Moving to another country during treatment - possible?

Message

#1 Post by **barb9000** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 9:34 am

Hi everyone. I am seriously considering Invisalign as I am sick and tired of my crowded teeth. My issue is that although I want to get started ASAP, I am planning a move from the UK to the US at the end of this year. Will it be possible to start the treatment here in the UK? Do you get all of your aligners at once (in which case I could take them with me and have a new ortho in the US look after the progress) - or would I be able to pay for only the first half of the trays, etc?

If anyone has any experience with this situation, any info would be appreciated. I have finally made the serious decision to do something about my teeth and I'd hate to now wait until I move to start this.

#2 Post by **barb9000** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 8:37 am

Ok, well, I found out the answer myself so I'll post it here for anyone wondering. Yes, it is possible to move (don't know if it works for every country, but it does UK to US). Before I leave, I will need to find an ortho in the US willing to take me as a patient. There are then forms provided by Invisalign that each provider signs, one saying they are giving the case away, one saying they are taking it on. My current provider then gives me all of my remaining aligners and I give them to my new ortho who then oversees my progress.

In addition, Invisalign will send any refinement trays DIRECTLY to the new provider and I will not have to pay any extra for this as they were paid for under my original contract in the UK. So I will only need to pay the new US ortho the fees for actually seeing me, not for any aligners.

#3 Post by **Phantom Muse** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:23 am

Where in the US will you be moving? Maybe I can offer a referral to you. I am in Chicago, but if you are not coming to the very sunny midwest, perhaps others can point you toward a good ortho. Good luck!

#4 Post by **myhollywoodsmile** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 4:06 pm

Just a thought, but have you considered just waiting until you get to the US. The reason I ask is that every ortho has different ideas about treatment and you might find that the two orthos that you pick might have planned your treatment differently. I wonder whether you might get a better result by waiting until you get to the US to start.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck.

#5 Post by **DrJasonKTam** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 6:29 pm

100% wait until you move. Anytime you switch orthodontists, you will incur extra costs and may find differing opinions in treatment.

Good luck!

#6 Post by **barb9000** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 6:58 am

Thanks for all of the replies. I was so impatient to start the process that I have already agreed with my UK provider to begin treatment...

(I am moving to Los Angeles)

Of course, because I was impatient, I did not really shop around and have since found that my current provider has had a few complaints on the internet. I am trying not to worry about this though. I have had 4 different people tell me they have had good results from this provider, so I guess I will need to just try my luck and see how things go for me...

#7 Post by **arnette** » Thu May 06, 2010 3:38 pm

When you do move, Dr. Greenberg in Altadena is great. It's in the San Gabriel Valley NE of downtown L.A.

Good luck!

#8 Post by **barb9000** » Tue May 11, 2010 3:30 am

Thanks very much Arnette!