Consult #2 update
Yesterday I had consult #2 - and I am very happy and almost 100% sure that my search may already be over. This is how it went....
Arrived at the ortho office about 5 minutes early. Opened the door and was sweetly greeted by an older woman receptionist. She pointed me toward a computer and showed me how to find my name and click off my name to show I was there...(pretty cool I thought). Then I sat down in the waiting room for a few minutes before I was called to go to the consultation room. I was escorted into the room my the "treatment coordinator" and asked to sit in the
green chair. After I sat down Donna (treatment coordinator) confirmed my address and medical info. She explained briefly what the Dr. would be doing and what to expect going forward if I decide. (She was extremely nice
). She left the room for a couple minutes so I got to take a look around the room - there were many molds of his patients before and after braces. There were also molds with several appliances on them - cool to see what I could be in for.
After a few minutes of scoping out the room the Dr. came in and nicely greeted me with a handshake. He looked nothing like what I was expecting...he's kinda short, balding and very soft spoken. He started off by fully explaining what he was going to do for this first initial consult and explained that he would need to gather some medical history from me before doing the exam. We went through the usual questions - I answered NO to all of them and then we discussed what I want to do and what my "problems" are. We discussed my TMJ symptons and he asked me several very intuitive questions to try to gather more information. Afterwards he proceeded to look at my profile and smile and he wrote down his observations on a form.
Next we went on to the oral exam. He laid me back and I was told to open wide - he looked around with his mirrors and made his observations. He took a thin plastic ruler and made some measurements...he noted that all my wisdom teeth had come in and that they were very well aligned (which he said is a rarity!!! - one good thing going for me!). After what I think was a thorough check of my teeth and bite etc. he sat me up to discuss what he thinks should generally happen. He said I could definitely benefit from treatment and that he would love to look after me. He was very sincere and seemed to be very genuine about wanting to help - I loved that! He said he would like to close my gap - unlike the 1st consult where the doc told me she couldn't do anything! He would like to bring back my "eye" teeth (lower canines) - since it seems like they're trying to escape my mouth. (If not treated as I get older the gums may begin to recede leaving them no support to stay in my mouth). Straighten out the lower central and lateral incisors and hopefully widen my smile. He did say that at this point it is kinda hard to say whether I can escape having any extractions but that he didn't want to say for sure that I would have to have my perfectly good teeth pulled out - so I guess time will tell. Then without me even asking - the ortho asked if I think that I show a lot of gums when I smile. I was like "Oh my God - yes I do - is there something we can do about it?" He said he would love to help me accomplish everything I'd like. I think I found a God-sent!!! We chatted for a couple minutes and then he mentioned that if I decide to go forward with him the next step would be records and that Donna (treatment co-ordinator) will go over it with me. I thanked him and then Donna came in to discuss the next step. She explained each step of the records process - the fun molds with a "selection of flavours" and the series of photos and xrays. What I wasn't looking forward to was the charge - $300....ouch
(I was prepared for it though). She asked if I wanted to do it right then and there, but I was on my lunch and had to go back to work.
I basically made up my mind on the spot that I was happy with the way they operated the office, the demeanour of the ortho and I wanted this bad enough - so I booked to do my records appointment on Feb. 14 at 12:00. The ortho needs a couple weeks to get the results and to make up a treatment plan so I will go back on March 7 to discuss what he has diagnosed for me. I walked out of the office feeling good about myself and excited that I was finally going to take the leap. Thank you staff at Braceland for making me comfortable and happy with my decision.
I will have to update my records experience on Feb. 14 (Valentines Day).
? - where can I start my own blog?
~sorry about the extra long post~
