Hi I am new to this board. Have had a a look around and it's great to read soo many stories.
I have needed to get braces for years and for the last 12 months it has been on my mind. Now at the age of 27 and a half I have FINALLY visited an orthodontist and had my consultations.
He discussed my treatment would be for 18 to 24months with ceramic on top and metal on the bottom. At this stage I only need my wisdom teeth taken out - but was advised it can be done before, during or after treatment.
The only thing left to do now is book the actual date to get them on. And this is where I just can't seem to decide the best date. Or actually commit to get the treatment done. Arrgggghhh....
Also he was highly recommended by my dentist and he is near my work and home. Have any of you gone with the first referral or opted to have at least a second opinion? I felt at ease etc at the practice and his treatment seemds reasonable. Would I be foolish to go with the first referral?
Procrastination
Moderator: bbsadmin
Well congrats on taking the first step by getting a consultation 
I wouldn't say you'd be "foolish" to go with the first one if you really liked the ortho, staff, price, and treatment plan, etc. It's always good to get a second or even third opinion just to shop around. You never know, maybe the next ortho will be even more to your liking... but it is really all about feeling comfortable. I know I got a bunch of opinions bc they kept telling me I'd need extractions and I had never considered that I'd need anything of the sort. Also I was shopping around for prices and to see what kind of hours the office held. The one ortho I saw was only in like 2 days a week at most and they assured me there would be no problems with scheduling or anything but I didn't believe them. I didn't feel comfortable with that bc I like a little more flexibility when scheduling appointments and I wanted to make sure I wouldn't be rushed and squeezed in all the time.
But with everything you said about this consult, it seemed to go well. Treatment seems very reasonable, highly recommended by your dentist, close drive, and feeling at ease are all really good so it's really up to you. My advice is once you do decide who to go with for treatment, get it done asap! I am nearing the end of treatment and I just keep thinking "if only I'd gotten them on a month earlier I could be done by now (or at least closer to done)".
You mentioned that you are having trouble committing to getting the treatment done at all - mine if I ask why?
I wouldn't say you'd be "foolish" to go with the first one if you really liked the ortho, staff, price, and treatment plan, etc. It's always good to get a second or even third opinion just to shop around. You never know, maybe the next ortho will be even more to your liking... but it is really all about feeling comfortable. I know I got a bunch of opinions bc they kept telling me I'd need extractions and I had never considered that I'd need anything of the sort. Also I was shopping around for prices and to see what kind of hours the office held. The one ortho I saw was only in like 2 days a week at most and they assured me there would be no problems with scheduling or anything but I didn't believe them. I didn't feel comfortable with that bc I like a little more flexibility when scheduling appointments and I wanted to make sure I wouldn't be rushed and squeezed in all the time.But with everything you said about this consult, it seemed to go well. Treatment seems very reasonable, highly recommended by your dentist, close drive, and feeling at ease are all really good so it's really up to you. My advice is once you do decide who to go with for treatment, get it done asap! I am nearing the end of treatment and I just keep thinking "if only I'd gotten them on a month earlier I could be done by now (or at least closer to done)".
You mentioned that you are having trouble committing to getting the treatment done at all - mine if I ask why?
I will take the YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE COME HERE YOU SHOULD GO TO THE COTTAGE DOROTHY! OH SUGAR BARBARA STANWYCK approach....just do it!!!!
I went with the ortho that was recommended by my dentist and never got a second opinion. (honestly, i didnt realize i should until after the commitment was done) thankfully, there has not been any problems.
I also, allowed everything to come in the way of getting braced. Down to getting new clothes and spending the money i had saved up. If you feel comfortable with the people and practice and the plan they have for you then go for it. I like most on here wish i had it done earlier
I went with the ortho that was recommended by my dentist and never got a second opinion. (honestly, i didnt realize i should until after the commitment was done) thankfully, there has not been any problems.
I also, allowed everything to come in the way of getting braced. Down to getting new clothes and spending the money i had saved up. If you feel comfortable with the people and practice and the plan they have for you then go for it. I like most on here wish i had it done earlier
I went with my first ortho, my little brother had used an orthodontist in the same office and I went online to their website and found the ortho with the most letters after his name and booked a consult I liked the ortho and the office immediately, the staff were very friendly and helpful, the ortho does all the work himself not his assistants and he really knew what he was talking about.
I think I liked his confidence the most, he looked at my mouth and said these are your problems, this is what we can do to fix them, he told me what I would need to do to help fix it and he told me the cost straight out. I liked going in knowing all the facts about costs, timeframe and extractions and his confidence made me feel at ease and happy to start my treatment immediately!
