Would it be rude to ask my orthodontist how she’s keeping track of my teeth?

[Ddetterline2]

I’m suppose to be getting jaw surgery in a year we are 6 months in my bite looks so much worst (I know that’s suppose to happen). Although what is concerning to me is I’m not sure how she is keeping track of my progress she’s never made a mold, she’s only taken x-rays and she doesn’t tighten my braces herself and doesn’t even look or check for progress. When I ask her questions about my progress she gets aggravated and tell me to be patient. I really wanna know how she’s keeping track of my progress would it be rude to ask?

[Ddetterline2]

Also when I asked her about how my progress is going are said we are in the beginning stage.... how is that possible 6 months in a one year treatment plan?

[wendydong]

I am in a similar boat. I am about 5 months into my braces, and my bite is much worse. And I am experiencing much worse TMJ.

My teeth are pretty OK to me to begin with. But I'm always bothered by some crowding in my bottom... So I had my ex general dentist sold me on invisalign. But in reality, he sold me the invisalign express deal (only 10 packets of braces). My crooked bottom teeth never really moved..

Then about 5,6 months after invisalign, I started having TMJ problems.

Then I went to a new dentist and she gave me a custom made night guard and told me to get a refund from my previous dentist...

After about a year of nightguard, my TMJ gotten a lot better. So i went to consultations with two different orthos. Both said Invisalign would work but need about many more trays and about a year and half. One of the ortho said that braces may provide a better result because I need some molar rotation.

So i went with the ortho that said braces would be better.

Now after 5 months in braces, all he did was change out a wire. I am on my second set of wires for about 2 months now. Lower teeth crowding is better, but my upper teeth are actually slanted more than before and my two upper teeth in the middle actually flare out. My TMJ problem has flared up again and I am in constant TMJ pain for the past couple weeks.

For my next week's regular appt, he's suppose to be taking my xray again, and work on my bite...

I am so frustrated. I am beginning to think dentistry is so much sh*t! I should have just been happy with my original teeth.

[jwbraces]

I think it's a valid question. I notice my ortho taking notes in a computer when I'm in there. I think he also must compare my teeth now to my old x-rays or pictures as he said he's seeing good progress already. They are also good at telling me what the next step will be for my next appointment. I did explicitly ask what the plan for the next appointment would be, so maybe you could try that too. Maybe asking more specific questions would help.

[assertives]

I personally don't think there are any questions regarding your treatment that one shouldn't ask their ortho. But that said, perhaps you need to consider what kind of response you are hoping to get from that question.

If you asked exactly as your post title indicates and you get a "via <insert name of e-medical record system/technology here>" kind of answer, it's not going to be very helpful. Also, she may interpret it as an accusation that she's not doing a proper job or you doubting her abilities, which may result in her going on the defensive which would also get nowhere.

I agree with jwbraces that perhaps asking more specific questions would help.