Re: I may quit before I start Just beginning-How long until they start?-

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb!

Orthodontists seem to like to do things differently. I saw several

Orthodontists before I chose one and began treatment. One of them

reminds me of what you are going through.

He wanted me to sign on, and instantly commit to the surgery, he

actually refused to work on my teeth if I refused surgery. He had me

visit an oral surgeon before I began the braces. I was lucky enough

to actually get in and see the surgeon the same day I called him, but

I left feeling like I was wasting his time. It was a really

unpleasant experience for me.

I decided that I really wasn't comfortable with the surgery idea,

mostly because of the way the surgeon I saw acted when I was there, so

I saw another Orthodontist. He offered to start the braces and see

what could be done without surgery, and then revisit the idea when it

was time to either take off the braces or move forward with getting

surgery.

I opted for the other Orthodontist. It took a few months to come up

with the money to pay the down payment for the braces, and then

another 4 months before I had a full mouth full (because of my

overbite, he couldn't fit lowers on until they moved my uppers forward

a bit), and 13 months before he sat me down to discuss the surgery again.

That was in April this year. My surgery is finally scheduled for the

24th of this month. That will be about 18 months of braces (and an

additional 5 months without them, counting the time from my first

Orthodontist visit and the day my braces were put on).

The hold up from April until now was mostly dealing with insurance

issues. My orthodontist paused treatment until he knew whether or not

I would be able to go forward, so as soon as my insurance approved (3

months of haggling for that), he continued the adjustments in my teeth

to prep for surgery, and that took a couple more months to get right.

And, I'm very lucky I got a date as soon as I did, my OS is booked

until fall at this point, and he actually set aside a date he doesn't

normally do surgeries on just to get me in this month.

So, in my experience the whole thing takes time. It's frustrating

having to wait and wait and wait, but from everything I've been

through so far, and from what I read about on these boards it'll be

worth it.

Not all Orthodontists will want you to see the surgeon before you

start braces, if you're not comfortable with the current situation,

see what another Orthodontist thinks you should do. Get several opinions.

-Jen

> I met my new dentist a few months ago and he started me to have hope

> of changing my jaws and teeth alignment and told me about ortho-

> nagic surgery, however, he has sent me off to all these other

> specialists and time is ticking away, it has been months, they all

> went on vacation etc and really, nothing has been done to me except

> take xrays and photos etc impressions, I would think if I had

> already started the braces or whatever the first step would be, I

> would be closer to the surgery, but now almost 4 months have been

> wasted and I am close to 50 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why are they

> waiting soooo long? It will be 7 more weeks until a consultation

> with the oral surgeon and his nurse said she knows NOT why I had to

> see him before they start on my splint???? Please help me in this

> confusion, I am reading what you all are going through AFTER

> surgery, what about BEFORE any of it all? I'm ready to quit before I

> start!!!!!!!!!!!-Barb

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb!

Orthodontists seem to like to do things differently. I saw several

Orthodontists before I chose one and began treatment. One of them

reminds me of what you are going through.

He wanted me to sign on, and instantly commit to the surgery, he

actually refused to work on my teeth if I refused surgery. He had me

visit an oral surgeon before I began the braces. I was lucky enough

to actually get in and see the surgeon the same day I called him, but

I left feeling like I was wasting his time. It was a really

unpleasant experience for me.

I decided that I really wasn't comfortable with the surgery idea,

mostly because of the way the surgeon I saw acted when I was there, so

I saw another Orthodontist. He offered to start the braces and see

what could be done without surgery, and then revisit the idea when it

was time to either take off the braces or move forward with getting

surgery.

I opted for the other Orthodontist. It took a few months to come up

with the money to pay the down payment for the braces, and then

another 4 months before I had a full mouth full (because of my

overbite, he couldn't fit lowers on until they moved my uppers forward

a bit), and 13 months before he sat me down to discuss the surgery again.

That was in April this year. My surgery is finally scheduled for the

24th of this month. That will be about 18 months of braces (and an

additional 5 months without them, counting the time from my first

Orthodontist visit and the day my braces were put on).

The hold up from April until now was mostly dealing with insurance

issues. My orthodontist paused treatment until he knew whether or not

I would be able to go forward, so as soon as my insurance approved (3

months of haggling for that), he continued the adjustments in my teeth

to prep for surgery, and that took a couple more months to get right.

