constantly keeping up with new technologies and going to seminars are devoted to doing the best job possible at all times.

Other people may see "good" "bad" as being chairside manner too. I have to say that was a big part in picking an orthodontist, being able to voice concerns or problems to them.[/quote]

Hello- I think this is a good spot for my first post. I'm in the process of searching for an orthodontist (and possibly an orthognathic surgeon) for a number of issues (facial asymmetry, gaps in teeth, etc.), but don't know exactly what to look for, or where to start. For issues with the chin and facial asymmetry, is it standard to undergo orthodontic treatment first and then possibly surgery, or is the reverse true?

Jay

[djspeece]

Jay, You might want to let the board know your general geographical location (e.g., DC) and perhaps the board members could offer recommendations.

[sirwired]

Well, there's the classic joke:
Q: "What do they call the person that graduates at the bottom of their class in medical school?"
A: "Doctor"

While orthodontists in general have to be above-average dentists in order to be accepted into an ortho program, that doesn't mean that all orthodontists have the same quality of skills. (And before you start wondering about your General Dentist's skills, just because they didn't specialize doesn't mean they were below-average dental students... they could have foregone specialty practice for any number of reasons.)

[bmueller]

I guess I should also add that different orthos have different tools and treatment plans.

You may go to three different consultations and get three different treatment plans. Sometimes it's a matter of people's preferences. Surgery vs. extractions, clear vs. metal braces. I think some people (myself included) come in to treatment demanding one type of treatment or another, but then may be disappointed when it doesn't work out as well as expected.

I've heard many people insist upon invisalign, but truthfully it may not be able to fix all their problems.

Again, I would pick an orthodontist who has received awards, graduated from a good university and belongs to professional societies. And preferably someone who keeps up with new technologies.

[vincent168]

Cool, so different orthodontists whether 'good' or 'bad' pretty much just have different ways to approach things?
I guess its logical to say an ortho that insists on extraction while another managed to avoid extractions.
But say if 2 orthos did not require extractions, would you say the end result would vary at all?

[fosterp]

You will probably see the most common complaint from people about their orthos on this board is that their expectations are not being met, and a communication breakdown.

A good dr will be able to see eye to eye with their patients on what they expect from treatment, and is capable of assessing what information patients would like to know and giving it to them.

[MrsCharisma]

But then, is that really "good" vs. "Bad"...

I remember when my daughter went into 6th grade and so many parents warned me to get her out of the "bad teacher's" class. Well...what was bad about her? She didn't coddle their kids. She was really no nonsense in her approach and wasn't all politically correct, kumbaya that most people seem to need these days.

We had NO problems with this teacher.

Some people label their ortho "bad" because they are comparing their treatment to someone else's (bad idea), or because they don't communicate well with their ortho (which it seems there are lots of people here that will gripe about their ortho's ways but haven't said anything to the doc directly).

I think "bad" is making mistakes, screwing up your treatment, etc.

[isthistaken]

But then, is that really "good" vs. "Bad"...

I remember when my daughter went into 6th grade and so many parents warned me to get her out of the "bad teacher's" class. Well...what was bad about her? She didn't coddle their kids. She was really no nonsense in her approach and wasn't all politically correct, kumbaya that most people seem to need these days.

We had NO problems with this teacher.

Some people label their ortho "bad" because they are comparing their treatment to someone else's (bad idea), or because they don't communicate well with their ortho (which it seems there are lots of people here that will gripe about their ortho's ways but haven't said anything to the doc directly).

I think "bad" is making mistakes, screwing up your treatment, etc.

You totally nailed it! Same thing happened to my husband in college. Everyone said avoid Prof. Soandso but it turned out he was an outstanding professor. On the other hand, I was warned about several professors who totally lived up to their bad reputations. We have a standing joke not to eat at any restaurants that are recommended to us here, though, as they are always awful. To each one's own! I totally agree, though, some people are impressed by qualities that are immaterial to me. I feel the same way about politicians. I only care about what they stand for, nothing else. I went with general reputation and background in choosing my ortho as well as recommendations from professionals (aka, my dentist and staff,) and he is also extremely personable, which is a plus.

[MrsCharisma]

You totally nailed it! Same thing happened to my husband in college. Everyone said avoid Prof. Soandso but it turned out he was an outstanding professor. On the other hand, I was warned about several professors who totally lived up to their bad reputations. We have a standing joke not to eat at any restaurants that are recommended to us here, though, as they are always awful. To each one's own! I totally agree, though, some people are impressed by qualities that are immaterial to me. I feel the same way about politicians. I only care about what they stand for, nothing else. I went with general reputation and background in choosing my ortho as well as recommendations from professionals (aka, my dentist and staff,) and he is also extremely personable, which is a plus.

Me too!!! My dentist is FABULOUS! He recommended this ortho...I saw 4 others for consults and the dentist recommendation along with how friendly he and his staff were sealed it for me. I have not been disappointed...Oooh, tomorrow is my 6 month braces anniversary!!

[mapleleafman888]

Very engaging post, I've had consultations with 2 orthos now--- the first guy was a brand new graduate ( this was his third week in business when I saw him) and he definately seemed to know what my issues were, I felt very comfortable talking to him. I had a look at his before and afters from his university training cases and was totally turned off by the results of his patients teeth. Not to mention the punctuality of the office was not good and being a new office I feel he totally tried to wax me with the price.

The second ortho I saw was a very experienced and well decorated ortho (USC grad who's been practicing orthodontics for 25 + years). He was very terrible with punctuality as he was 45 mins late seeing me. I saw a few of his patients in person and wow what a good job he did with their teeth! However when I was discussing my concerns with him it felt like he brushed me off as unknowing and as if it didn't really matter what I wanted done( he said to one of my concerns which was an obvious off center midline , "I don't see it, you must have a sharper eye than me"). This was the top thing on my list of what needs to be fixed. I think it would have been better for him to say "I will consult the x-rays etc." His price came in 2300 lower than the first ortho so I was happy about that. I booked the braces placement date for july 30th but called and cancelled the next day when I again had a look in the mirror and saw this issue. Still deciding whether or not to use his office at a later date as communication seems to be a problem.

I have a third consult coming up later this summer (all the orthos around here seem to take 2-3 weeks off around mid summer).