If you're not happy with private treatment, the best option is to check the terms and conditions of your contract to find out your rights. If you need to, you should make a complaint to your dental practice, escalating the issue if necessary through the practice's complaints process.
Full Answer
Are you going back to the orthodontist for braces?
The positive effects of an orthodontic treatment are so significant in the modern world, that many adults are now going back to the orthodontist for braces in order to correct malocclusion problems. Signs/Symptoms of Orthodontic Problems
What are the most common problems with orthodontic treatment?
Another problem is having a revolving door of orthodontists participate in completing your orthodontic treatment plan which can significantly delay and/or compromise your results. Orthodontists are trained in different schools and can have a wide range of treatments that they offer or refer which are based on their training and experience.
Do I need orthodontic treatment?
Cases of severe malocclusion require orthodontic treatment in order to restore proper mouth function, improve dental health or even just restore the patient’s self esteem. Dental problems caused by 'bad bite'
Should I go to two different orthodontists for the same problem?
In fact, if you go to two different orthodontists, you will very likely hear two different opinions about how to treat your teeth. If the orthodontist suggests invasive treatments, like pulling several teeth to create more space or jaw surgery, and you don't feel comfortable, it's a good idea to seek a second or even third opinion.
What to do if you are unhappy with orthodontic treatment?
Speak to the dental practice/dental professional providing the treatment. If you are unhappy with the treatment you have received, it is usually best to: speak directly to the dental professional concerned, or the practice that provided the treatment. explain why you are unhappy with the treatment.
What should you do when you're unhappy with the result after braces?
For these issues, standard metal braces are still the best option. If you have completed your orthodontic treatment and you are unhappy with your smile the first thing to do is share these feelings with your orthodontist. Every orthodontist wants their patients to feel happy and confident once treatment is completed.
Can you change orthodontist in the middle of treatment?
The answer is: yes, you can switch your orthodontist during treatment.
Can you get orthodontic treatment twice?
Adults Can Get Braces. If you haven't had the chance to get braces when you were younger, perhaps because of financial issues, it's never too late to get braces as an adult. Likewise, if you had braces before and the results did not last, you can get orthodontic treatment again.
What if I don't like how my teeth look after braces?
Settling – Your teeth might settle. Without the brackets and wires there to keep them in place, and even if you are wearing your retainer diligently, your teeth might still move. Don't worry, they're just settling and this is a normal and predicted part of getting your braces off. It's always for the better!
Can you get a refund on braces?
There are a few things you need to know about moving once you begin orthodontic treatment. First of all, you may be entitled to get a partial refund for your treatment if it is not totally paid off.
What happens if braces are not adjusted?
Without adjustments, your teeth will stop moving and treatment will not progress. You also need regular checkups while you wear braces to ensure that the orthodontist corrects any teeth that are not moving the way they should, or that any unanticipated problems can be addressed before they advance.
What happens if I switch orthodontists?
The Financial Aspect Of Transferring In Your fees should include the consultation, orthodontic records and continuation of treatment fees. You will also be charged a de-bonding fee to remove your current braces. This takes time in the office so you will be charged for this in most cases.
Can an orthodontist mess up your teeth?
Research has now proven that orthodontic movement of teeth through the constant force of braces will cause root damage in nearly 100% of patients. This means part of the roots are dissolved away by the orthodontic treatment and some teeth can be lost over time as a result.
Can braces fail?
While it's technically possible for braces to fail due to placement error, most instances of failure are caused by the user. It's not as though someone with braces will take deliberate action to make them fail, and failure is usually caused by inaction or ignoring specific aftercare instructions.
Do I have to wear retainers forever?
To maintain a straight smile for a lifetime, you're going to need to wear your retainers nightly for the rest of your life. The good news is, after some time it won't be necessary to wear them as often.
Can retainers close gaps?
The reason why retainers can't be used to close a gap is because they are fitted at the end of treatment and are made to fit the straight teeth mould. If they were done while you had a gap they would be made to fit your teeth in that specific way and would therefore not move them but just hold them how they are.
What is orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment is a way of straightening or moving teeth, to improve the appearance of the teeth and how they work. It can also help to look after the long-term health of your teeth, gums and jaw joints, by spreading the biting pressure over all your teeth.
How do I care for my brace and teeth?
