Hi all, I have wanted braces forever, and finally made an apointment with an orthodontist for Wednesday. I wont get braces right away ( I think) cause I need to have some cavities filled first. Does anyone know about carecredit in Canada? I cant find an ortho that uses it in my city - Im in Edmonton.
I am looking forward to my consultation, and Im kinda worried about how much this is going to cost me, and how I will pay for it.
I have looked at a bunch of pictures on here and it makes me excited, to see how everyones teeth are changing, I can't wait till mine move too!!!
Snagglelady... Consult was today.
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Snagglelady
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 1:45 pm
Snagglelady... Consult was today.
Last edited by Snagglelady on Wed Oct 29, 2008 9:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
Hi Snagglelady 
Sorry I can't answer any of your questions, but I'm also just starting my journey ( I find out in 3 days the treatment plan and cost), so wanted to say hi and good on you!
I'm also a little worried about the cost - my fault as I just went and spent my savings on a 3 week holiday to Sufers Paradise for myself and my parents, but I'm prepared to find the money anywhere, as I'm completely commited to this, and really the benifits to me just eclipse the cost.
Good luck!
Sorry I can't answer any of your questions, but I'm also just starting my journey ( I find out in 3 days the treatment plan and cost), so wanted to say hi and good on you!
I'm also a little worried about the cost - my fault as I just went and spent my savings on a 3 week holiday to Sufers Paradise for myself and my parents, but I'm prepared to find the money anywhere, as I'm completely commited to this, and really the benifits to me just eclipse the cost.
Good luck!
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Snagglelady
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 1:45 pm
Thanks you guys! I know it will be worth it, and I will find a way to pay for it. This is something I have wanted for a very long time... I'm 29. I have been looking around the site for the last few days and I didn't find anyone who's teeth are as crooked and crowded as mine.
I havent been to my first ortho appt yet... not till Weds, But I know I have an overbite, and all four of my canine teeth are so far out of alignment they arent even in the arch! More like beside it. On the top my 2 front teeth are kind ofbucked, and the 2 next to them are tilted back into my mouth. With the canines it is a scary sight, I look like a freaking vampire! I have a bump on the roof of my mouth that my hygeinist says makes me thrust my tounge when swallowing. Overall my teeth are really jacked up. I have always been really embarrased about my teeth, and my smile and I can't wait to fix them. Not sure I will EVER post before pics, but I look forward to having an "after" pic!
I havent been to my first ortho appt yet... not till Weds, But I know I have an overbite, and all four of my canine teeth are so far out of alignment they arent even in the arch! More like beside it. On the top my 2 front teeth are kind ofbucked, and the 2 next to them are tilted back into my mouth. With the canines it is a scary sight, I look like a freaking vampire! I have a bump on the roof of my mouth that my hygeinist says makes me thrust my tounge when swallowing. Overall my teeth are really jacked up. I have always been really embarrased about my teeth, and my smile and I can't wait to fix them. Not sure I will EVER post before pics, but I look forward to having an "after" pic!
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Snagglelady
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 1:45 pm
Nervous about initial consult tomorrow!
My initial consult with the ortho is tomorrow morning, and I am starting to freak out. I dont know what to expect... and I am really embarrased about my teeth. I can be a big sissy when it comes to the dentist, it is the embarassment combined with a fear of pain. Can anyone tell me what to expect tomorrow? How long does the first appt usually take, and what will they do?
Hi Snagglelady,
Try not to get too nervous, nothing scary happens at the initial consultation. All the orthodontist will do is look at your teeth, and then give you an estimate of the treatment you will need (type of braces, length of treatment, etc.). They also tell you how much everything will cost...I guess that might be a little scary.
Then you will get a chance to ask the ortho any questions that you have about your teeth, the treatment plan, etc. You dont have to commit to anything at the first consultation, I had meetings with FIVE orthos before I picked one.
Please dont feel self conscious about your teeth, I am sure the orthodontist has seen much worse, and on a daily basis!
Try not to get too nervous, nothing scary happens at the initial consultation. All the orthodontist will do is look at your teeth, and then give you an estimate of the treatment you will need (type of braces, length of treatment, etc.). They also tell you how much everything will cost...I guess that might be a little scary.
Then you will get a chance to ask the ortho any questions that you have about your teeth, the treatment plan, etc. You dont have to commit to anything at the first consultation, I had meetings with FIVE orthos before I picked one.
Please dont feel self conscious about your teeth, I am sure the orthodontist has seen much worse, and on a daily basis!
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Snagglelady
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 1:45 pm
Oral surgery
Okay, I had my initial consult with an orthodontist this morning, and I am pretty bummed about it. 
Here is his game plan for my teeth, 3 years in braces, with upper jaw surgery part way through. I am okay with the 3 year sentence.... but surgery?! I am SUCH a baby, i don't know if I am going to go through with this. The thought of somebody literally breaking my jaw freaks me out like you can't imagine!
I had him write the name of the surgery down for me so I can google it, it is Leforte Osteotomy 1 and 2.... anybody have any experience with this surgery? What is it like? How bad does it hurt, and for how long?
Here is his game plan for my teeth, 3 years in braces, with upper jaw surgery part way through. I am okay with the 3 year sentence.... but surgery?! I am SUCH a baby, i don't know if I am going to go through with this. The thought of somebody literally breaking my jaw freaks me out like you can't imagine! I had him write the name of the surgery down for me so I can google it, it is Leforte Osteotomy 1 and 2.... anybody have any experience with this surgery? What is it like? How bad does it hurt, and for how long?
