At each visit, do they talk to you while they are looking at your mouth? Do they tell you what they see and what they think will happen at the next visit, or what they hope will happen? Do they tell you what power your archwire, elastic, and powerchain is?
I'm just curious b/c mine does not at all. It's really annoying and I wish my ortho did. I do ask at the end, what is going on, and my ortho is still a little vague and not as descriptive as I'd like.
How much does your ortho tell you?
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I'm so glad you posted this, VA5, because I was thinking of asking the same thing. I've always wondered what the percentage is of orthos who really talk to their patience, and the (seeming) majority who say next-to-nothing.
This is usually how our conversations go:
Him: "Cathy, you can come on in. How are you?"
Me: "I'm grea! How are you?"
Him: "Good..." "Open... close... open... close..."
Aaaaaand... that's about it! Examination proceeds, and he mumbles to the assistant as to what he wants her to do, but nothing directly to me at all. Once in a blue moon, at the end (like he did last week), he'll say "Looking good."
If I ask a question, he'll answer it, but it's always short and to the point, and sometimes rather vague. We have no full conversations whatsoever. I was particularly verbose one day, and he seemed a bit annoyed with me for asking questions. So, the following month, I asked if he was offended by my questions, and he shook his head "No". Well, sorry, dude - I'm not a 10-year-old who has no say in the matter, and whose mom and dad are paying for their treatment. I'm an adult, paying from my own pocket, and would like to know what the heck you're doing with my teeth. Yeah, maybe my case isn't too difficult (extract one tooth, and move the rest over and back to get rid of the overjet), but you could give me a progress report on the gap closure and other stuff.
Sorry for the rant - this has been bugging me from the beginning...
-Cathy
This is usually how our conversations go:
Him: "Cathy, you can come on in. How are you?"
Me: "I'm grea! How are you?"
Him: "Good..." "Open... close... open... close..."
Aaaaaand... that's about it! Examination proceeds, and he mumbles to the assistant as to what he wants her to do, but nothing directly to me at all. Once in a blue moon, at the end (like he did last week), he'll say "Looking good."
If I ask a question, he'll answer it, but it's always short and to the point, and sometimes rather vague. We have no full conversations whatsoever. I was particularly verbose one day, and he seemed a bit annoyed with me for asking questions. So, the following month, I asked if he was offended by my questions, and he shook his head "No". Well, sorry, dude - I'm not a 10-year-old who has no say in the matter, and whose mom and dad are paying for their treatment. I'm an adult, paying from my own pocket, and would like to know what the heck you're doing with my teeth. Yeah, maybe my case isn't too difficult (extract one tooth, and move the rest over and back to get rid of the overjet), but you could give me a progress report on the gap closure and other stuff.
Sorry for the rant - this has been bugging me from the beginning...
-Cathy
My ortho tells me what he's doing when he first looks in my mouth. Then if i have a question he sits and explains in full detail to me. His assistants are also very helpful and answer any questions i have.
The office is very casual, and they've all been working together a long time. So they mesh well, which seems to help.
The office is very casual, and they've all been working together a long time. So they mesh well, which seems to help.
29 years old
2-18-10 baby canine pulled
3-15-10 got braces
12-22-11 Moving-SO EXCITED!!
1-2-12 Meet new Ortho
1-5-12 Begin finishing treatment
3-5-12 Canine Implants...dun dun dunnnnn
4-9-12 Deband!
I had braces for Two Years and TwentyFive Days
2-18-10 baby canine pulled
3-15-10 got braces
12-22-11 Moving-SO EXCITED!!
1-2-12 Meet new Ortho
1-5-12 Begin finishing treatment
3-5-12 Canine Implants...dun dun dunnnnn
4-9-12 Deband!
I had braces for Two Years and TwentyFive Days
I would guess that orthodontists, rather than explaining everything that is going on when half of the time the patients do not know enough to understand or even care, would prefer to just "feel out" the patient as to how interested they are in their progress. If someone is interested they will probably ask a lot of questions.
I know from the start my dr usually used mostly laymen terms and didn't go into much detail as to things that are being done, but after a few appointments with me drilling him with questions, he sort of gets a bit technical with me now when I see him. For example, on my last appointment I was asking him about using TADs to intrude my teeth to improve my profile angle, he responded by drawing out a cephalometric diagram and demonstrating how the various angles will change with certain tooth movements, what the implications of my suggestion were, and the possibilities.
I assume he doesn't sit down with each patient and do this, as I am willing to bet a majority don't even know what a ceph diagram is or what it represents, but he will just stick to the basic stuff like how well the patient is on hygiene, new elastic configs, how the kids are doing, etc.
