was anyone originally told invisalign was not an option?
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was anyone originally told invisalign was not an option?
I never expected an ortho would give me invisalign as an option. I had a 4th consultation today which greatly differred from the other 3. I was pretty much ready to get 4 teeth pulled and get lingual braces for 2.5- 3 years at the cost of $14,000 (yes i know its a little crazy) but thought, let me just squeeze in one more consultation before my records appointment with this other ortho. So now this ortho tells me that he doesn't need to pull any teeth out and that he would give me a quad-helix expander for 6 months and then follow that with 1.5 years of invisalign. At first i thought i didn't hear him right. He said that once i get the expansion that my case in actually a very simple one. He seemed very confident it would get the job done. Has anyone here had a similar experience? Does invisalign seem to be working for you? Do you think this guy is just telling me what i want to hear? By the way, it would be less than half the cost of the other ortho. This is all so confusing... please help.
Do the other 3 orthos all suggest a similar treatment plan to eachother? If so, I would be hesitant to use the one that is offering a very different solution.
Has this ortho done similar work to what he plans for you? I'd like to see before/during/after photographs.
1.5 years is a long time in Invisalign, which suggests it isn't a simple case. Is this ortho experienced with complex Invisalign cases? Remember that it doesn't do several things as well as fixed braces - is he planning to try to achieve things that Invisalign is known to struggle with?
It is also odd that he is quoting 1.5 years versus 2.5-3 in fixed braces (which typically act faster). Does this mean that certain issues that would be addressed by fixed braces, he isn't planning to touch? (Or is it as a result of the palate expander?).
I think I'm coming back to ...
Has this ortho done similar work to what he plans for you? I'd like to see before/during/after photographs.
Has this ortho done similar work to what he plans for you? I'd like to see before/during/after photographs.
1.5 years is a long time in Invisalign, which suggests it isn't a simple case. Is this ortho experienced with complex Invisalign cases? Remember that it doesn't do several things as well as fixed braces - is he planning to try to achieve things that Invisalign is known to struggle with?
It is also odd that he is quoting 1.5 years versus 2.5-3 in fixed braces (which typically act faster). Does this mean that certain issues that would be addressed by fixed braces, he isn't planning to touch? (Or is it as a result of the palate expander?).
I think I'm coming back to ...
Has this ortho done similar work to what he plans for you? I'd like to see before/during/after photographs.
Initial set: 31 upper / 17 lower
1st refinement: 14 upper / 10 lower
2nd refinement: 10 upper / 5 lower
1st refinement: 14 upper / 10 lower
2nd refinement: 10 upper / 5 lower
I just started Invisalign treatment and have a somewhat complex case. My orthodontist preferred Invisalign to regular braces since I had root resorption from a previous treatment and could better manage tooth movement. However, it is understood that I may need to finish in regular braces if he cannot get the needed results to correct a severe deep bite.
In my case, my arches are relatively straight with some minor crowding since I had worn braces before.
You may ask your Invisalign ortho are there fallback options if you don't fully get satisfaction and is the additional treatment included in the price. I also agree with the previous post that you should ask about experience. It also won't hurt to ask about dental degrees. My new ortho has an advanced degree in Orthodontics and is working with an experienced orthodontist that treated both of my kids.
In my case, my arches are relatively straight with some minor crowding since I had worn braces before.
You may ask your Invisalign ortho are there fallback options if you don't fully get satisfaction and is the additional treatment included in the price. I also agree with the previous post that you should ask about experience. It also won't hurt to ask about dental degrees. My new ortho has an advanced degree in Orthodontics and is working with an experienced orthodontist that treated both of my kids.
I did think of one more question to ask during an orthodontic consultation:
To avoid being a repeat customer, ask what long term recommendations and follow-up are needed to keep your teeth in place after treatment, and how much is included in your contract. Adult teeth can move around at any age!! Also, treatment procedures change over time with new information, so long term recommendations in the future may be very different from what would be recommended today. A good follow-up plan will hopefully catch this!!
To avoid being a repeat customer, ask what long term recommendations and follow-up are needed to keep your teeth in place after treatment, and how much is included in your contract. Adult teeth can move around at any age!! Also, treatment procedures change over time with new information, so long term recommendations in the future may be very different from what would be recommended today. A good follow-up plan will hopefully catch this!!
Meryaten, I strongly agree with your advice!! Unfortunately, I have had the personal experience to back up what you are saying.