I liked the ortho and the office immediately, the staff were very friendly and helpful, the ortho does all the work himself not his assistants and he really knew what he was talking about. I think I liked his confidence the most, he looked at my mouth and said these are your problems, this is what we can do to fix them, he told me what I would need to do to help fix it and he told me the cost straight out. I liked going in knowing all the facts about costs, timeframe and extractions and his confidence made me feel at ease and happy to start my treatment immediately!
The dilemma regarding the referral - is that 2 of my friends who have almost finished treatment (as adults) have gone to one in a nearby suburb (well a further 10 min drive at least) and they are happy with him.
I advised my dentist this and he is aware of this ortho. He said "Yeh he's great, but it's become all about the marketing etc". I think what he meant was that he may have become a bit up himself. Then he referred me to this one and said you will find him just as good etc. My thoughts now are - does he get any referral fees that he might be wanting? Maybe that's a bit cynical
The other thing I am worried now - since I have left it last minute, by the time I get around to having another appointment etc, more time will have passed.
Ahh decisions decisions....
Andromeda:
sdawdy:
I advised my dentist this and he is aware of this ortho. He said "Yeh he's great, but it's become all about the marketing etc". I think what he meant was that he may have become a bit up himself. Then he referred me to this one and said you will find him just as good etc. My thoughts now are - does he get any referral fees that he might be wanting? Maybe that's a bit cynical
The other thing I am worried now - since I have left it last minute, by the time I get around to having another appointment etc, more time will have passed.
Ahh decisions decisions....
Andromeda:
I think it's just about actually getting past the first step. I definitely need them done as I have clot of crowding at the front bottom and slight overbite.You mentioned that you are having trouble committing to getting the treatment done at all - mine if I ask why?
sdawdy:
I have enought money to pay for it all up front. My other dilemma would be, do i pay upfront and maybe save a few $$ or just pay it as per their payment plan (no interest, etc). I just feel like the minute I use up all my money, I will need it for something. Plus i may need a portion ofof the money for the wisdom teeth when they come out. As i may need to pay for going under general anesthetic, etc.I also, allowed everything to come in the way of getting braced. Down to getting new clothes and spending the money i had saved up.
I would never have thought to ask about that.the ortho does all the work himself not his assistants
He told me in the initial appointment the approximate: cost, time frame, and regarding no extractions. His final report have the same thing. So hopefully he knew from word go, or he didnt give it a second thoughtI liked going in knowing all the facts about costs, timeframe and extractions and his confidence made me feel at ease and happy to start my treatment immediately!
Whoever you end up going with just make sure that you are comfortable with the treatment plan and the people in the office. You're going to be spending a lot of time with them and your teeth are going to move in ways that will require that you trust that they know what they are doing because at some point you may look at your teeth and see that they appear to be getting worse, not better. Believing in the treatment plan and in them will help get you through those times.
I only had one consultation with my son's orthodiontist even though there were two others in town nearby. I liked the treatment plan--no extractions--and my son's teeth were starting to look really good. The people in the office made me feel comfortable so I didn't bother shopping around. They offered a 5% discount for paying up front but I went with the payment plan because it was offered at 0% interest. The hardest part is making the decision to go forward. Good luck with whatever you decide.
I only had one consultation with my son's orthodiontist even though there were two others in town nearby. I liked the treatment plan--no extractions--and my son's teeth were starting to look really good. The people in the office made me feel comfortable so I didn't bother shopping around. They offered a 5% discount for paying up front but I went with the payment plan because it was offered at 0% interest. The hardest part is making the decision to go forward. Good luck with whatever you decide.
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JenMarie286
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I totally agree about being comfortable with the office staff and your treatment plan. I haven't started treatment yet, but I couldn't imagine going there for 18 months and being uncomfortable everytime, especially after some of the stories I've heard on here.
I also understand about taking the plunge--I had my first consult about 2 and a half years ago. I worried about what people would think and how it would make me feel so much that I put it off for that long. The funny thing is that once I decided to actually go through with it, the apprehension about my upcoming brace day has turned into excitement.
And about the payment plan thing, I read somewhere on one of these forums (I have no idea where) that you should do a payment plan and not pay it all up front just because an ortho might close or move and not give your money back.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do and let us know how it goes!
I also understand about taking the plunge--I had my first consult about 2 and a half years ago. I worried about what people would think and how it would make me feel so much that I put it off for that long. The funny thing is that once I decided to actually go through with it, the apprehension about my upcoming brace day has turned into excitement.
