What happens at the Consultation?
How much do we get to express what we see/feel versus they just look for themselves?
Also, is it normal to get started the same day as the free consultation? I just set mine up and they said to leave time and if we agreed on the plan we could get started the same day. That seems odd but I like not having to miss more work...
Consultation
Moderator: bbsadmin
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cmatthews26
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2017 6:18 am
Re: Consultation
Typically at the initial consultation they will do an examination of your teeth and give you some options to choose from in terms of braces. Whether it be ceramic, regular metal or invisalign if you're a candidate.
There are a few different things that could happen that day. In my case, I had no choice but to opt for traditional braces because I wasn't a good candidate for invisalign. Also, I was required to get extractions before treatment could begin. Of course, this is not always the case. I also had to give a deposit and bring post-dated cheques. I suppose if you had all of that with you and didn't require any extractions, you could begin the same day(depending on your orthodontists schedule).
I would think that it depends entirely on the orthodontist and what he/she feels is best to achieve that perfect smile. You definitely have say in what goes on in your mouth! They will always try and suggest the best possible options for you but you do have the final say of what happens. Most of the time
There are a few different things that could happen that day. In my case, I had no choice but to opt for traditional braces because I wasn't a good candidate for invisalign. Also, I was required to get extractions before treatment could begin. Of course, this is not always the case. I also had to give a deposit and bring post-dated cheques. I suppose if you had all of that with you and didn't require any extractions, you could begin the same day(depending on your orthodontists schedule).
I would think that it depends entirely on the orthodontist and what he/she feels is best to achieve that perfect smile. You definitely have say in what goes on in your mouth! They will always try and suggest the best possible options for you but you do have the final say of what happens. Most of the time
Re: Consultation
I went to several consultations over the past month trying to see what the consensus would be. All of them were free but most of them didn't want to commit to a full treatment plan until x-rays are done. They were between $100 and $175, although one practice did them for free. This was the practice I decided to go with.
There was a lot of me showing my teeth, biting having the ortho feeling around as I bit down.
What I learned in the process was that every office had a unique atmosphere. Each ortho had a different way of explaining my condition and treatment plan. I also got to see the other patients and how busy the office was. I also met the assistants and front staff. Everything factored into my decision. When I found my office I was sure right away and everything about it reassured me. Some offices I didn't like/hated I also recognized right away. It's weird like that.
There was a lot of me showing my teeth, biting having the ortho feeling around as I bit down.
What I learned in the process was that every office had a unique atmosphere. Each ortho had a different way of explaining my condition and treatment plan. I also got to see the other patients and how busy the office was. I also met the assistants and front staff. Everything factored into my decision. When I found my office I was sure right away and everything about it reassured me. Some offices I didn't like/hated I also recognized right away. It's weird like that.
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SinkFullOfDinner
- Posts: 273
- Joined: Mon May 23, 2016 2:25 pm
Re: Consultation
I don't want to sound too cynical about their "leave time to start right away" advice, but any time an ortho allows a prospective patient to walk out the door, they might never see them again. So of course they'd like everyone to sign on the dotted line the same day. Just be careful of the hard (or soft) sell.
imo, I'd really recommend getting at least a second opinion. You'll learn a lot at the first consult, and you'll think of questions afterward that you wished you'd asked. I know I was a more knowledgeable "interviewer" after the initial one. You might learn more at the second one, or discover an approach that you prefer, or you might find that it just reinforces what you already like about the first place. Either way, it will help you feel confident in whatever decision you wind up making. Take your time. It's an important decision. And on that note, good luck with whatever decision you make!
imo, I'd really recommend getting at least a second opinion. You'll learn a lot at the first consult, and you'll think of questions afterward that you wished you'd asked. I know I was a more knowledgeable "interviewer" after the initial one. You might learn more at the second one, or discover an approach that you prefer, or you might find that it just reinforces what you already like about the first place. Either way, it will help you feel confident in whatever decision you wind up making. Take your time. It's an important decision. And on that note, good luck with whatever decision you make!
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sacktheqb65
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2017 4:38 pm
Re: Consultation
Thank you so much for your responses!
I had one more question... i know i dont want invisalign because i think i would be lazy about wearing it. His website says clear and metal are the same price but i had convonced myself i would be ok with clear only being on top to save money, to the point that i actually think i WANT metal on the bottom. Would it be strange to actually request clear on top and metal on bottom?
I had one more question... i know i dont want invisalign because i think i would be lazy about wearing it. His website says clear and metal are the same price but i had convonced myself i would be ok with clear only being on top to save money, to the point that i actually think i WANT metal on the bottom. Would it be strange to actually request clear on top and metal on bottom?
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Tyrantblade
- Posts: 681
- Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2014 5:22 pm
Re: Consultation
It might seem weird given the same cost, but as they say; the customer is right (well patient this time), so you are free to choose from the options they have as long as it is a treatment that will work well (and clear or metal braces both would work the same).sacktheqb65 wrote:Thank you so much for your responses!
I had one more question... i know i dont want invisalign because i think i would be lazy about wearing it. His website says clear and metal are the same price but i had convonced myself i would be ok with clear only being on top to save money, to the point that i actually think i WANT metal on the bottom. Would it be strange to actually request clear on top and metal on bottom?
Lots of crimes here
1. The upper molars bite too far ahead of the lower molars
2. Missing teeth #s 9, 14, and, 29
3. Open bite
4. Upper midline left of center
5. Lower midline right of center
6. Upper and lower teeth not straight
Sentence - 24 months, turned to 27 month.
Braces removed since 11/06/17
1. The upper molars bite too far ahead of the lower molars
2. Missing teeth #s 9, 14, and, 29
3. Open bite
4. Upper midline left of center
5. Lower midline right of center
6. Upper and lower teeth not straight
Sentence - 24 months, turned to 27 month.
Braces removed since 11/06/17
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bracedengineer
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2017 8:06 am
Re: Consultation
I agree with the comment above about getting multiple consults because you will come up with additional questions. Also, in my case specifically, I loved the first place atmosphere but the second place i went to had, what i consider, a better treatment plan. And I don't think it's weird to ask for metal on bottom and clear on top. I think a good amount of people do that.