And, I'm very lucky I got a date as soon as I did, my OS is booked

until fall at this point, and he actually set aside a date he doesn't

normally do surgeries on just to get me in this month.

So, in my experience the whole thing takes time. It's frustrating

having to wait and wait and wait, but from everything I've been

through so far, and from what I read about on these boards it'll be

worth it.

Not all Orthodontists will want you to see the surgeon before you

start braces, if you're not comfortable with the current situation,

see what another Orthodontist thinks you should do. Get several opinions.

-Jen

> I met my new dentist a few months ago and he started me to have hope

> of changing my jaws and teeth alignment and told me about ortho-

> nagic surgery, however, he has sent me off to all these other

> specialists and time is ticking away, it has been months, they all

> went on vacation etc and really, nothing has been done to me except

> take xrays and photos etc impressions, I would think if I had

> already started the braces or whatever the first step would be, I

> would be closer to the surgery, but now almost 4 months have been

> wasted and I am close to 50 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why are they

> waiting soooo long? It will be 7 more weeks until a consultation

> with the oral surgeon and his nurse said she knows NOT why I had to

> see him before they start on my splint???? Please help me in this

> confusion, I am reading what you all are going through AFTER

> surgery, what about BEFORE any of it all? I'm ready to quit before I

> start!!!!!!!!!!!-Barb

[Guest guest]

You're getting your first lessons in the patience that all this

requires.

I first learned (I was 56 at the time) that I needed the ortho in

December 2001. I saw the ortho the first time in January, and was

told about the surgery. He wanted me to wait to see the oral surgeon

first, before he'd install the appliances, but I pushed and pushed,

once I figured out that I'd need the braces anyhow, whether I did the

surgery or not. For me, there were enough preliminary things the

ortho had to do before we got to a point of decision that he agreed

to start (your situation may be different; they generally position

the teeth differently pre-op than they would if you weren't going to

have the surgery), so he agreed, and the braces were installed in

February. I couldn't see the oral surgeon until March. I had a

whopping lot of leveling and aligning that had to be done before we

could even think a lot about fixing the bite.

I was in the braces until October 2002, had surgery in June 2002. But

nobody's going to do the surgery (and you don't want anybody to do

so) before your teeth are in the proper places.

Mercifully, I didn't have to deal with vacations, but I imagine that

in your case, the summer months didn't help -- that's often the oral

surgeon's busiest season, because everybody's trying to get stuff

done (like wizzie removal) before school starts.

Don't give up, though, if you know this is the path you want. Call

your ortho's office and tell them what you've told us -- that you

really want to get started with some of this stuff. Or, as I did,

write him a letter -- I think that has a better chance of reaching

him and actually getting his attention. If that fails, call and ask

for another appointment to talk with him. And then ask him to explain

to you why you can't at least get started.

You're still far away from being too old. When I had surgery, my

surgeon's eldest patient who'd had orthognathic surgery had been 62

years old.

best,

Cammie

> I met my new dentist a few months ago and he started me to have

hope

> of changing my jaws and teeth alignment and told me about ortho-

> nagic surgery, however, he has sent me off to all these other

> specialists and time is ticking away, it has been months, they all

> went on vacation etc and really, nothing has been done to me except

> take xrays and photos etc impressions, I would think if I had

> already started the braces or whatever the first step would be, I

> would be closer to the surgery, but now almost 4 months have been

> wasted and I am close to 50 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why are they

> waiting soooo long? It will be 7 more weeks until a consultation

> with the oral surgeon and his nurse said she knows NOT why I had to

> see him before they start on my splint???? Please help me in this

> confusion, I am reading what you all are going through AFTER

> surgery, what about BEFORE any of it all? I'm ready to quit before

I

> start!!!!!!!!!!!-Barb

[Guest guest]

You're getting your first lessons in the patience that all this

requires.

I first learned (I was 56 at the time) that I needed the ortho in

December 2001. I saw the ortho the first time in January, and was

told about the surgery. He wanted me to wait to see the oral surgeon

first, before he'd install the appliances, but I pushed and pushed,

once I figured out that I'd need the braces anyhow, whether I did the

surgery or not. For me, there were enough preliminary things the

ortho had to do before we got to a point of decision that he agreed

to start (your situation may be different; they generally position

the teeth differently pre-op than they would if you weren't going to

have the surgery), so he agreed, and the braces were installed in

February. I couldn't see the oral surgeon until March. I had a

whopping lot of leveling and aligning that had to be done before we

could even think a lot about fixing the bite.

