Have you ever had a second opinion? (while already braced)

[BraceFace2o1o]

I am just wondering if anyone went for a 2nd opinion with another orthodontist towards the end of their treatment? I am curious and would like to ask a few questions...

1) Did you have to pay a consultation type fee for the appointment to hear their opinion?
2) Did they want you to get and pay for records (impressions/x-rays) before they would give their opinion? (or was it just a case of the ortho only looking in your mouth at your teeth and braces?)
3) If you decided to end treatment with your current ortho and started treatment with the new ortho, how much did they quote for the treatment? (did you have to pay for full braces again or was the price slightly reduced due to you not needing to be in them for as long as a patient who is just starting braces?)

I am just curious because I have some things bothering me and I feel a second opinion is the only thing right now that could help me clear some things up. If I was happy with the ortho, office and what they say I would be willing to switch my treatment to them but I wouldn't be able to afford the full price of braces again (like a new patient that has never had braces). I think that if the few minor things that are bothering me are corrected then I'll only need braces for about another 6 months.
I am currently paying nearly £3000 this included everything: initial consultation, impressions, x rays, appointments, retainers and retainer checks for 1 year etc. So if the new ortho charged new patients who have never been braced with esitimated treatment time of 18-24 months £3000 like my ortho does, I would not be able to afford it (I still have 5 payments before I'm finished paying for my current braces) and it would seem a bit much for just 6 months treatment. But saying that I do understand they are a business and it will of course cost me. If they wanted full price I would just have to leave it.

[RainbowWarrior]

Consultations here in the states are usually free. I had a second opinion, but it was before treatment. I just took copies of the first orthos x-rays to the new orthodontist and she gave me a free consult! I was very happy with her.

[Chaplains Assistant]

I had a second opion near the end of my treatment - unfortunately he said he would have to charge me to put damon braces on if switched to him becasue he doesn't use just the typical metal braces. He did the consultation for free and took xrays too. Good luck!

[BraceFace2o1o]

Hi RainbowWarrior and Chaplains Assistant and thank you for your replies

Consultations here in the states are usually free. I had a second opinion, but it was before treatment. I just took copies of the first orthos x-rays to the new orthodontist and she gave me a free consult! I was very happy with her.

I wish they were here in the UK too. I am sure somewhere in the UK they offer free consults, but from my time on brace forums I don't think I have ever read anyone in the UK who had a free initial consultation. Before I got braces I had 2 consults with 2 different orthos (1 of them is my current orthodontist) and I had to pay for both consults and they weren't cheap either... it can be expensive but I would recommend anyone who is looking for an orthodontist (but not already in braces) to have consultations with at least 2 different orthodontists. I wish I had had a 3rd now but at the time I didn't have much choice as there are only 3 orthodontists in my town.
I don't mind having to pay for an orthos time to give his opinion on my teeth right now

I had a second opion near the end of my treatment - unfortunately he said he would have to charge me to put damon braces on if switched to him becasue he doesn't use just the typical metal braces.

Did they charge you the same price they would a patient who has never had braces? I can understand them charging you when they are putting their own braces on instead of keeping the ones you had on at the time.

I have been in braces 20 months and I am almost done but have a few minor things I would like changed (my ortho disagrees so either I'm imagining it or he's not looking hard enough ), I estimate this would take no longer than 6 months to correct, maybe 12 months absolute max and I would be willing to pay the new orthodontist but not so keen on full price like someone just starting out who needs a lot of work and at least 18-24 months worth of treatment.

Did you decide to switch to this ortho or did you continue with the ortho you were already with?

[pearlyteeth]

As far as I know, initial consultation fee is usually free but if you were getting records like X-rays done, you need to pay for them. My old orthodontist said that if you transfer out prior to completion of treatment, a fee adjustment will be made reflecting work completed.

[BraceFace2o1o]

As far as I know, initial consultation fee is usually free but if you were getting records like X-rays done, you need to pay for them. My old orthodontist said that if you transfer out prior to completion of treatment, a fee adjustment will be made reflecting work completed.

I think in the UK we're just charged for absolutely everything . I have an appointment tomorrow so I can hear their opinion and it's costing me £100! (roughly about $155 USD). I do not think it includes anything, just them looking and talking to me lol... it's expensive seeing as I paid £130 for my consultation with my current ortho and that included x-rays and impressions.