It is important to keep having your teeth checked by your dental team while you are having orthodontic treatment. You also need to take extra care of your teeth and mouth:
Who carries out orthodontics?
Your dentist may carry out orthodontic treatment. Or they may send you to a specialist who has extra qualifications. The specialist may be in a practice or in a hospital department, and is called an orthodontist.
Will I need to have teeth taken out to make room?
You may not have enough room for all your permanent teeth. If so, you may need to have some permanent teeth taken out to make space. Your dental team will tell you whether this is the case. Sometimes space can be made using other forms of treatment.
How is treatment carried out?
Orthodontic treatment can be done by many sorts of appliances, which most people call a 'brace'.
What is a fixed brace?
So a fixed brace is used. This has brackets and bands which are temporarily stuck to the teeth. A flexible wire joins all the brackets and allows the teeth to be moved. You can't take the appliance out yourself, so it is called a fixed appliance.
What is a functional brace?
It is sometimes possible to change the way the jaws grow, using a functional brace. This works by using the power of your jaw muscles and can help with certain types of problem.
How to plan for orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment planning is based in: 1 defining the characteristics of malocclusion and dentofacial deformity 2 determining the nature and etiology of the orthodontic problem 3 designing a treatment plan based on the specific patient’s needs 4 deciding the orthodontic appliances that will be used to correct the problems 5 estimating the time that will be required for the treatment 6 deciding on the most appropriate age that orthodontic treatment should start.
Why do you need orthodontic treatment for malocclusion?
Cases of severe malocclusion require orthodontic treatment in order to restore proper mouth function, improve dental health or even just restore the patient’s self esteem.
Why do teeth tear?
Wear and tear– when teeth are misaligned the grinding forces of chewing are not evenly distributed to the chewing surfaces of all teeth. For this reason, orthodontic problems are related to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces. Usually, the back teeth are more affected.
Why is flossing and brushing teeth so difficult?
Tooth decay and gum disease – brushing and flossing teeth is much more difficult when teeth are crooked, crowded and particularly if they are overlapping. Plaque is easily accumulated in the hard to clean spaces between not properly aligned teeth. Poor oral hygiene due to orthodontic problems can lead to tooth decay and also increases the risk for periodontal (gum) disease and tooth loss. Straight teeth can help in maintaining good oral health as they collect less dental plaque that is easier to clean with regular brushing and flossing.
What is the difference between malocclusion and misalignment?
A mild misalignment of the teeth (malocclusion) causes no medical or functional problems and little cosmetic concern, while a severe malocclusion may cause a number of problems not only functional or health related, but also psychological ones. Cases of severe malocclusion require orthodontic treatment in order to restore proper mouth function, ...
Why do people need orthodontics?
Even if the malocclusion is not so serious to cause dental problems, orthodontic treatment is recommended for cosmetic reasons to improve the person’s appearance and self esteem . Orthodontic problems are usually more easily corrected if dental braces are placed early after the eruption of permanent teeth up to adolescence.
When should an orthodontist be consulted?
The orthodontist will evaluate each individual case and decide if and when to start orthodontic treatment or the type of braces to be used, but it is very important that he/she is consulted before the malocclusion problems cause any damage to teeth.
How to avoid costly mistakes when choosing orthodontic care?
How to Avoid 5 Costly Mistakes when Choosing Orthodontic Care. 1. Picking or taking advice from an orthodontist who’s not really an orthodontist. An orthodontist is someone who actually has to become a dentist first and complete and graduate from 4 years of dental school training.
What does Socrates say about dentists?
As Socrates famously said, “The more I learn, the more I learn how little I know.”. Beware of the overconfidence of incompetent.
Can a dentist do orthodontics?
What is confusing to the public is that any licensed dentist can legally provide orthodontic services because of their basic training in dental school which includes minor tooth movement usually with removable appliances but may actually include a few braces. But there are quite a few dentists who want to provide every service their license will allow no matter what experience or training that they have had. Just about every month there’s another article in a throw-away dental magazine encouraging dentists to offer orthodontic treatment (and, yes, even Botox) to their patients in order to increase their profits in a down economy. Why should they refer so much potential income out the door to specialists when they can do it themselves?
Can dentists advertise orthodontics?
I should also tell you that so long as dentists don’t infer specialization, they can legally advertise that they provide orthodontic services, so be careful if you see anyone who advertises that they do “Specialty care”, as it is very likely that they would like for you to believe that they are specialists when in fact they are not. However, they are supposed to treat to the same standard of care as a specialist if they are offering specialty services as a pediatric or general dentist.
