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Thanks Karen, sorry to ask so many questions but I just want to get a really good idea of what I am going to be facing and what they look like, your comments are a great help.
The Damon 3s are tops in the ortho world. See http://www.damonbraces.com/video/index.php for why that is. I came out of treatment 8 months ago with Damons (at the age of 49). They are sleek, comfortable, and faaast! They cost the docs more, but take less time (and fewer visits). Your doctor must be quality-conscious and patient-focused. Congratulations on getting D3s. You will love them!
My ortho is about as patient-focused as you can get. I can contact him 24/7 if I need to. But he doesn't use Damon 3's.
They might cost the docs more, but that cost is going to be passed on to the patient.
Strikes me there's a lot of Damon plugging going on here. Not that I'm cynical (well OK I am) but it comes across as advertising to me.
I'm starting to think the only reason my Ortho praised the Damons, is because they bring in more $$ for the ortho. My Damons cost me $700 more than the regular metal braces...I don't know how much they cost my ortho. And one thing that I don't like about the Damons...they stick out a little more than other brackets. I always have an impression of my brackets on the inside of my upper lip, and I'm not willing to wear wax 24/7.
How exciting, congrats on your up and coming braces.
I have Damon 3 and Damon 3 MXs and so far I like them very much.
I also had regular traditional braces when I was a child so this will be my second time around in braces.
I really like the Damon's so far but I have only had mine on for a few weeks so I have no idea how things will be down the line. I am excited to have straight teeth though.
I highly doubt that Orthodontists are making money by using Damon brackets instead of traditional, or other types. Do people actually think that they're charging a premium for using them, marking up the price that's given to the patient?
Yes, they can cost more, but I'm certain that the cost is being passed onto the patient at a 1:1 ratio, not being inflated, hence there is no real motivation for the ortho to use them besides his/her personal preferences, experience, and the patients situation.
Some orthos don't even pass the cost on, mine for example charges the same for ceramic, damon, or traitional brackets, which are used is completely situational. There are brackets out there that cost more than Damon aswell... Can't help but be amused that some people are so against the damon brackets, and claim that they advertise so much, never have I been subject to this so called advertising by my ortho, the assistants at his office, or dentist. I haven't seen any Damon commercials on TV, haven't seen any posters/ads and no pop-ups so far touting the brackets greatness, where is this advertising exactly?
People stating their personal experiences with the brackets and reccomending them isn't advertisement, by the way.
I've had Damon 3s for a year and a couple months now, and have had 0 problems related to the brackets. Have used wax maybe once or twice and needed to salt rinse on maybe 3 or 4 seperate occassions, but the amount of discomfort caused by the braces is dependant on the person (s mouth). Good luck with your treatment!
Braced November 29, 2005. Damon 3's on top and bottom