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Thanks so much guys, these comments are definately put my mind at ease.
I figure if I go to this initial consult I'll at least know what it's like so I'm not so scared next time, and if I don't like the sounds of the treatment/price/practice etc I will just go for another consult with a few others I have up my sleeve, there's no point committing if I don't feel comfortable right?
I'm in Armidale and my Ortho- Dr Lewis- is based in Sydney but flies up here monthly I think. I was really impressed with him at the consult and he was a big factor in my decision to go ahead.
The consult was $85 and the total treatment fee is $4230.00. (Down from $6000 my ortho told me, not sure why, but hey I'm not complaining!) They are very flexible with payment, and right now I am talking to the health fund, my parents (they are thinking a tax rebate might be in order so I'm waiting to hear what their accountant says) and the ortho to figure out the best payment plan.
I'm having metal uppers and lowers, and very happy with that. For some strange reason, ceramic braces just make me feel ill- maybe my friends with ceramics didn't do a good job of cleaning their braces after lunch? I don't know- but I want metal!
GOOD LUCK with your appointment. Before mine I felt silly and embarrassed but I walked out of the surgery feeling so positive and excited about deciding to go for it! Can't wait to hear how you go.
Cheers!
Banded 22 June 2006.
Debanded 24 July 2007.
Loving it!
I'm so sorry I didn't get back to you guys about my consultation, but here I am now and I'm going to make up for it.
So I go to my appointment, and it was a little scary there were two other people in the waiting room, waiting to finalise their bills etc, and then I was called in, from here it all went so quickly, but very smoothly and professionally.
I sat down and spoke to Dr. Wasilewsky and he explained how braces work, what they look like and gave me a pamphlet and spoke a little more about why I want them and what I want to get out of having them.
I then sat in the dreaded dentist chair so he could have a look at my mouth. He said my problems aren't too big at all, My left incisor is pushed back between my canine and the next tooth (i didn't get specifics) and my bite isn't too bad (I do have a little bit of decay on my canine and on the back of my front teeth but I'm getting that fixed up at my local dentist before anymore treatment) he said i would need braces on both upper and lower and said I should only need them for 18 months as my case is very easy to fix.
He asked if I'd like to have a think about it or proceed with treatment and get records. I felt pleased with what he'd told me and just due to the cost and convenience of where he's located I went through with the records and got my moulds/photographs and x-rays done. I go in on August 2nd for my Spacers (as you can see in my signature) and then on August 9th for the braces.
I'm a little scared and hope I've done the right thing, the pricing plan they gave me was an estimate, (I will get an invoice in the mail and speak about it next time I go in) but it's something like this:
Overall cost = $6575, Initial Payment = $3075, Progress Payments = $700 x 5 (I'm guessing spaces over the period of time I have them) & for Ceramics on top it's an extra $672.
I guess it all seems a bit scary because it happened so quickly... Is it usual to wait over a month until you get your braces on (I understand he is quite busy) I just hope I don't have to wait long periods to get checked up and tightened, and when you guys go for checkups/tightening does the main orthodontist see you everytime? does it matter if his assistant does it?. I really should have thought about it, but I'd waited so long to get the consultation I thought I might as well get records. Oh god I hope I didn't make a bad decision! please tell me I didn't.... Sorry for the rambling
Thanks linda and karen, it's put my mind at ease a little. I'm going to be very jittery by the time those August dates roll around but I'm just going to stick it in my diary and wait until it pops around, trying all the while not to think too much about it.
I'm going to start a section in the "braces stories" thread so that everyone can see how I'm doing, I'll also get some pictures up and running a bit sooner to when I get the actual braces on, so you can see how cool they look ...
After having a chat with my partner and friends I realise I've made a great decision, and I still do have that exciting butterfly feeling in my tummy (I know that won't last for long, especially once I get those suckers on) Thanks again ladies, it's been inspiring reading your own stories, thanks so much for all your help on mine
haha thanks ironyengine, I think the blender will become my new friend. Also my boss said he'd bring in some of his new born baby's tinned food for me to have! haha! can't wait.
Hi Chantel, good on you for making the big decision.
Your pricing plan sounds similar to what I was given for the option of your choice.
I waited 7 weeks from the time I signed up to the time I got the braces. Intervals between appointments have varied from 6-8 weeks thus far, and are dictated by progress of treatment and what needs to be done next.
My ortho decides what gets done and does all the work on my lingual braces. Sometimes he does work on the lowers as well, but might also instruct other orthos or techos in the practice to work on them. They have been very good. He has the last word on everything, though.
I'll be thinking of you on 2 August, because that is my birthday. So it should be a good day for you! Most of us had the dreaded butterflies beforehand, so you're not alone there.