I was in the braces until October 2002, had surgery in June 2002. But

nobody's going to do the surgery (and you don't want anybody to do

so) before your teeth are in the proper places.

Mercifully, I didn't have to deal with vacations, but I imagine that

in your case, the summer months didn't help -- that's often the oral

surgeon's busiest season, because everybody's trying to get stuff

done (like wizzie removal) before school starts.

Don't give up, though, if you know this is the path you want. Call

your ortho's office and tell them what you've told us -- that you

really want to get started with some of this stuff. Or, as I did,

write him a letter -- I think that has a better chance of reaching

him and actually getting his attention. If that fails, call and ask

for another appointment to talk with him. And then ask him to explain

to you why you can't at least get started.

You're still far away from being too old. When I had surgery, my

surgeon's eldest patient who'd had orthognathic surgery had been 62

years old.

best,

Cammie

> I met my new dentist a few months ago and he started me to have

hope

> of changing my jaws and teeth alignment and told me about ortho-

> nagic surgery, however, he has sent me off to all these other

> specialists and time is ticking away, it has been months, they all

> went on vacation etc and really, nothing has been done to me except

> take xrays and photos etc impressions, I would think if I had

> already started the braces or whatever the first step would be, I

> would be closer to the surgery, but now almost 4 months have been

> wasted and I am close to 50 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why are they

> waiting soooo long? It will be 7 more weeks until a consultation

> with the oral surgeon and his nurse said she knows NOT why I had to

> see him before they start on my splint???? Please help me in this

> confusion, I am reading what you all are going through AFTER

> surgery, what about BEFORE any of it all? I'm ready to quit before

I

> start!!!!!!!!!!!-Barb

[Guest guest]

You might see your regular dentist, too, or call him and be vocal

about your frustration. Usually both oral surgeons and ortho's want

to take very good care of and be responsive to the general dentists

who refer patients to them. For good reason -- that's how they get

most of their business, and that's who keeps their offices busy!

Cammie

> I met my new dentist a few months ago and he started me to have

hope

> of changing my jaws and teeth alignment and told me about ortho-

> nagic surgery, however, he has sent me off to all these other

> specialists and time is ticking away, it has been months, they all

> went on vacation etc and really, nothing has been done to me except

> take xrays and photos etc impressions, I would think if I had

> already started the braces or whatever the first step would be, I

> would be closer to the surgery, but now almost 4 months have been

> wasted and I am close to 50 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why are they

> waiting soooo long? It will be 7 more weeks until a consultation

> with the oral surgeon and his nurse said she knows NOT why I had to

> see him before they start on my splint???? Please help me in this

> confusion, I am reading what you all are going through AFTER

> surgery, what about BEFORE any of it all? I'm ready to quit before

I

> start!!!!!!!!!!!-Barb

[Guest guest]

You might see your regular dentist, too, or call him and be vocal

about your frustration. Usually both oral surgeons and ortho's want

to take very good care of and be responsive to the general dentists

who refer patients to them. For good reason -- that's how they get

most of their business, and that's who keeps their offices busy!

Cammie

> I met my new dentist a few months ago and he started me to have

hope

> of changing my jaws and teeth alignment and told me about ortho-

> nagic surgery, however, he has sent me off to all these other

> specialists and time is ticking away, it has been months, they all

> went on vacation etc and really, nothing has been done to me except

> take xrays and photos etc impressions, I would think if I had

> already started the braces or whatever the first step would be, I

> would be closer to the surgery, but now almost 4 months have been

> wasted and I am close to 50 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why are they

> waiting soooo long? It will be 7 more weeks until a consultation

> with the oral surgeon and his nurse said she knows NOT why I had to

> see him before they start on my splint???? Please help me in this

> confusion, I am reading what you all are going through AFTER

> surgery, what about BEFORE any of it all? I'm ready to quit before

I

> start!!!!!!!!!!!-Barb

[Guest guest]

Those are all good options, Jen.

And my surgeon even told me that if I didn't want the surgery, it

would be a legitimate option to return to the orthodontist and tell

him that, that I was (and am) prepared to wear the retainers forever,

and just to do the best he could for me.

The reason I chose to have the surgery is that every one of the five

dentists I consulted about it told me that it offered the best chance

of long-term retention of the changes the ortho had made. But I

believe the ortho alone could have made a huge difference for me,

even if I hadn't had the surgery. All that said, I'm glad I went for

the whole thing, did the best I could by it, and am now enjoying a

much improved mouth, from both visual and health standpoints.

