Thinking about it...

Message

#1 Post by **Crooked** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:40 pm

I've always wanted my teeth straightened as they are crooked due to over crowding. I saw a dentist who does Invisalign braces and he reckons about 9 months should do me and quoted Â£3,500 including a permanent fixed retainer.

Are there questions I should ask the dentist as part of the due diligence process?

Thanks

#2 Post by **amber10101** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 5:06 pm

I've got crowding too, and am 2 weeks into a 9 month treatment. Similar situation.

Some questions to ask:

Does that fee cover refinements? Mid course corrections should they be needed? Will the charge be higher if the treatment takes more trays than the estimate?

If Invisalign is not working for you for some strange reason, will you get metal braces for free? Have to pay for them yourself?

What is their schedule availability? If you have last minute questions, can you drop in for a visit or do you have to wait a month to get an appointment?

Have they treated many patients with Invisalign or are you the experiment?

If you want a retainer that covers ALL your teeth, is that included in the price too?

Do they include whitening trays or gel when the procedure is done?

If you break or loose an aligner, is there a charge and how much?

All the best to you!

#3 Post by **Crooked** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 3:40 am

Thanks for that Amber - I have spoken to the dentist and I think I might just go for it.

It is expensive but I'd love to have straight white teeth.

#4 Post by **Wobblydeb** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 3:58 am

Good reply from amber - covers everything I can think of. The only thing that might be worthwhile is finding out what the payment terms are and whether you can pay up to the Clincheck stage before committing yourself.

(Although once you see the clincheck its probably a done deal!)

#5 Post by **Crooked** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:30 am

Wobblydeb wrote:Good reply from amber - covers everything I can think of. The only thing that might be worthwhile is finding out what the payment terms are and whether you can pay up to the Clincheck stage before committing yourself.

(Although once you see the clincheck its probably a done deal!)

Thanks - I think the next step is I see the dentist for an hour - have some moulds taken and a whole bunch of Xrays, after that I see the outcome and when (if) I choose to proceed thereafter its a done deal.

I would pay over the course of the treatment (estimated at 9 months).9 months

#6 Post by **Wireless** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 5:10 am

The only other suggestion is to possibly get a couple of consultations. I don't know how this is done in the UK, but in the US, the initial consultation is free. Also, does the dentist you're working with specialize in orthodontics. I had a family dentist do my last ortho treatment 20 years ago, and while the initial results were good, the problem came back over time. Find out how your treatment plan will keep your problem from returning.

Good luck!!!

#7 Post by **Crooked** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:25 am

Thanks for that Wireless - I'm going to see another dentist locally who uses Clearview (?) which is the UK based equivalent of Invisalign I believe.

Not sure about Clearview though - if Invisalign has been around longer surely their models to predict the movement of teeth will have been fine tuned better.

#8 Post by **Crooked** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 3:57 pm

Well I managed to see a dentist this afternoon about Clearstep and I'm more confused.

He thought it would be at least 22 months (compared to the 9 the first dentist I saw mentioned).

Is this sort of disparity normal? Should I get a third opinion?

#9 Post by **Wobblydeb** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 2:44 am

With that kind of disparity I would definitely go see an orthodontist. You may have to pay a consultation fee to do so, but it could prove worth it in the long run if you have an issue that removable braces will struggle to fix.

#10 Post by **Wireless** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:51 am

Nine months is a very short time unless your problem is relatively minor. I agree with Wobblydeb that an orthodontist consultation is a good idea. As I think I mentioned earlier, my last treatment was by a family dentist and now 20 years later, I'm back. Be sure your orthodontist has credentials in the treatment method your are considering. It doesn't hurt to ask questions and seek experience. Even if the dentist does a good job (which appeared to be the case for me at the time) there could be future problems. You probably don't want to go through this but once!!

#11 Post by **shagsoprano** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:00 am

Two major submechanisms within the Invisalign system are 'attachments' and IPR, or interproximal reduction (essentially shaving teeth a few microns down to make aligning them more easy and w/o extracting other teeth). One theme I've noticed is often the degree to which people are doing ok or not ok in the early going seems directly proportional to the number of teeth attachments, how much IPR has to be done, and most important, how much advance warning they got about either.
So to the extent your Invisalign professional can tell you, ask how many attachments are anticipated and how many teeth will need IPR. IPR can cause sensitivity in some (i've had it and suffered no tenderness, thankfully). And the number of attachments and the location of the attachments impact how one perceives ones' appearance and affects the ease or difficulty of liner removal. I've got 5 attachments, but they're on my canines and premolars, essentially out of sight. But some on this site speak of double digit number of attachments, located on their incisors in plain view, which cause pain when taking liners off and worse, the attachments, they complain, fall off occasionally, further putting their invisalign plan behind an indeterminate amount of time.
Having said all of that, I'm in my 4th of 10 months and I can't believe I waited so long. I love it love it love it. I can't believe I finally did something positive about my crowded teeth after complaining all these years. Maybe I'm an easy case (i doubt it), maybe i have a high threshold for pain (i doubt it), maybe i've got a good invisalign professional taking care of me (yes, that's probably the ticket). But my advice to any and all is inform yourself so you know what to expect, then do it, eyes wide open!
Good Luck!

#12 Post by **Wireless** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 5:53 pm

I did think of a couple of additional items to ask about. Some Invisalign patients have "refinements" during or at the end of treatment if for some reason further alignment is needed or your teeth don't respond as expected. Be sure this is part of your treatment. Also, be sure retainers are included after braces. These are generally included in US treatment plans, but I'm not sure about UK.

Good luck!!

#13 Post by **Crooked** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 3:11 pm

Well I've got a third appointment with another dentist who specialises in Invisalign on Thursday - he'll be taking X-Rays and giving me 'The Lowdown 2.0'

I shall report on Thursday.

#14 Post by **Wireless** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:07 pm

Good luck with your appointment!! We hope to see your ID change from "Crooked" to "Terrific Smile" in the near future!!

#15 Post by **Wireless** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:19 pm

Good luck with your appointment!! We hope to see your ID change from "Crooked" to "Terrific Smile" in the near future!!