How long did it take for you to get braced?

[bracefaceekimmie]

I've been waiting for over a week for them to finalize the cost of treatment and treatment plan. And I feel like they're wasting time. Ugh. I just wanna get them on asap.

[kelly88]

I've been waiting roughly 3 months. That's my fault though. I've just come back from a big road trip around Europe. I'm a really strict vegetarian so thought finding food while abroad would be difficult if I had just got braces too. So I decided to wait till my trip was over. Finally getting braces in a little over two weeks.

To me over a week doesn't seem that long but because I have waited so long out of choice, I don't really know what's the normal length of time to wait. My orthodontist had said that me waiting worked out perfectly for her too because she was really busy. She said I might have had to wait a few weeks anyway (which probably wouldn't have bothered me even if I didn't have plans to go travelling).

I hope you can get started soon!

[ljms]

It only took four days to finalize the cost and treatment plan but it was four months before I got my braces on. The combination of scheduling extractions, summer vacations (dentist, orthodontist, and me), and a very busy ortho practice contributed to the delay.

[djspeece]

My ortho's shop is a well-oiled machine. I had a signed contract complete with pricing before I left the office; had braces applied about 2 weeks later when my schedule had an opening. I didn't want to sit around and think about it too much.

[bracefaceekimmie]

I already did all the work done that I needed. The only thing left is my braces. So maybe that's why I'm soo impatient. But I even dream of them now. I'm getting kinda desperate. I just know sooo many offices where it takes a few hrs to do that stuff that making me wait weeks feels eternal! And I'm not even waiting to get braced, I'm still waiting for the financial and treatment plan.

[newbite]

I got my treatment and payment plan the day of my initial consultation, no waiting. It seems weird you have to wait so long for yours. Have you called them?

Maybe you should get a second consult. Maybe it's a bad sign about how this office operates. When you have braces it's nice being able to count on your office to be very responsive, fast working, and easy to get hold of if there are problems.

Actually, re-reading your post, you should definitely get a second consult. From everything I've read it's not normal to wait weeks just for a treatment/financial plan. Unless it's an extreme situation, I guess, but i'd also get a second (and third!) opinion in that case, too.

[bracefaceekimmie]

I feel like that too. He is my second opinion. Both Drs had the same treatment in mind. Only difference is the cost. My First Original (and FABULOUS) dentist charges 4800. But they are GREAT. This one that I decided to go with was recommended by multiple friends and promised my treatment would be at MOST 3000$. Which is a HUGE difference. And since my husband is paying cash, he obviously wants to go w the cheaper Dentist. I HATE it. They just suck. And are always busy. The staff is VERY cold. I miss my original Dentist.. If they dont call me by Monday I'm just going w my Original Dentist. In fact, I'll get a job to pay the difference. Lol.

[newbite]

I think that's a very good idea. In fact, if you can swing it, I think it's well worth the money to have your braces done by an office you really trust and are comfortable with. Good luck!!

[bracefaceekimmie]

That's what I keep telling my husband. I LOVE my original dentist and the office staff. I walk in there like its my home. They know I go in with very little time cuz of my 7mo old daughter so they treat me right away. I'm gonna have to have a serious talk with him. I'm over this dentist. I know its a huge difference. But I think its worth it. Plus they already know I suffer from anxiety, and my dental fears. I just need to put my foot down about it.

[PhDGuy]

I got my treatment and payment plan the day of my initial consultation, no waiting. It seems weird you have to wait so long for yours. Have you called them?

Maybe you should get a second consult. Maybe it's a bad sign about how this office operates. When you have braces it's nice being able to count on your office to be very responsive, fast working, and easy to get hold of if there are problems.

Actually, re-reading your post, you should definitely get a second consult. From everything I've read it's not normal to wait weeks just for a treatment/financial plan. Unless it's an extreme situation, I guess, but i'd also get a second (and third!) opinion in that case, too.

I agree with newbite's suggestion about getting a second or even a third consult. Like djspeece's orthodontist's office, my orthodontist's office is also a well-oiled machine with regards to operations. I have only been braced for around a month and a half, but once I made the decision and called them up, they got me in for a consult in 5 days. At the consultation, they outlined the problems, the approach, and the cost breakdown including insurance contribution and asked me if I wanted to go ahead and get the records done that day. I had another consultation lined up for the next day and told them as much. I really liked their office based on what I saw the first day and the only reason I even went for the second consult is because the second orthodontist is in town, whereas, the other orthodontist, the one I ended up going with, is a 50 mile drive one way. Needless to say, the consultation with the orthodontist in town was a major disappointment, so I called the first ortho's office right away and they had me come in for records and spacers the very next day. I was braced four days later. All in all, less than a week from initial consultation to getting braces. I have also had to go in for two emergency visits related to a loose molar band and a pokey wire, and in each case, they had me in in less than 24 hours.

My suggestion is that if you are paying your hard earned money, you might as well go with an office where you feel comfortable and are treated professionally and with respect. After all, you will be in braces for a while and you don't want to end up dreading visits to your orthodontist. I understand that the cost is significantly higher at the first ortho's office, but also do keep in mind that cost is not the only factor. Last thing, ask the first orthodontist if they will work out a more generous payment plan so you don't feel a huge burden right off the bat, a lot of office do.

[Bracesat57]

I got my treatment plan and cost the day of my initial consultation. Then within the next three weeks I was able to get in for my records appointment (X-rays and molds), spacers and braces.

Not sure why your ortho is making you wait for treatment plan and cost.

I will throw in my two cents....and say you will be probably going there for approximately two years so you really need to be going with someone you are comfortable with.

Good luck!

[UnevenJAG]

Mine took a bit longer because I had to wait to have my exposure surgery on my impacted canine first, first initial consult I got pricing and treatment plan and on next appointment I returned forms etc and had X-rays organised for impacted canine. Initial consult was in Feb 2014, exposure surgery June 2014 and top braces on July 2014, bottom braces aren't on yet but I'm hoping with the next 2-4 months they will be.

[bracefaceekimmie]

Yeah. I'm calling my regular dentist and I'll have him treat me. Hes soo great. I feel comfortable w him. And I know he'll have me in asap. Its been a week and a half and still no word from this other dentist. And I'm sure he'll be closed Monday for the holiday. Ugh, I hate him for wasting my time. I should have just stuck w my original dr.

[bracefaceekimmie]

Sooo, FINALLY got to talk to the Treatment Director. She apologized for the delay. I guess she went on Vacation and I told her no one had told me. She's the one who explains EVERYTHING. But they offered me 2 options. Right now my top front are VERY overcrowded. My left canine is actually back behind my teeth. Soo the 1st option is to extract the left bicuspid and pull my canine into it's place. That would be 2600$. Option 2 would be to pull all my left teeth back, and make room for the canine and pull it forward. That runs 2800$. They did make room for me so I get to go in this Thursday at 10am. I'm just not sure what to do yet.

[Kissyface30]

[quote="bracefaceekimmie"]Sooo, FINALLY got to talk to the Treatment Director. She apologized for the delay. I guess she went on Vacation and I told her no one had told me. She's the one who explains EVERYTHING. But they offered me 2 options. Right now my top front are VERY overcrowded. My left canine is actually back behind my teeth. Soo the 1st option is to extract the left bicuspid and pull my canine into it's place. That would be 2600$. Option 2 would be to pull all my left teeth back, and make room for the canine and pull it forward. That runs 2800$. They did make room for me so I get to go in this Thursday at 10am. I'm just not sure what to do yet.[/quote]

What did you end up deciding?