Cammie

> Hi Barb!

>

> Orthodontists seem to like to do things differently. I saw several

> Orthodontists before I chose one and began treatment. One of them

> reminds me of what you are going through.

>

> He wanted me to sign on, and instantly commit to the surgery, he

> actually refused to work on my teeth if I refused surgery. He had

me

> visit an oral surgeon before I began the braces. I was lucky enough

> to actually get in and see the surgeon the same day I called him,

but

> I left feeling like I was wasting his time. It was a really

> unpleasant experience for me.

>

> I decided that I really wasn't comfortable with the surgery idea,

> mostly because of the way the surgeon I saw acted when I was there,

so

> I saw another Orthodontist. He offered to start the braces and see

> what could be done without surgery, and then revisit the idea when

it

> was time to either take off the braces or move forward with getting

> surgery.

>

> I opted for the other Orthodontist. It took a few months to come up

> with the money to pay the down payment for the braces, and then

> another 4 months before I had a full mouth full (because of my

> overbite, he couldn't fit lowers on until they moved my uppers

forward

> a bit), and 13 months before he sat me down to discuss the surgery

again.

>

> That was in April this year. My surgery is finally scheduled for

the

> 24th of this month. That will be about 18 months of braces (and an

> additional 5 months without them, counting the time from my first

> Orthodontist visit and the day my braces were put on).

>

> The hold up from April until now was mostly dealing with insurance

> issues. My orthodontist paused treatment until he knew whether or

not

> I would be able to go forward, so as soon as my insurance approved

(3

> months of haggling for that), he continued the adjustments in my

teeth

> to prep for surgery, and that took a couple more months to get

right.

> And, I'm very lucky I got a date as soon as I did, my OS is booked

> until fall at this point, and he actually set aside a date he

doesn't

> normally do surgeries on just to get me in this month.

>

> So, in my experience the whole thing takes time. It's frustrating

> having to wait and wait and wait, but from everything I've been

> through so far, and from what I read about on these boards it'll be

> worth it.

>

> Not all Orthodontists will want you to see the surgeon before you

> start braces, if you're not comfortable with the current situation,

> see what another Orthodontist thinks you should do. Get several

opinions.

>

> -Jen

[Guest guest]

Those are all good options, Jen.

And my surgeon even told me that if I didn't want the surgery, it

would be a legitimate option to return to the orthodontist and tell

him that, that I was (and am) prepared to wear the retainers forever,

and just to do the best he could for me.

The reason I chose to have the surgery is that every one of the five

dentists I consulted about it told me that it offered the best chance

of long-term retention of the changes the ortho had made. But I

believe the ortho alone could have made a huge difference for me,

even if I hadn't had the surgery. All that said, I'm glad I went for

the whole thing, did the best I could by it, and am now enjoying a

much improved mouth, from both visual and health standpoints.

Cammie

> Hi Barb!

>

> Orthodontists seem to like to do things differently. I saw several

> Orthodontists before I chose one and began treatment. One of them

> reminds me of what you are going through.

>

> He wanted me to sign on, and instantly commit to the surgery, he

> actually refused to work on my teeth if I refused surgery. He had

me

> visit an oral surgeon before I began the braces. I was lucky enough

> to actually get in and see the surgeon the same day I called him,

but

> I left feeling like I was wasting his time. It was a really

> unpleasant experience for me.

>

> I decided that I really wasn't comfortable with the surgery idea,

> mostly because of the way the surgeon I saw acted when I was there,

so

> I saw another Orthodontist. He offered to start the braces and see

> what could be done without surgery, and then revisit the idea when

it

> was time to either take off the braces or move forward with getting

> surgery.

>

> I opted for the other Orthodontist. It took a few months to come up

> with the money to pay the down payment for the braces, and then

> another 4 months before I had a full mouth full (because of my

> overbite, he couldn't fit lowers on until they moved my uppers

forward

> a bit), and 13 months before he sat me down to discuss the surgery

again.

>

> That was in April this year. My surgery is finally scheduled for

the

> 24th of this month. That will be about 18 months of braces (and an

> additional 5 months without them, counting the time from my first

> Orthodontist visit and the day my braces were put on).