I last had braces in the '80s and was told that once treatment was finished and retained for a period that my teeth would remain aligned. I have inadvertently done the "Mythbusters" experiment proving adult teeth do move - hopefully others won't have to. So far, 1 Invisalign tray down and 20 to go to clean up the mess.
Also, don't count on your regular dentist to spot a developing ortho problem. I've had regular 6 month checkups for my adult life with few problems. However, I started going to my wife's dentist a short time after my ortho treatment was complete and didn't provide previous history. At that point in time, dentists were of the opinion that dental history could be documented with a set of X-rays.
When my recent problem had progressed to the point I was having gum pain, I went in to get it checked. My dentist started treating it as a gum irritation. I realized he didn't have my full history and wrote up what had happened with my previous ortho treatments. Point #2, if you've had ortho treatment, document it and have it on your dental records whether your dentist asks for it or not!!! This will at least provide a point of discussion if problems appear later.
At this point, I need to say something positive - I still have my 28 teeth (4 wisdom teeth were impacted and removed) and so far have had only an occasional filling. If I had not had my previous ortho treatment, I would have probably lost most of my front teeth due to gum damage.
I last had braces in the '80s and was told that once treatment was finished and retained for a period that my teeth would remain aligned. I have inadvertently done the "Mythbusters" experiment proving adult teeth do move - hopefully others won't have to. So far, 1 Invisalign tray down and 20 to go to clean up the mess.
Also, don't count on your regular dentist to spot a developing ortho problem. I've had regular 6 month checkups for my adult life with few problems. However, I started going to my wife's dentist a short time after my ortho treatment was complete and didn't provide previous history. At that point in time, dentists were of the opinion that dental history could be documented with a set of X-rays.
When my recent problem had progressed to the point I was having gum pain, I went in to get it checked. My dentist started treating it as a gum irritation. I realized he didn't have my full history and wrote up what had happened with my previous ortho treatments. Point #2, if you've had ortho treatment, document it and have it on your dental records whether your dentist asks for it or not!!! This will at least provide a point of discussion if problems appear later.
At this point, I need to say something positive - I still have my 28 teeth (4 wisdom teeth were impacted and removed) and so far have had only an occasional filling. If I had not had my previous ortho treatment, I would have probably lost most of my front teeth due to gum damage.
Well this 4th ortho really threw me a curve ball didn't he. I was thinking that this appointment would just reassure my decision to go with ortho #1.
Just to summerize my other consultations:
#1. Would pull 4 bicuspids and would use fixed braces. Treatment would be 2.5 years. Length of time was due to extraction gaps. Said surgery would be an option if i did not want teeth removed because the expander does not work once someone has stopped growing. (Although from reading this board, it seems many adults have used one with success without surgury...even if it is just dental movement and not actual palette expansion.) Cost: $13,800(ibraces)
#2.Possibility of 4 extractions or expander... said he wouldn't know for sure unless we did the records. This was a very vague consult. Told me invisalign was not an option but would do lingual. Cost: $10,000 Time: 2 years
#3. Hated this place. Staff was not friendly. Ortho seemed rush and charged $80 for a very very vague consultation. Said extractions were possible,maybe just braces alone. Said he didn't know until he saw a mold of my teeth. Mentioned he might be able to do it with invisalign if i wanted... left the room before i could ask more questions. the so- called treatment co-ordinator strayed me away from linguals even though they claim to do them... told me they were too expensive $14000 and i wouldn't want them (how rude!). Cost: around 8000 for regular ceramic did not give me estimate on invisalign. And didn't write anything down!
#4. Ortho is a premier provider in invisalign also does linguals. Said he mostly uses invisalign and can do almost any case with it. Would use a quad-helix for six months possibly less to widen top arch. Said he may have to attach a tiny ceramic "button" to canine to bring it a bit more into alignment with an elastic (for night wear only) in prepartion for invisalign. Would use invisalign for 1.5 years. My major concern is my canine tooth that sticks way out (think Jewel, the singer) He said invisalign would work because its not that the canine is high up, its tipped outward and invisalign is good for tipping teeth inward and there would be enough room to do that after the quad helix and some IPR on the back teeth. He did talk a lot about retention, would use upper and lower bonded retainers and a removable one for top which i would wear at night for pretty much life. Price included 2 years of follow up after treatment. Said the only limitation he might have is with 2 middle lower front teeth. He may have to attach 2 brackets to the back of them after invisalign for a couple of months to straighten the roots. I thought this was strange because the bottom does not look nearly as bad as the top teeth.
