Devushka wrote:
I cannot believe yours is that expensive! My goodness. You said you didn't get a second opinion?
Devushka
No, didn't get a 2nd opinion. Locally, I figured it was all the same (small market). But I probably should have gone to Michigan, given the Canadian $. When I was a teen, I had my ortho work done in MI, and, for crying out loud, I have my *hair* done in Michigan!
As I said, the total may be modified. I think that was the quote for U & L....However, my ortho is a really great guy. We had a few misunderstandings about the course of my treatment, but I really like him. Very kind and understanding...Ha! Maybe I'm paying for a great personality???
Your doc sends your impressions, photos & xrays to be reviewed in Santa Clara, CA. If deemed appropriate for treatment & what your doc sent was complete, an order is created & your impressions are scanned to create a 3D representation.
That data file is sent to San Jose, Costa Rica where a treatment plan Rx is created. That plan is sent back to your doc for review using the ClinCheck software. Once he approves it (this may take some back & forth between them & hopefully you will be able to approve the final ClinCheck first) the Rx plan is sent back to CA where a set of molds is made.
These molds are shipped to Juarez, Mexico where the actual aligner trays are made in a manual process - one from each mold. Finally, the complete aligner set is sent back to your doc's office. You can read in detail what happens here:
First, I see your point, Meryaten, about how delays could occur (easily!) at the dentist's office. I have mentioned how expensive my liners are, but having said that, the office runs like clockwork and, honestly, *every* staff member, from the receptionist to the technicians to the orthodontist, are so pleasant, professional, and efficient. I sense that the 2 orthos who run the place are really adamant about customer service, and insist upon perfection, so if, as Meryaten suggests, the process can be affected by the staff, then I'm glad for that.
However, as I mentioned earlier, Karen, I can't believe there is a "hold up" at customs. A lot of people in Canada (and elsewhere) wear Invisalign, and I cannot imagine this is a problem. I agree with Meryaten that you need to point-blank ask your dentist for an exact timeline. It's difficult to feel that you're being confrontational, since this person is responsible for ensuring your future dental treatment, but I think if you just kindly explain that your frustrated and anxious, s/he might be a little more forthright about exactly what's happened/ing. I mean, it's possible that someone in the office misplace or mishandled your files, etc., and they're just stalling rather than causing a ruckus, or something like that....
I'm curious to see if your trays came yet. As I mentioned, I'm in Ontario. We made some treatment changes, so my ortho emailed me today and said, with my approval, they're ordering a brand new set of aligners.
I have an appt in 3 weeks, and unless there is a delay, they should be there. Any progress for you?
Thank you to everyone for your advice and information. My refiners FINALLY came in last week and they are on my teeth now after almost 4 months of waiting!! My dentist said they were held up at the border and that I "could blame my federal goverment" for the delay. I have been so annoyed at the entire situation and felt that I have already complained to the dentist so many times, that I don't really care what the "real" reason for the delay was because at least they are finally here!! My refiners I think are 6 bottom and 11 top. If we have to send away again for more, I will definitely be much more direct and pushy about getting an exact timeline, but hopefully this will be it!