>

> The hold up from April until now was mostly dealing with insurance

> issues. My orthodontist paused treatment until he knew whether or

not

> I would be able to go forward, so as soon as my insurance approved

(3

> months of haggling for that), he continued the adjustments in my

teeth

> to prep for surgery, and that took a couple more months to get

right.

> And, I'm very lucky I got a date as soon as I did, my OS is booked

> until fall at this point, and he actually set aside a date he

doesn't

> normally do surgeries on just to get me in this month.

>

> So, in my experience the whole thing takes time. It's frustrating

> having to wait and wait and wait, but from everything I've been

> through so far, and from what I read about on these boards it'll be

> worth it.

>

> Not all Orthodontists will want you to see the surgeon before you

> start braces, if you're not comfortable with the current situation,

> see what another Orthodontist thinks you should do. Get several

opinions.

>

> -Jen

[Guest guest]

My regular dentist and surgeon were great. The big hold-up with me

was the orthodontist. Call me bitter, but I've got a couple issues

with the guy. Not all are spelled out here.

I'd already paid my deposit and was already paying on my payment plan

a few months before he managed to find the time to put on my braces.

Then, as my teeth became ready and we neared the one year, my ortho

appointments were pushed further and further apart, sometimes 10

weeks apart. More often, I'd have to leave work early, spend an hour

traveling to the office, wait, and then they would do NOTHIGN with my

braces. Fun right?

It was supposed to be a year of braces before surgery. But I had to

wait 60% longer in order for my ortho to pronounce me ready.

Apparently I wasnt " ready " until a week or two after my last check

was sent in.

Now Im waiting for my retainer. He told me it would be one month.

That was three months ago. Im still trying/waiting for the

retainers. Maybe after they get back from vacation theyll make them.

I think orthodontists get away with this because they know its so

hard and expenseive to switch. They get you captive. I dont know

about anyone else, but my treatment plan/payment plan didnt give me

any rights whatsoever. It was just there to make sure the ortho gets

every dollar he asks for. Oh, and so he doesnt get sued.

Another thing that p!$$ed me off so much. I mean, I went to that

orthodontist because they told me they had night and weekend

appointments. A couple months in, they had NO no night or weekend

appointments. All this means that, the longer the braces get dragged

out, the more work I have to miss, and the more my boss scowls at me.

Rant over.

> I met my new dentist a few months ago and he started me to have

hope

> of changing my jaws and teeth alignment and told me about ortho-

> nagic surgery, however, he has sent me off to all these other

> specialists and time is ticking away, it has been months, they all

> went on vacation etc and really, nothing has been done to me except

> take xrays and photos etc impressions, I would think if I had

> already started the braces or whatever the first step would be, I

> would be closer to the surgery, but now almost 4 months have been

> wasted and I am close to 50 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why are they

> waiting soooo long? It will be 7 more weeks until a consultation

> with the oral surgeon and his nurse said she knows NOT why I had to

> see him before they start on my splint???? Please help me in this

> confusion, I am reading what you all are going through AFTER

> surgery, what about BEFORE any of it all? I'm ready to quit before

I

> start!!!!!!!!!!!-Barb

[Guest guest]

My regular dentist and surgeon were great. The big hold-up with me

was the orthodontist. Call me bitter, but I've got a couple issues

with the guy. Not all are spelled out here.

I'd already paid my deposit and was already paying on my payment plan

a few months before he managed to find the time to put on my braces.

Then, as my teeth became ready and we neared the one year, my ortho

appointments were pushed further and further apart, sometimes 10

weeks apart. More often, I'd have to leave work early, spend an hour

traveling to the office, wait, and then they would do NOTHIGN with my

braces. Fun right?

It was supposed to be a year of braces before surgery. But I had to

wait 60% longer in order for my ortho to pronounce me ready.

Apparently I wasnt " ready " until a week or two after my last check

was sent in.

Now Im waiting for my retainer. He told me it would be one month.

That was three months ago. Im still trying/waiting for the

retainers. Maybe after they get back from vacation theyll make them.

I think orthodontists get away with this because they know its so

hard and expenseive to switch. They get you captive. I dont know

about anyone else, but my treatment plan/payment plan didnt give me

any rights whatsoever. It was just there to make sure the ortho gets

every dollar he asks for. Oh, and so he doesnt get sued.

Another thing that p!$$ed me off so much. I mean, I went to that

orthodontist because they told me they had night and weekend

appointments. A couple months in, they had NO no night or weekend

appointments. All this means that, the longer the braces get dragged

out, the more work I have to miss, and the more my boss scowls at me.