And about the payment plan thing, I read somewhere on one of these forums (I have no idea where) that you should do a payment plan and not pay it all up front just because an ortho might close or move and not give your money back.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do and let us know how it goes!
Thanks for your replies acd and JenMarie285.
I am feeling confident to go with this orthodontist. I am just waiting on a response from a friend who has started treatment there with her daughter. Wanted to see how she felt so far.
Having said that, I think i am 99% close to booking the appointment to have my braces put on. Given that March will be hectic at work and socially, have decided will most likely make the appointment for early April.
At this stage, I am going to go payment plan - in the event somethine happens in the future. That way it will be abit more flexible.
As for my wisdom teeth, will see dentist on Tuesday for his opinion.
I am feeling confident to go with this orthodontist. I am just waiting on a response from a friend who has started treatment there with her daughter. Wanted to see how she felt so far.
Having said that, I think i am 99% close to booking the appointment to have my braces put on. Given that March will be hectic at work and socially, have decided will most likely make the appointment for early April.
At this stage, I am going to go payment plan - in the event somethine happens in the future. That way it will be abit more flexible.
As for my wisdom teeth, will see dentist on Tuesday for his opinion.
Good luck on your journey!! I used my daughters Ortho so I had known them for 3 years, they evaluated her at 7, brought her back when she turned 8 a year later and then when they took her braces off at age 10, I booked my consult! I was very impressed with the care they took of her and the orthodontist is extremely nice. His techs do most of the work though--LOL, he stops by during the appointment and tells them what to do in their little orthodontic language, and they do everything else. I had great results with my daughter, and the same girls are still there (lack of staff turnover says a LOT) and are doing great with me. I did pay all up front, my plan was either $5700 spread over time, or $4780 paid in full. Now that I have paid, I have no worries about owing any payments, and this is wonderful!! Enough bills to worry about!!! I still kind of am making payments though technically, as I got a big chunk from my husands medical spending account, so it gets taken from his pay weekly, pre-tax and all that. Because I don't see this it feels like it's already paid in full as we have adjusted to the lesser amount coming home...and it allowed me to still get the pay in full discount, on top of my family discount.
Anyway, that's my situation, there are some days where these braces drive me batty, but not once do I regret getting these babies on my teeth! I don't feel very cute right now, but one day I will be feeling better and my smile will be HUGE!!!!!!!!! No more close mouth smiles from me!!!!!!!
Anyway, that's my situation, there are some days where these braces drive me batty, but not once do I regret getting these babies on my teeth! I don't feel very cute right now, but one day I will be feeling better and my smile will be HUGE!!!!!!!!! No more close mouth smiles from me!!!!!!!
Thanks for your reply Candy - Alot of ppl say I will look cute..but I agree...at the start I won't feel like that...but I am getting around the idea more so now...I have even begun telling ppl...
My friend ended up advising me that her daughters have been seeing him for a few years and is happy with him. She also is going on a payment plan (even though she can afford it), so that it spreads out the payments and then she can feel that although tomorrow something may happen, she isnt fully paid up.
I am tempted to pay the full amount to save some moolah...But when I spoke with my dentist the other day, he advised one of my teeth that was on "watch" has developed a tiny hole...So he will do a filling as a preventative before braces....
Am going to see the Oral Surgeon later this month for my wisdom teeth as the bottom ones are half erupted. So that will cost me heaps going into hospital etc. Therefore the money I have saved up I will need to spread out over the next few weeks for these treatments and other bills...
Pending on when my Wisdom Teeth are removed, my tentative date for gettin braced will be late April. In a way I am busting to get them on...as I feel the sooner they come on, the sooner I get them off... but March is a bad month for me, and then i can get the wisdom teeth out before then.
My friend ended up advising me that her daughters have been seeing him for a few years and is happy with him. She also is going on a payment plan (even though she can afford it), so that it spreads out the payments and then she can feel that although tomorrow something may happen, she isnt fully paid up.
I am tempted to pay the full amount to save some moolah...But when I spoke with my dentist the other day, he advised one of my teeth that was on "watch" has developed a tiny hole...So he will do a filling as a preventative before braces....
Am going to see the Oral Surgeon later this month for my wisdom teeth as the bottom ones are half erupted. So that will cost me heaps going into hospital etc. Therefore the money I have saved up I will need to spread out over the next few weeks for these treatments and other bills...
Pending on when my Wisdom Teeth are removed, my tentative date for gettin braced will be late April. In a way I am busting to get them on...as I feel the sooner they come on, the sooner I get them off... but March is a bad month for me, and then i can get the wisdom teeth out before then.
