Can I request a change to metal (from ceramics)?
Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 12:15 pm
I'm a 40y/o female. I got my braces exactly 3 weeks ago today. When my new dentist recommended braces (to close gaps), I was extremely apprehensive. After the first 10 days of soreness & sensitivity, I've forgotten that the braces are there. My MAJOR complaint is that I was never warned about the staining that could occur (ceramics with clear ligs). I'm a coffee drinker, and even if I brush immediately after drinking a cup, my ligs look awful. The same with cranberry juice, orange juice, egg yolk, red wine, etc..... I've tried brushing (with Sonicare) using peroxide and baking soda, whitening toothpaste.......nothing helps.
I'm in sales and conduct presentations to clients as well as entertain them (lunch/dinner) quite frequently. Yesterday, I escorted 2 big clients to a pro-football game. I bit into a hotdog (with mustard) and pretty much refused to talk for the rest of the evening. I was mortified. I had separators inserted last week....the ligs were changed. Yes, I voiced my concerns then. But within a few days, they were stained & noticeably dingy. Colored ligs are not an option for me.
Tomorrow, the separators will be replaced with bands on the molars. Is it bad protocol...or am I allowed to ask the dentist if he can replace the ceramics with metals at this point? If so, is there an additional cost?
I'm certainly not a prima-donna or a whiner, but I'm much more embarrassed to smile now than I was before I got braces. I travel frequently for my job so visiting the dentist to get the ligs changed once a week (even if he allowed it) would create a challenge to my schedule. My dental doesn't cover adult braces, and to think that I've paid major $$$ out-of pocket and will have to endure another 12 months of this is not boding very well for me at all. The bottom line is that I'm not happy at all with the ceramics and welcome the metal. PLEASE ADVISE ASAP!!!!
I'm in sales and conduct presentations to clients as well as entertain them (lunch/dinner) quite frequently. Yesterday, I escorted 2 big clients to a pro-football game. I bit into a hotdog (with mustard) and pretty much refused to talk for the rest of the evening. I was mortified. I had separators inserted last week....the ligs were changed. Yes, I voiced my concerns then. But within a few days, they were stained & noticeably dingy. Colored ligs are not an option for me.
Tomorrow, the separators will be replaced with bands on the molars. Is it bad protocol...or am I allowed to ask the dentist if he can replace the ceramics with metals at this point? If so, is there an additional cost?
I'm certainly not a prima-donna or a whiner, but I'm much more embarrassed to smile now than I was before I got braces. I travel frequently for my job so visiting the dentist to get the ligs changed once a week (even if he allowed it) would create a challenge to my schedule. My dental doesn't cover adult braces, and to think that I've paid major $$$ out-of pocket and will have to endure another 12 months of this is not boding very well for me at all. The bottom line is that I'm not happy at all with the ceramics and welcome the metal. PLEASE ADVISE ASAP!!!!