Rant over.

> I met my new dentist a few months ago and he started me to have

hope

> of changing my jaws and teeth alignment and told me about ortho-

> nagic surgery, however, he has sent me off to all these other

> specialists and time is ticking away, it has been months, they all

> went on vacation etc and really, nothing has been done to me except

> take xrays and photos etc impressions, I would think if I had

> already started the braces or whatever the first step would be, I

> would be closer to the surgery, but now almost 4 months have been

> wasted and I am close to 50 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why are they

> waiting soooo long? It will be 7 more weeks until a consultation

> with the oral surgeon and his nurse said she knows NOT why I had to

> see him before they start on my splint???? Please help me in this

> confusion, I am reading what you all are going through AFTER

> surgery, what about BEFORE any of it all? I'm ready to quit before

I

> start!!!!!!!!!!!-Barb

[Guest guest]

I'd say that's worthy of a rant.

Nobody is any busier than my ortho, who's been in a one-man practice

forever and practices in multiple locations across the large county

in which I live. He's worked on the mouths of just about everybody

I've asked in that county -- almost literally. But he did lots better

by me than your guy did by you.

I do think they probably have certain times of year that are busier

than others, and generally they tried to schedule my appointments

when they weren't overrun with school kids, I think (both so the kids

wouldn't have to miss school, and because they were sensitive to the

idea that a 56-year-old felt a little odd, at least at first, being

surrounded by a ring of 12-year-olds who were further along than she

was! They also knew that I had considerable lattitude from my boss

about comings and goings, with which I am indeed blessed.)

As for sometimes doing nothing to the braces, I think that could be

legit. They didn't really do nothing, I presume; the doc and his

techs checked to see how things were going and decided that no

changes were appropriate at that time. I also had really varying time

lengths between appointments. Except for when I had the surgery, I

don't remember any that were as long as 10 weeks, but my teeth do

really scoot. And estimates of ortho treatment time are notoriously

variable in their resemblance to what actually happens -- although my

man was absolutely on the money.

The one that would have sent me over the moon, though, is the

business of THREE MONTHS WAIT for a retainer. I was told that it

wouldn't hurt me to go a day without mine, but that under no

circumstances should I ever let the time lapse as much as a week.

As I said, my teeth scoot, still. I still use the retainers 14 hours

a day, and that's two years plus after surgery. Perhaps yours are

slower, and are more stable. But I swear, I think I'd be calling his

office every day. I'd also be doing a lot of talking about him to my

general dentist and surgeon, and ask for their help in getting the

retainers out of him.

Now on this next part: I'm certainly not suggesting that you engage

in a campaign of libel and slander against this fellow, or try to put

him out of business. But it's perfectly legit to be sure that

everybody you know, or who asks you for a suggestion about an ortho,

um, say for themselves, or their children (having seen your gorgeous

new smile, of course!) knows this man's name, and that you had issues

with him. Be VERY CAREFUL not to malign him in any way -- just tell

them a few choice bits of the truth. The word of mouth can be

powerful, and it would be a kindness to spare them the kind of

treatment you received.

And how about making an appointment with your OS to ask him to look

at your bite and see whether anything has been compromised by the

months without the retainer? (Or your general dentist, if he's up to

it.) If such is the case, that's a whole nother can of worms, as we

say, and you should have some legal remedies available, I'd think --

as a total layman.

I'm sorry you had such a sorry ortho.

Cammie

> My regular dentist and surgeon were great. The big hold-up with me

> was the orthodontist. Call me bitter, but I've got a couple issues

> with the guy. Not all are spelled out here.

>

> I'd already paid my deposit and was already paying on my payment

plan

> a few months before he managed to find the time to put on my braces.

>

> Then, as my teeth became ready and we neared the one year, my ortho

> appointments were pushed further and further apart, sometimes 10

> weeks apart. More often, I'd have to leave work early, spend an

hour

> traveling to the office, wait, and then they would do NOTHIGN with

my

> braces. Fun right?

>

> It was supposed to be a year of braces before surgery. But I had

to

> wait 60% longer in order for my ortho to pronounce me ready.

> Apparently I wasnt " ready " until a week or two after my last check

> was sent in.

>

> Now Im waiting for my retainer. He told me it would be one month.

> That was three months ago. Im still trying/waiting for the

> retainers. Maybe after they get back from vacation theyll make them.

