First off, I wanted to thank Lynn for her ongoing support of us all and everything she has done to create such a warm family sharing the same concerns. This is such a great place-thanks again, Lynn. I have been reading for about 2-3 weeks now and there are some great regulars who offer support, as well as advice,-thanks to you guys too.
Dr. Rick, thank you for your help in letting me know what to do about closing my space; your advice helped me identify the orthodontist I am going to use. Dr. Rick, you are very passionate about your profession, helping others and it shows. To everyone else, I am glad to have you as a friend and family member.
Here is my story so far:
My ex-brother-in-law is a dentist and years ago when I was in my teens (47 now), he said that I needed to have a cross-bite addressed - never did. The rest of my teeth were pretty straight. Over the years, I did not take the best care of my mouth and this lead to two extractions, besides two wisdom teeth.
Fast forward to today, I need to have two bridges or one and an implant. My dentist said that it would be better if my teeth were straight and there were some other issues that were beginning to manifest themselves over the years.
Well, my cross bite is still there, along with a Class II malocclusion, an overbite and some crowding. After going through four orthos, I finally chose the one I am going to use. Dr. Rick, nothing against you, but I prefer female practiitioners.
In general, I feel there is a little more time given to understand the patient and a little more caring with a female practitioner. I have been involved in physical rehabilitation for a number of years and saw the same. I taught medical students interpersonal skills for 10 years and there were some great men in the programs and there were bad women coming through the ranks, but overall I would prefer a female practitioner. So much for that.
The following are all female ortho docs:
First ortho, no presentation, no education of the patient, no real "bedsidemanner", 15 minute evaluation. I nixed her from the beginning.
Second ortho, fancy office, friendly, SPAMS for the kids, 4-5 chairs (which seemed to be full, a video presentation which was given by the patient care coodinator, and then the Doc came in answered any questions, but not too personal. My dentist was put on hold for 10 minutes when calling to consult with her.
Third ortho, very friendly staff over the phone who got to know you. I walked into the office and the doc just happened to be at the front desk and greeted me. I then went in and met with the patient coordinator. She took pictures of my mouth (just an initial evaluation). The doc came in after that and was very personal, had some personal connections and seemed to be the best of the three. They had some great follow-up and referred me to three patients who had been seen by the doc.
The only problem was that the second ortho said she could close a lower extraction and the third definitely said no, so there was my dilemna. Dr. Rick supported the third Doc and I decided to go with the third but had an appointment with the fourth.
(I found out the third doc is on probation by the state, for what I don't know; but one can do a Freedom of Information and find out. It may just be bookkeeping or something like that.)
I went to the fourth ortho and WOW! I was there at 8AM and the office manager didn't get in until 9 and the assistant was working on someone else. The doc greeted me when I came in and then took me back and began the evaluation herself with the questionnaire and verbal consultation.
She got into me the patient and the person, shared herself, her schooling, her philosphy etc. She does not want to have ten chairs that are full all the time. She wants two at the most so she can know what is going on and be more hands-on. Her education was a complete package of what all three had told me and MORE (education of the patient is her number one priority and passion). If there is an emergency, she will attend to it at "...any time, I live only a mile away, but I might have to bring my four-year old".
I knew halfway through the evaluation that I had found my home and "local braces team members".
After this long diatribe, I am almost done. Dr. Amy proposes ceramics on the uppers and metal on the lowers. I will be in braces for 18-24 months, with another year or so for "direct" follow-up with retainers. I will also have a period of elastics on my right side.
I don't look forward to the pain; but I know it will be well worth it. With this group, a person can get through anything related to braces and I think even more-haha! I look forward to getting to meet some of you and participating in the forum.
I am scheduling an appointment for January to have my x-rays and molds taken and should be braced by early February or sooner. I am excited-can you tell-haha!?!
Thank you everyone for making this such a great site!
Steve
Chilly in St. Pete, FL
Soon-to-be braced in Early 2005
It shows the rest of us what "shopping around" can get you. It also will help anyone beginning to check into braces to possibly do their homework. Good going!