I also imagine there is a personality aspect to it. Its kind of a gray area in medicine when it comes how to much the patient should know. Some drs will be up front and provide a lot, and some think that its maybe better to just the technical jargon to a minimum. And its not like they can really have a conversation about other stuff when your mouth is open and getting poked. I wouldn't say that being more vocal is a necessity to be good at orthodontics, it really only gives the "perception" of being a more competent dr.
This is the kind of thing you should feel out when doing the initial consults. I went with the dr who was the most chatty and spent the most time explaining things. While in reality he might be better or worse than the next guy, all of the talk made me "think" he was better than the others, and that is the kind of personality I wanted to be working with for the next two years, despite the fact his fee was nearly 2 grand higher than the next.
I know from the start my dr usually used mostly laymen terms and didn't go into much detail as to things that are being done, but after a few appointments with me drilling him with questions, he sort of gets a bit technical with me now when I see him. For example, on my last appointment I was asking him about using TADs to intrude my teeth to improve my profile angle, he responded by drawing out a cephalometric diagram and demonstrating how the various angles will change with certain tooth movements, what the implications of my suggestion were, and the possibilities.
I assume he doesn't sit down with each patient and do this, as I am willing to bet a majority don't even know what a ceph diagram is or what it represents, but he will just stick to the basic stuff like how well the patient is on hygiene, new elastic configs, how the kids are doing, etc.
I also imagine there is a personality aspect to it. Its kind of a gray area in medicine when it comes how to much the patient should know. Some drs will be up front and provide a lot, and some think that its maybe better to just the technical jargon to a minimum. And its not like they can really have a conversation about other stuff when your mouth is open and getting poked. I wouldn't say that being more vocal is a necessity to be good at orthodontics, it really only gives the "perception" of being a more competent dr.
This is the kind of thing you should feel out when doing the initial consults. I went with the dr who was the most chatty and spent the most time explaining things. While in reality he might be better or worse than the next guy, all of the talk made me "think" he was better than the others, and that is the kind of personality I wanted to be working with for the next two years, despite the fact his fee was nearly 2 grand higher than the next.
I totally, completely understand that most orthodontists won't get overly technical with us, because 99% of us won't know what they're talking about. Mine knows I'm very curious and do "research" things, which he mentioned when I first got braced. He brought out the two types of metal braces he used and said, "I know you're interested in this stuff..."
All I would really like is something like this: "Okay, I'm attaching a hook onto one of your upper brackets so that I can attach a small powerchain to it because we're gonna start pulling this tooth back. It may hurt like hell sometimes, but you'll know it's doing it's job when you start to see gaps elsewhere..." Or, "Okay, your teeth are pretty well aligned now, so now we're going to work on leveling them, so if your teeth seem to move higher or lower than they are now, that's what the wire is doing." I would be very happy camper with that!
Nothing too technical... simple is fine. I also understand that this is not an exact science, and that they may try something that doesn't end up doing its intended purpose. But all he'd need to say to me is "We're going use 'this' to try to do 'this', and see how it goes..."
All I would really like is something like this: "Okay, I'm attaching a hook onto one of your upper brackets so that I can attach a small powerchain to it because we're gonna start pulling this tooth back. It may hurt like hell sometimes, but you'll know it's doing it's job when you start to see gaps elsewhere..." Or, "Okay, your teeth are pretty well aligned now, so now we're going to work on leveling them, so if your teeth seem to move higher or lower than they are now, that's what the wire is doing." I would be very happy camper with that!
Nothing too technical... simple is fine. I also understand that this is not an exact science, and that they may try something that doesn't end up doing its intended purpose. But all he'd need to say to me is "We're going use 'this' to try to do 'this', and see how it goes..."
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N'awlinsRach
- Posts: 51
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NervousNewbie
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They don't tell me what's going on at all (granted I've only been three times total) but if I ask questions they will answer them.
Braced September 23, 2010
Debraced February 20, 2014
Estimated Treatment Time: 24 months
Actual Treatment Time: 41 months
My Journey
The ortho just asks how I am, looks at my mouth, tells the assistant what to do, and that's it for the most part. The ortho told me that the bottom wire couldn't be changed yet, but I think that's the most detail I've ever gotten. I really like the whole staff though. I'm interested in what's going on with my teeth, but I feel like I might annoy everyone if I ask a lot of questions. I even feel bad if I take too long trying to decide on my lig colors.
I can't be bothered asking, have full faith in the orth for what he is doing inside so no point asking too much. Everytime in afternoon I have an appointment, by 2:30-3pm the play has 8-10 people waiting for him. Time is money so its a business. As said above, either he will say things we can't understand or things that he says you already know by research.
Tooth brush used 3
Dental Flossed used (approx) 200m
Cost of dental floss so far HKD105
Cost of mouth wash HKD210 (3nd bottle)
I totally agree.. this is the extent of what I want. My ortho won't say a thing if I don't ask for something like "so how's it going in there?" All I want is simple layman's terminology when my ortho explains what is going to happen.. what that new powerchain is for.. if the power is being increased, etc. Just simple dialogue.catgyrl wrote:I totally, completely understand that most orthodontists won't get overly technical with us, because 99% of us won't know what they're talking about. Mine knows I'm very curious and do "research" things, which he mentioned when I first got braced. He brought out the two types of metal braces he used and said, "I know you're interested in this stuff..."