>

> I think orthodontists get away with this because they know its so

> hard and expenseive to switch. They get you captive. I dont know

> about anyone else, but my treatment plan/payment plan didnt give me

> any rights whatsoever. It was just there to make sure the ortho

gets

> every dollar he asks for. Oh, and so he doesnt get sued.

>

> Another thing that p!$$ed me off so much. I mean, I went to that

> orthodontist because they told me they had night and weekend

> appointments. A couple months in, they had NO no night or weekend

> appointments. All this means that, the longer the braces get

dragged

> out, the more work I have to miss, and the more my boss scowls at

me.

>

> Rant over.

[Guest guest]

I'd say that's worthy of a rant.

Nobody is any busier than my ortho, who's been in a one-man practice

forever and practices in multiple locations across the large county

in which I live. He's worked on the mouths of just about everybody

I've asked in that county -- almost literally. But he did lots better

by me than your guy did by you.

I do think they probably have certain times of year that are busier

than others, and generally they tried to schedule my appointments

when they weren't overrun with school kids, I think (both so the kids

wouldn't have to miss school, and because they were sensitive to the

idea that a 56-year-old felt a little odd, at least at first, being

surrounded by a ring of 12-year-olds who were further along than she

was! They also knew that I had considerable lattitude from my boss

about comings and goings, with which I am indeed blessed.)

As for sometimes doing nothing to the braces, I think that could be

legit. They didn't really do nothing, I presume; the doc and his

techs checked to see how things were going and decided that no

changes were appropriate at that time. I also had really varying time

lengths between appointments. Except for when I had the surgery, I

don't remember any that were as long as 10 weeks, but my teeth do

really scoot. And estimates of ortho treatment time are notoriously

variable in their resemblance to what actually happens -- although my

man was absolutely on the money.

The one that would have sent me over the moon, though, is the

business of THREE MONTHS WAIT for a retainer. I was told that it

wouldn't hurt me to go a day without mine, but that under no

circumstances should I ever let the time lapse as much as a week.

As I said, my teeth scoot, still. I still use the retainers 14 hours

a day, and that's two years plus after surgery. Perhaps yours are

slower, and are more stable. But I swear, I think I'd be calling his

office every day. I'd also be doing a lot of talking about him to my

general dentist and surgeon, and ask for their help in getting the

retainers out of him.

Now on this next part: I'm certainly not suggesting that you engage

in a campaign of libel and slander against this fellow, or try to put

him out of business. But it's perfectly legit to be sure that

everybody you know, or who asks you for a suggestion about an ortho,

um, say for themselves, or their children (having seen your gorgeous

new smile, of course!) knows this man's name, and that you had issues

with him. Be VERY CAREFUL not to malign him in any way -- just tell

them a few choice bits of the truth. The word of mouth can be

powerful, and it would be a kindness to spare them the kind of

treatment you received.

And how about making an appointment with your OS to ask him to look

at your bite and see whether anything has been compromised by the

months without the retainer? (Or your general dentist, if he's up to

it.) If such is the case, that's a whole nother can of worms, as we

say, and you should have some legal remedies available, I'd think --

as a total layman.

I'm sorry you had such a sorry ortho.

Cammie

> My regular dentist and surgeon were great. The big hold-up with me

> was the orthodontist. Call me bitter, but I've got a couple issues

> with the guy. Not all are spelled out here.

>

> I'd already paid my deposit and was already paying on my payment

plan

> a few months before he managed to find the time to put on my braces.

>

> Then, as my teeth became ready and we neared the one year, my ortho

> appointments were pushed further and further apart, sometimes 10

> weeks apart. More often, I'd have to leave work early, spend an

hour

> traveling to the office, wait, and then they would do NOTHIGN with

my

> braces. Fun right?

>

> It was supposed to be a year of braces before surgery. But I had

to

> wait 60% longer in order for my ortho to pronounce me ready.

> Apparently I wasnt " ready " until a week or two after my last check

> was sent in.

>

> Now Im waiting for my retainer. He told me it would be one month.

> That was three months ago. Im still trying/waiting for the

> retainers. Maybe after they get back from vacation theyll make them.

>

> I think orthodontists get away with this because they know its so

> hard and expenseive to switch. They get you captive. I dont know

> about anyone else, but my treatment plan/payment plan didnt give me

> any rights whatsoever. It was just there to make sure the ortho

gets

> every dollar he asks for. Oh, and so he doesnt get sued.

