Can I bargain to get my braces off early?

[senecastudent]

In November 2015, I was quoted a 24 month treatment time, with orthodontic surgery right at the 12 month mark. Healing from that went better than expected and I'm in love with my new smile and jaw. Everything looks great and has looked great, in my mind, for several months, but my orthodontist is a perfectionist. Back in July he checked out my teeth and said that if we were already past the treatment plan (I.E. if it was November right now) he'd take my braces off, because he's quite happy with how they look, but he said we might as well go all the way to the end of November and make sure they're perfect. Which was ok, then.

But now, I have a massive job interview coming up in two weeks. I go in for an adjustment/debracing check tomorrow. Do you think it would be acceptable for me to just ask for my braces to be taken off a month earlier than planned so that I can go into my job interview braces-free? This is a career starting interview, not just any part-time job. Does anyone have any experience in this sort of situation, where you've asked your ortho to take them off early and they've complied?

[SinkFullOfDinner]

It sounds perfectly reasonable to me, but then again I'm considering requesting the same thing if my ortho starts signaling that he wants to tinker past the holidays. If your ortho almost removed them back in July and has only been putting touch ups on his masterpiece since then and you're happy with everything, then let it rip as long as he doesn't have a legit reason to wait! I can imagine wanting to walk into an important interview brace free when you're basically done anyway. Confidence is no little thing when it comes to interviews, and walking in with a huge smile starts off the unspoken communication the right way. Go get that job! Good luck!

(btw, if they aren't off in time, walk in with a big smile anyway. Trying to hide them for an entire interview will give off the wrong vibe. You'll probably get the offer either way, even if you've blinded them with your grill)

[djspeece]

It sounds perfectly reasonable to me, but then again I'm considering requesting the same thing if my ortho starts signaling that he wants to tinker past the holidays. If your ortho almost removed them back in July and has only been putting touch ups on his masterpiece since then and you're happy with everything, then let it rip as long as he doesn't have a legit reason to wait! I can imagine wanting to walk into an important interview brace free when you're basically done anyway. Confidence is no little thing when it comes to interviews, and walking in with a huge smile starts off the unspoken communication the right way. Go get that job! Good luck!

(btw, if they aren't off in time, walk in with a big smile anyway. Trying to hide them for an entire interview will give off the wrong vibe. You'll probably get the offer either way, even if you've blinded them with your grill)

Completely agree! Best of luck to you.

[turtle]

I think you should go for it! You should have the right to get them off, because you are the one paying for your treatment after all.

[Skullzrulerz]

I would just get them off there no reason not to?

[pteryxm]

Just make sure you've checked everything and you're happy - look for any opposing reasons as to why you shouldn't be taking it off just yet. Better safe than sorry otherwise go for it :)