I have been told by several dentists that I need jaw surgery, so I intend to get it within the next year. My main problem is that I am moving to Colombia.
My question is... How coordinated does the orthodontist and the jaw surgeon need to be? Ideally, I would like to get accelerated orthodontics (braces for 3-8 months) in Bogota and then go to the USA and get Jaw Surgery. So, does the orthodontist and jaw surgeon actually have to talk a lot or do they just send over x-rays? Do you think it would be possible to do this?
Has anyone gotten braces in one state and then surgery in another? Does it pose any problems?
Braces in Colombia -- Jaw Surgery in USA - Possible?
Moderator: bbsadmin
I think you might face a couple of issues:
1.) A snobby American doctor unwilling/too ignorant to collaborate on your treatment with a Colombian doctor in the so-called second world.
2.) Paying more for orthodontics as you are forced to seek out a new orthodontist post-surgery for the completion of your treatment.
I, too, wanted to do the same thing when I was living in Guatemala, but decided against it for a couple of reasons.
Can anyone else think of any other reasons for or against this poster's plan?
1.) A snobby American doctor unwilling/too ignorant to collaborate on your treatment with a Colombian doctor in the so-called second world.
2.) Paying more for orthodontics as you are forced to seek out a new orthodontist post-surgery for the completion of your treatment.
I, too, wanted to do the same thing when I was living in Guatemala, but decided against it for a couple of reasons.
Can anyone else think of any other reasons for or against this poster's plan?
The surgeon I used pretty routinely has patients from all over the world. I'd imagine that as long as you have a savvy orthodontist who is used to surgery patients (accelerated ortho is many times on the more cosmetic side of orthodontics rather than the surgical) and willing to work with a surgeon, and vice versa, then it could work out. It would take a lot of planning though and the right surgeon and ortho for sure.
Hi,
My orthodontist is in Arizona, and my surgeon is in Washington state. From my experience, it might prove a bit of a headache, but it's entirely feasible. My ortho emails records to my surgeon's office, and ships over study models. I know they have talked on the phone, but not sure how many times. The amount of phone time probably depends on your ortho and surgeon (how communicative they are in general), the circumstances of your case, etc.
If you don't have an orthodontist in Bogota yet, I would suggest finding one with lot of experience working with pre-surgery cases, as it makes it more likely they will have experience with this kind of long-distance communication. Obviously, it would also help if your ortho is bilingual.
I don't know the specifics of your case, but I thought I would mention that it seems like most people have to be in braces (either pre- or post-surgery) longer than anticipated. I don't know how long you plan on living in Colombia, but this might be something to consider. I started my ortho treatment in the city where I went to graduate school, entirely expecting to be done with treatment by graduation time. Wrong! I honestly had no idea I would be in braces for three + years! In my case, I would have found it easier to plan things out if I had known at the beginning that there was the possibility I would be in braces longer than expected. Hopefully your case is simpler than mine and you will only be in braces a short time. Best of luck!
My orthodontist is in Arizona, and my surgeon is in Washington state. From my experience, it might prove a bit of a headache, but it's entirely feasible. My ortho emails records to my surgeon's office, and ships over study models. I know they have talked on the phone, but not sure how many times. The amount of phone time probably depends on your ortho and surgeon (how communicative they are in general), the circumstances of your case, etc.
If you don't have an orthodontist in Bogota yet, I would suggest finding one with lot of experience working with pre-surgery cases, as it makes it more likely they will have experience with this kind of long-distance communication. Obviously, it would also help if your ortho is bilingual.
I don't know the specifics of your case, but I thought I would mention that it seems like most people have to be in braces (either pre- or post-surgery) longer than anticipated. I don't know how long you plan on living in Colombia, but this might be something to consider. I started my ortho treatment in the city where I went to graduate school, entirely expecting to be done with treatment by graduation time. Wrong! I honestly had no idea I would be in braces for three + years! In my case, I would have found it easier to plan things out if I had known at the beginning that there was the possibility I would be in braces longer than expected. Hopefully your case is simpler than mine and you will only be in braces a short time. Best of luck!
Okay, I am not really familiar with the procedures. Is it the ortho or the surgeon the one that decides how my teeth need to be post surgery? If I were to do this, would I find a surgeon first and then an ortho? Or do people typically find a surgeon a couple months prior to needing that? It seems premature to find a surgeon now when I may have to be in braces for 2 years
Your ortho and surgeon will work together to determine your final bite, so you probably want them working together from the very start. Your ortho will be in charge of the final post-surgery treatment phase (fine-tuning the bite, etc). In my case, as I get closer to surgery, it seems like my surgeon has given my ortho more and more instructions/guidance on what teeth to move in preparation for surgery. I don't know if this is the case for everyone.
I think most people consult an orthodontist first, who will usually refer the patient to a couple of surgeons for consultation. But in your case, since you are not in Colombia yet, I don't see why you couldn't go ahead and meet with the surgeon first. It will give you time to find a surgeon you feel comfortable with, and who is ready and willing to work with an out-of-country ortho. You can explain your situation to your (potential) surgeon at the consultation and see what they say.
All that said, I don't know if you have insurance and need a referral before you can see an oral surgeon. I imagine it depends on your insurance plan. I don't have insurance, so never really dealt with any referrals. I just called up the offices of a couple of oral surgeons that I wanted to meet with and set up consultation appointments, but again, if you have insurance your process might be a little different.
Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 3:00 pm Post subject:
Okay, I am not really familiar with the procedures. Is it the ortho or the surgeon the one that decides how my teeth need to be post surgery? If I were to do this, would I find a surgeon first and then an ortho? Or do people typically find a surgeon a couple months prior to needing that? It seems premature to find a surgeon now when I may have to be in braces for 2 years
I think most people consult an orthodontist first, who will usually refer the patient to a couple of surgeons for consultation. But in your case, since you are not in Colombia yet, I don't see why you couldn't go ahead and meet with the surgeon first. It will give you time to find a surgeon you feel comfortable with, and who is ready and willing to work with an out-of-country ortho. You can explain your situation to your (potential) surgeon at the consultation and see what they say.
All that said, I don't know if you have insurance and need a referral before you can see an oral surgeon. I imagine it depends on your insurance plan. I don't have insurance, so never really dealt with any referrals. I just called up the offices of a couple of oral surgeons that I wanted to meet with and set up consultation appointments, but again, if you have insurance your process might be a little different.
Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 3:00 pm Post subject:
Okay, I am not really familiar with the procedures. Is it the ortho or the surgeon the one that decides how my teeth need to be post surgery? If I were to do this, would I find a surgeon first and then an ortho? Or do people typically find a surgeon a couple months prior to needing that? It seems premature to find a surgeon now when I may have to be in braces for 2 years
Thank you for the response moonpie.
Yes, I do not have insurance either and will be paying out of pocket. When you saw the jaw surgeon and received a consultation did they take x-rays and come up with a plan of action (lower or upper or both. how far will the jaw have to be moved, etc).
If so, I think I will see many of them and compare what they each said. I read in another thread of someone who saw 7 surgeons and only the last 2 (the ones he considered to be most prestigious) agreed with each other on a plan.
Yes, I do not have insurance either and will be paying out of pocket. When you saw the jaw surgeon and received a consultation did they take x-rays and come up with a plan of action (lower or upper or both. how far will the jaw have to be moved, etc).
If so, I think I will see many of them and compare what they each said. I read in another thread of someone who saw 7 surgeons and only the last 2 (the ones he considered to be most prestigious) agreed with each other on a plan.
Hi Jawguy,
Yes, when you see the surgeon they will take several x-rays, then the surgeon will talk to you about what he or she thinks is wrong with your bite, and how they would fix it. In the course of my treatment, I have had three consultations with different surgeons. In my case, the price of each consultation ranged from $70-$200. It's good to take a list of questions with you so you don't forget to ask about anything. After you talk with the surgeon, you will probably then meet with the office financial coordinator person, who will give you a written estimate for the surgeon's fees, hospital fees, and anesthesiologist. Definitely meet with different surgeons until you find one you like. Best of luck.
Yes, when you see the surgeon they will take several x-rays, then the surgeon will talk to you about what he or she thinks is wrong with your bite, and how they would fix it. In the course of my treatment, I have had three consultations with different surgeons. In my case, the price of each consultation ranged from $70-$200. It's good to take a list of questions with you so you don't forget to ask about anything. After you talk with the surgeon, you will probably then meet with the office financial coordinator person, who will give you a written estimate for the surgeon's fees, hospital fees, and anesthesiologist. Definitely meet with different surgeons until you find one you like. Best of luck.
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shennalicious
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2009 9:14 am
The International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (IAOMS) governs all of the different associations that cover each continent. When you pick the area you live, be in America or Colombia or Iran, the IAOMS website will direct you to the only board which can certify doctors in that area.
Unlike plastic surgery, those of us seeking orthognathic surgery are pretty lucky that there is one unifying body for oral and maxillofacial surgery.
If you want to get surgery in Colombia, the Colombian Association (I forget the exact acronym) will have a list of the highly trained doctors that meet requirements set forth by the board.
I have been looking around for a surgeon in Bogota, and while most quotes for upper jaw surgery hover around 7k-9k, more than a few senior surgeons who don't get involved with medical tourism have quoted me 5k all inclusive. From natives of Colombia, this is the price range I was looking for because it's what Colombians get charged.
In addition, when I searched credentials, the schools they were educated at were the same schools South American surgeons currently practicing in America were educated at, so they are obviously acceptable.
Anyway, for you or anyone else whose insurance won't cover it, Colombia might be a feasible option. I just wanted to share this information because it's the ONLY way I can get this surgery. If anyone needs names, feel free to private message me. Surgery is in May =)
Unlike plastic surgery, those of us seeking orthognathic surgery are pretty lucky that there is one unifying body for oral and maxillofacial surgery.
If you want to get surgery in Colombia, the Colombian Association (I forget the exact acronym) will have a list of the highly trained doctors that meet requirements set forth by the board.
I have been looking around for a surgeon in Bogota, and while most quotes for upper jaw surgery hover around 7k-9k, more than a few senior surgeons who don't get involved with medical tourism have quoted me 5k all inclusive. From natives of Colombia, this is the price range I was looking for because it's what Colombians get charged.
In addition, when I searched credentials, the schools they were educated at were the same schools South American surgeons currently practicing in America were educated at, so they are obviously acceptable.
Anyway, for you or anyone else whose insurance won't cover it, Colombia might be a feasible option. I just wanted to share this information because it's the ONLY way I can get this surgery. If anyone needs names, feel free to private message me. Surgery is in May =)
you are probably asking because all the websites say a treatment like that requires close cooperation between the surgeon and the orthodontists.
from my experience the reality is different. x-rays and maybe a letter at the beginning of the treatment, and a couple of months/weeks before the surgery your surgeon might write another letter to the orthodontist.
as long as they speek the same language I wouldn't worry about physical distance.
from my experience the reality is different. x-rays and maybe a letter at the beginning of the treatment, and a couple of months/weeks before the surgery your surgeon might write another letter to the orthodontist.
as long as they speek the same language I wouldn't worry about physical distance.