>

> Another thing that p!$$ed me off so much. I mean, I went to that

> orthodontist because they told me they had night and weekend

> appointments. A couple months in, they had NO no night or weekend

> appointments. All this means that, the longer the braces get

dragged

> out, the more work I have to miss, and the more my boss scowls at

me.

>

> Rant over.

[Guest guest]

ceast,

I havent been running around without braces. They're STILL on.

Sigh.

> > My regular dentist and surgeon were great. The big hold-up with

me

> > was the orthodontist. Call me bitter, but I've got a couple

issues

> > with the guy. Not all are spelled out here.

> >

> > I'd already paid my deposit and was already paying on my payment

> plan

> > a few months before he managed to find the time to put on my

braces.

> >

> > Then, as my teeth became ready and we neared the one year, my

ortho

> > appointments were pushed further and further apart, sometimes 10

> > weeks apart. More often, I'd have to leave work early, spend an

> hour

> > traveling to the office, wait, and then they would do NOTHIGN

with

> my

> > braces. Fun right?

> >

> > It was supposed to be a year of braces before surgery. But I had

> to

> > wait 60% longer in order for my ortho to pronounce me ready.

> > Apparently I wasnt " ready " until a week or two after my last

check

> > was sent in.

> >

> > Now Im waiting for my retainer. He told me it would be one

month.

> > That was three months ago. Im still trying/waiting for the

> > retainers. Maybe after they get back from vacation theyll make

them.

> >

> > I think orthodontists get away with this because they know its so

> > hard and expenseive to switch. They get you captive. I dont

know

> > about anyone else, but my treatment plan/payment plan didnt give

me

> > any rights whatsoever. It was just there to make sure the ortho

> gets

> > every dollar he asks for. Oh, and so he doesnt get sued.

> >

> > Another thing that p!$$ed me off so much. I mean, I went to that

> > orthodontist because they told me they had night and weekend

> > appointments. A couple months in, they had NO no night or

weekend

> > appointments. All this means that, the longer the braces get

> dragged

> > out, the more work I have to miss, and the more my boss scowls at

> me.

> >

> > Rant over.

[Guest guest]

ceast,

I havent been running around without braces. They're STILL on.

Sigh.

> > My regular dentist and surgeon were great. The big hold-up with

me

> > was the orthodontist. Call me bitter, but I've got a couple

issues

> > with the guy. Not all are spelled out here.

> >

> > I'd already paid my deposit and was already paying on my payment

> plan

> > a few months before he managed to find the time to put on my

braces.

> >

> > Then, as my teeth became ready and we neared the one year, my

ortho

> > appointments were pushed further and further apart, sometimes 10

> > weeks apart. More often, I'd have to leave work early, spend an

> hour

> > traveling to the office, wait, and then they would do NOTHIGN

with

> my

> > braces. Fun right?

> >

> > It was supposed to be a year of braces before surgery. But I had

> to

> > wait 60% longer in order for my ortho to pronounce me ready.

> > Apparently I wasnt " ready " until a week or two after my last

check

> > was sent in.

> >

> > Now Im waiting for my retainer. He told me it would be one

month.

> > That was three months ago. Im still trying/waiting for the

> > retainers. Maybe after they get back from vacation theyll make

them.

> >

> > I think orthodontists get away with this because they know its so

> > hard and expenseive to switch. They get you captive. I dont

know

> > about anyone else, but my treatment plan/payment plan didnt give

me

> > any rights whatsoever. It was just there to make sure the ortho

> gets

> > every dollar he asks for. Oh, and so he doesnt get sued.

> >

> > Another thing that p!$$ed me off so much. I mean, I went to that

> > orthodontist because they told me they had night and weekend

> > appointments. A couple months in, they had NO no night or

weekend

> > appointments. All this means that, the longer the braces get

> dragged

> > out, the more work I have to miss, and the more my boss scowls at

> me.

> >

> > Rant over.

[Guest guest]

Only my point of view -- but yuck. Sorry. Hope you find better docs.

Fervently.

Cammie

> ceast,

>

> I havent been running around without braces. They're STILL on.

> Sigh.

>

[Guest guest]

Only my point of view -- but yuck. Sorry. Hope you find better docs.

Fervently.

Cammie

> ceast,

>

> I havent been running around without braces. They're STILL on.

> Sigh.

>