Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi there, I've been lurking for about a week now but finally had the chance to register. Well, I'm 21 and a student in Seattle and I just got braces for the first time this month on the 11th! I've always wanted braces but different issues and things came up throughout the years and never really got the chance to. Especially the cost issue since my parents have already been paying for my very expensive college tuition and didn't want to put added strain on them. Another being that my mom knows a person who had gotten braces but ended up with serious complications. But recently, there came a point where I could no longer be happy nor be okay with the way I looked when I opened my mouth, no matter how I might've looked from the outside with my mouth closed. So, I talked to my parents about braces after a recent dentist appointment where several of the staff mentioned once again how I should look into braces and my parents told me they had no problems with it and that I should get it done if it was something I really wanted. *thank you parents!!* Although I still feel bad about springing the extra expenses on them, I am so grateful and already feel so much better.

So, that's where my journey began. After having my dad look up an orthodontist in my area that was under our insurance, I got an appointment with one in the next town. I really lucked out because I met an amazing doctor there who was very friendly and easy to talk to, with staff just as nice as her. But most importantly, she has over 6 years of experience working as an orthodontist, a dentist for longer and credentials that any one would die to have (Harvard, MIT, and the list goes on....but she's really young and super nice!!) Just by looking at her diplomas on the wall, my parents were pretty much in awe, shock, and gave a reaction that was something like "We better go with her because we aren't going to find anyone better who's also a really nice person". Yep, so basically I only went to one doctor and pretty much made the decision on the spot about getting treatment from her, although she did say that if I changed my mind after the records were done, I didn't have to commit to anything, which is a nice option to have for patients.

Here is the breakdown of the costs and procedures associated with my ortho work:

I was told I need to extract 4 teeth (yikes!!) two behind the canines and two on the bottom, the ones next to my front 6 (sorry, I'm still learning the lingo) which would obviously be billed separately. Waiting on the estimates by mail as I type.

I have lots of crowding and I think some bite issues but didn't retain the specifics from my initial consult.

So, I was told that my treatment time would be from 24-30 months with a price tag of $5,595 with everything included.

The records were $295 but had a little deduction.

My top front 6 are clear brackets, an extra $200. (I really really wanted clear on both top and bottom with me being in college and all, but was told she won't do bottoms since it will damage your teeth in a lot of different ways. Plus the fact that it will wear out more because you put the most amount of force on the bottoms, metals are obviously stronger. So, I guess it makes sense and I'm just following my awesome doctor's word and going with clear on top only.)

With my insurance kicking in at $1,500 and a 5% discount since it was paid in full.

Which comes to around $4,100. Is that a good price by the way?? (Any input is appreciated )

As of now, I have my top ones already put in on April 11th with the exception of the two teeth I'm going get extracted.
I have an appointment at my dentist to extract the 4 teeth on April 23rd and an appointment with my ortho on April 30th to
get my bottoms put in and my top ones to connect together with one wire in stead of three like it is now.

Thanks for reading my looooong post, hope to chat with you guys soon!

Hey Laala,
congrats on starting your journey. I am 21 years old as well, and I have had my braces on for about 7 !'2 months(well my tops, I just got bottoms on 2 weeks ago) Ceramic on top and metal on the bottoms just like you. Your bottom teeth barley show, so no need to pay the extra $200.00 anyway. I had an extraction on the bottom as well, its painful for like the first 2 days, tak some ibuprofen and you'll be just fine, bus as Karen said, salt water rinses help tremendously, mine healed in a week. Sounds to me like you got great ortho, congrats, its so nice to feel comfortable with who your going to. I know I love mine as well, I have seen alot of his patients, so I know ill get a great result. Well goodluck with everything, Im so glad im not the only 21 year old here, being our age, it was really hard to make such a decision, but the end is all worth it, if you ever wanna chat sometime, message me somtime, k. Again Goodluck!

Thanks everyone for their warm welcome.

KK ~ Thanks for clearing up the bit about the clear and metal brackets. I guess I misunderstood my ortho at the initial consult. Also thanks for the many tips! I'll definately try those after I get my extractions done next Monday.

jamie315 ~ Yay, a fellow 21 year old! That's great you're already 7 months in your treatment, how long is your estimated length of time to complete it? Your extractions hurt?? I'm now a little worried...since I'm having all 4 taken out at once! Yeek! I'll try using the salt water rinses like how you and KK mentioned.

Meryaten ~ A fellow coffee addict like the majority of us here in Seattle? (I'm worried I'll stain the little things next to my clear brackets because of my addiction to coffe ) There are more of us Washingtonians here?? Anyway to tell which ones are from around here?

And, yes, I am completely grateful for having such wonderful parents. I'm not one of those idiots who take everything for granted like most people my age do. Also the really annoying part for me is that, it seems like my bottoms show more than my tops. Boooo.