All I would really like is something like this: "Okay, I'm attaching a hook onto one of your upper brackets so that I can attach a small powerchain to it because we're gonna start pulling this tooth back. It may hurt like hell sometimes, but you'll know it's doing it's job when you start to see gaps elsewhere..." Or, "Okay, your teeth are pretty well aligned now, so now we're going to work on leveling them, so if your teeth seem to move higher or lower than they are now, that's what the wire is doing." I would be very happy camper with that!
Nothing too technical... simple is fine. I also understand that this is not an exact science, and that they may try something that doesn't end up doing its intended purpose. But all he'd need to say to me is "We're going use 'this' to try to do 'this', and see how it goes..."
For me, I look in the mirror every day, throughout the day, and I want to be able to anticipate some kind of change until my next visit. If my ortho is trying to level one tooth, I want to know to look at the progress of that tooth. I don't want to have to look blindly in my mouth and think... hmmm, I wonder what my ortho is hoping to see at the next visit. Or, I wonder why my teeth are not level yet, and I am wondering if my ortho is doing anything to take care of it. Simple things!!
My ortho is great, he'll answer any question I have. Usually, when he's working he's talking technical with the assistant with the odd aside to me, but if I ask him afterwards he'll always take the time to explain. If there is a bit of time at the end of the appointment and once I've had the photos taken, he'll show me the improvements on the screen - comparing present and past photos and explaining what he'll be doing in future to specific teeth or in general. I don't ever feel like I can't ask a question, however stupid it might be!
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bottlecap1990
- Posts: 110
- Joined: Mon Jul 26, 2010 5:34 am
- Location: New Jersey
LOL that is exactly what my ortho does.catgyrl wrote:I'm so glad you posted this, VA5, because I was thinking of asking the same thing. I've always wondered what the percentage is of orthos who really talk to their patience, and the (seeming) majority who say next-to-nothing.
This is usually how our conversations go:
Him: "Cathy, you can come on in. How are you?"
Me: "I'm grea! How are you?"
Him: "Good..." "Open... close... open... close..."
Aaaaaand... that's about it! Examination proceeds, and he mumbles to the assistant as to what he wants her to do, but nothing directly to me at all. Once in a blue moon, at the end (like he did last week), he'll say "Looking good."
If I ask a question, he'll answer it, but it's always short and to the point, and sometimes rather vague. We have no full conversations whatsoever. I was particularly verbose one day, and he seemed a bit annoyed with me for asking questions. So, the following month, I asked if he was offended by my questions, and he shook his head "No". Well, sorry, dude - I'm not a 10-year-old who has no say in the matter, and whose mom and dad are paying for their treatment. I'm an adult, paying from my own pocket, and would like to know what the heck you're doing with my teeth. Yeah, maybe my case isn't too difficult (extract one tooth, and move the rest over and back to get rid of the overjet), but you could give me a progress report on the gap closure and other stuff.
Sorry for the rant - this has been bugging me from the beginning...
-Cathy
RPE. 6/5/2010
Full metal braces, 8/7/2010
Braces Removed, 6/12/2013
Full metal braces, 8/7/2010
Braces Removed, 6/12/2013
All of you should try look at as I do. If I were going in for surgery, getting my car fixed, having home improvements done, etc. I would want to know exactly what was going on and what each step is for. I work very hard for my money as I'm sure each of you do. I have two sons and myself in braces, so it's costing me a ton of money. I treat my ortho as sort of an employee. I'm paying them to work on my teeth. It's my money, I want to know exactly how it's being spent!
uvraise-
That's EXACTLY how I look at it. I've had two major shoulder surgeries, and I researched them thoroughly before the operations so I'd know what to expect (within reason). I don't see why it's a problem to ask what's going on with my teeth. I'm not going to be asking "When are they coming off?" for a very long time; I just want to know "wassagoinon" now...
Please don't get me wrong - I really like my ortho and his staff. They're very professional and courteous. I guess I just figured he'd know how to vary up his "style" and deal with adults a little differently than he does with kids.
That's EXACTLY how I look at it. I've had two major shoulder surgeries, and I researched them thoroughly before the operations so I'd know what to expect (within reason). I don't see why it's a problem to ask what's going on with my teeth. I'm not going to be asking "When are they coming off?" for a very long time; I just want to know "wassagoinon" now...
Please don't get me wrong - I really like my ortho and his staff. They're very professional and courteous. I guess I just figured he'd know how to vary up his "style" and deal with adults a little differently than he does with kids.