Just to summerize my other consultations:
#1. Would pull 4 bicuspids and would use fixed braces. Treatment would be 2.5 years. Length of time was due to extraction gaps. Said surgery would be an option if i did not want teeth removed because the expander does not work once someone has stopped growing. (Although from reading this board, it seems many adults have used one with success without surgury...even if it is just dental movement and not actual palette expansion.) Cost: $13,800(ibraces)
#2.Possibility of 4 extractions or expander... said he wouldn't know for sure unless we did the records. This was a very vague consult. Told me invisalign was not an option but would do lingual. Cost: $10,000 Time: 2 years
#3. Hated this place. Staff was not friendly. Ortho seemed rush and charged $80 for a very very vague consultation. Said extractions were possible,maybe just braces alone. Said he didn't know until he saw a mold of my teeth. Mentioned he might be able to do it with invisalign if i wanted... left the room before i could ask more questions. the so- called treatment co-ordinator strayed me away from linguals even though they claim to do them... told me they were too expensive $14000 and i wouldn't want them (how rude!). Cost: around 8000 for regular ceramic did not give me estimate on invisalign. And didn't write anything down!
#4. Ortho is a premier provider in invisalign also does linguals. Said he mostly uses invisalign and can do almost any case with it. Would use a quad-helix for six months possibly less to widen top arch. Said he may have to attach a tiny ceramic "button" to canine to bring it a bit more into alignment with an elastic (for night wear only) in prepartion for invisalign. Would use invisalign for 1.5 years. My major concern is my canine tooth that sticks way out (think Jewel, the singer) He said invisalign would work because its not that the canine is high up, its tipped outward and invisalign is good for tipping teeth inward and there would be enough room to do that after the quad helix and some IPR on the back teeth. He did talk a lot about retention, would use upper and lower bonded retainers and a removable one for top which i would wear at night for pretty much life. Price included 2 years of follow up after treatment. Said the only limitation he might have is with 2 middle lower front teeth. He may have to attach 2 brackets to the back of them after invisalign for a couple of months to straighten the roots. I thought this was strange because the bottom does not look nearly as bad as the top teeth.
Junkee,
It looks like Ortho #4 has the credentials (Premier Provider) and is able to use Invisalign with a combination of treatments to get results. The movement of the roots of your lower teeth shows attention to detail as well. This is important in a complex case.
Regarding Ortho #1, I would be concerned any time tooth extraction is suggested. FYI, I wore a removable expander during my last treatment, which was in my mid 30's and it seemed to work without problems. If only long term retention had been addressed (this was late 1980's) I probably wouldn't have had any further problems.
Also looks like you have the long term follow-up taken care of.
Good luck with your decision!!!
It looks like Ortho #4 has the credentials (Premier Provider) and is able to use Invisalign with a combination of treatments to get results. The movement of the roots of your lower teeth shows attention to detail as well. This is important in a complex case.
Regarding Ortho #1, I would be concerned any time tooth extraction is suggested. FYI, I wore a removable expander during my last treatment, which was in my mid 30's and it seemed to work without problems. If only long term retention had been addressed (this was late 1980's) I probably wouldn't have had any further problems.
Also looks like you have the long term follow-up taken care of.
Good luck with your decision!!!
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myhollywoodsmile
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Hi there,
I actually saw about five orthodontists before I found one that would treat me. Fortunately the one that I chose is VERY experienced, a platinum provider, and now runs an Invisalign only practice.
Some orthodontists aren't experienced enough to take on more complicated cases, others are.
You are welcome to check out my blog to read all about what each orthodontists opinion was. They varied massively.
You need to feel comfortable with whoever you choose, as long as the orthodontist who is willing to treat you is someone you are comfortable with, I would go ahead.
I actually saw about five orthodontists before I found one that would treat me. Fortunately the one that I chose is VERY experienced, a platinum provider, and now runs an Invisalign only practice.
Some orthodontists aren't experienced enough to take on more complicated cases, others are.
You are welcome to check out my blog to read all about what each orthodontists opinion was. They varied massively.
You need to feel comfortable with whoever you choose, as long as the orthodontist who is willing to treat you is someone you are comfortable with, I would go ahead.