Hi Snagglelady,
I haven't had any surgery - I don't even have braces yet! But they're coming soon. I've had two consultations (including one today) and the first one never even mentioned surgery. The second one did mention lower jaw surgery as an option to help correct my overbite and - like you -it freaked me out I guess in my case it isn't absolutely necessary, but if it was, I think I'd go through with it. I know it sounds scary, but I really hope it doesn't make you change your mind about the whole thing.
Or, maybe you could go for a second consultation? I'm going for three. Maybe a different ortho would give you other options and tell you surgery isn't necessary after all?
In any case, good luck making your decision.
I haven't had any surgery - I don't even have braces yet! But they're coming soon. I've had two consultations (including one today) and the first one never even mentioned surgery. The second one did mention lower jaw surgery as an option to help correct my overbite and - like you -it freaked me out
I guess in my case it isn't absolutely necessary, but if it was, I think I'd go through with it. I know it sounds scary, but I really hope it doesn't make you change your mind about the whole thing. Or, maybe you could go for a second consultation? I'm going for three. Maybe a different ortho would give you other options and tell you surgery isn't necessary after all?
In any case, good luck making your decision.
Surgery scares the bejeevers out of me. With that said, surgery is the best option I have to eliminate some bite and TMJ issues. I would not go into surgery without understanding as well as possible both the expected benefits and the potential determents. Only then should you rule it out.
I'm not happy that I'm a surgical case. But I'm much happier with my smile now than I was before braces. I hope I'll be happy with the surgical outcome six months after the fact. AS I understand it, the surgery isn't what should concern you, it is the recovery period.
The decision to either undertake or forgo a surgical treatment plan should not be made so simply as to refuse it. I know I did and that has prolonged my treatment.
Good Luck!
Mike
I'm not happy that I'm a surgical case. But I'm much happier with my smile now than I was before braces. I hope I'll be happy with the surgical outcome six months after the fact. AS I understand it, the surgery isn't what should concern you, it is the recovery period.
The decision to either undertake or forgo a surgical treatment plan should not be made so simply as to refuse it. I know I did and that has prolonged my treatment.
Good Luck!
Mike
I wore braces (this time) for 1294 days or 3 years, 6 months and 17 days.
But who's counting?
Jaw Surgery June 1, 2009
Thanks for praying for me and thinking happy thoughts.
But who's counting?
Jaw Surgery June 1, 2009
Thanks for praying for me and thinking happy thoughts.
Why don't you try another Orthodonist, just to get a second opinion? If they corroborate the information from the first consult, then at least you'll know there's probably no other option and you'll be able make a decision from there.
I;m so sorry you're bummed out! I think if I'd been given the same diagnosis, I would be in exactly the same position. It really comes down to how important this is to you, or how much you want it.
Another thing worth thinking about though is telling the orthodontist that you dont want this surgery, only to have your teeth straighted as best is possible - at the end of the day it's your mouth, and you have to do what you're comfortable with.
Let us know how it goes!
I;m so sorry you're bummed out! I think if I'd been given the same diagnosis, I would be in exactly the same position. It really comes down to how important this is to you, or how much you want it.
Another thing worth thinking about though is telling the orthodontist that you dont want this surgery, only to have your teeth straighted as best is possible - at the end of the day it's your mouth, and you have to do what you're comfortable with.
Let us know how it goes!
Don't work yourself up too much about the surgery. In my opinion the lifelong effects of the surgery more then outweigh the long recovery. I have wanted braces and surgery ever since high school. I also had really crooked teeth (or at least on very noticable tooth) along with my lower jaw set WAY to far back and long for the day that I can touch my top and bottom teeth together and rub my tongue along my top teeth. (My tongue has never reached the front of my top teeth). I haven't had my surgery but am anxiously awaiting the day it is all over. Maybe you will feel a little better if you read my story. I really hope you don't turn down everything because you are scared of the surgery part!
Hi
I don't need surgery, but I had several consultations, and there seemed to be more than one way to fix my problem. Extractions required ranged, whether or not implants were need, as did treatment times and methods. So I would get more consultations, and even if they do suggest surgery maybe ask what can realistically be achieved without it.
The system I have generates and image of where my teeth will be after treatment, so I guess if there were compromises if you went without surgery at least you would know how it would look after treatment. This really helped me, as I went with the treatment plan with least extractions and no implants, which was a compromise but one I am happy with.
Even if you go with a treatment that is a compromise, I am sure you will be so much happier with your teeth after treatment than before, so whatever you decide don't give up, I'm sure there is much that can be done to improve things with or without surgery.
I don't need surgery, but I had several consultations, and there seemed to be more than one way to fix my problem. Extractions required ranged, whether or not implants were need, as did treatment times and methods. So I would get more consultations, and even if they do suggest surgery maybe ask what can realistically be achieved without it.
The system I have generates and image of where my teeth will be after treatment, so I guess if there were compromises if you went without surgery at least you would know how it would look after treatment. This really helped me, as I went with the treatment plan with least extractions and no implants, which was a compromise but one I am happy with.
Even if you go with a treatment that is a compromise, I am sure you will be so much happier with your teeth after treatment than before, so whatever you decide don't give up, I'm sure there is much that can be done to improve things with or without surgery.
ps systems I know of that give you a computer generated image of teeth after treatment are Incognito / IBraces (which are custom made and stuck on the back of your teeth) or sure smile, which uses conventional brackets, but archwires which are custom made to your teeth, both advertise shorter treatment times. I'm sure there are other ways / systems which do this, maybe others could post if they know of any?