Is orthodontic care complex?
Getting the right Orthodontic care doesn't have to be complex, but we do recommend avoiding these 5 costly mistakes we have seen one too many time
Can braces be used for 6 months?
But here are my concerns about orthodontic treatment provided by general and pediatric dentists: Invisible trays and six-month braces treatments are only geared for mild to moderate crowding or spacing and can have little to no effect on underlying structural problems with the bite or airway for normal breathing..
Does orthodontics offer training?
To meet this demand, there are several companies and organizations that offer orthodontic training for general and pediatric dentists. Some are pretty pricey and involve a series of weekend courses. At least one even offers an organizational membership and credentialing process that sounds almost official. Check out orthodontics.com/StaticPage/society_credentialing
How can I prevent my child’s need for orthodontics?
I teach my patients prevention whenever possible, because it’s always less expensive and less painful to prevent problems before they happen. Orthodontics is no different.
What is orthodontic care?
Orthodontic care is a complex specialty branch of dentistry that requires additional education beyond general dentistry. If you’re a candidate for orthodontics, you may find that a successful treatment plan improves your self-confidence by improving your beautiful smile.
When is the right time to first see an orthodontist?
Ideally, all children should get an orthodontic assessment between ages 2 and 5 to determine the need for any growth corrections. Treatment at that point will focus mostly on jaw and palate growth to ensure proper space for all teeth in the mouth.
When are you too old to get braces?
However, one out of every five patients undergoing orthodontics is over the age of 18.
Why do so many people need braces?
In short, the foods that were easier to produce and lasted longer on shelves were also foods that are devoid of vital nutrients like vitamin K2 (which he dubbed “Activator X”).
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Treatments range in the time they need to be effective, but most orthodontic treatments take somewhere between 1-5 years to complete. Factors that affect this are levels of treatment required, patient’s age, and preferred method.
What do people think of when they hear orthodontics?
Most often, people think of one thing when they hear “orthodontics”: braces. However, both metal braces and clear aligners like Invisalign are just two of the many appliances an orthodontist may create for you.
How to get your smile back after brackets come off?
If you listen to your ortho carefully, you can increase the chances of liking your new smile when your brackets come off . Don’t panic if you don’t. Talk it through, be honest, and ask what options are available to you. Most people find there are additional techniques available to them that work, and few people are left completely dissatisfied.
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Why do you want braces or Invisalign?
When you approached your orthodontist about braces or Invisalign, you did it because you want a straighter, prettier smile. You want more confidence, and you want to fix what you perceive are imperfections in your mouth. It’s not unreasonable, and your orthodontist was likely very happy to help you choose a solution to fix your smile. Your ortho explained to you your smile would not be 100% perfect following the use of either method, but that your smile would be better.
Why do my teeth get crooked?
Another problem some people face is the realization their teeth are crooked once again as they get older. The simple fact is teeth shift over time, and this is a real problem. If you get older and notice your teeth are shifting back into a crooked place, you can call your ortho to discuss the problems.
Can you talk to your ortho about your smile?
You can speak to your ortho about how you feel. Discuss in-depth what it is about your smile you’re not satisfied with, and see what options are available. There might be other issues you’re concerned with, and you might find there are options available to help you further appreciate your smile such as continuing the same treatment method or contacting a cosmetic dentist.
Do you know if you're satisfied with straightening?
You just never know if you’ll be entirely satisfied with the results of any straightening techniques. You spend months wondering what your smile will look like as you wear brackets or aligners, but you just don’t know until they come off. If you’re not satisfied, you do need to ask yourself if this is your own fault. Did you follow instructions? Did you see the ortho every time you were scheduled? Did you care for your aligners and wear them as you were instructed?
Can orthos shift teeth?
You might not even notice your teeth are shifting over the years until your ortho mentions it at an appointment. He or she might use this opportunity to discuss your oral healthcare needs and suggest correction methods you can use. You probably don’t want to go through this again, but your straight smile might be worth it in the long run.
How do I know if my orthodontist is good at being artistic?
How do I know if my orthodontist is good at being artistic? An artistic orthodontist is one who does not simply apply solutions to a dental problem because they are medically proven to work. They need to have a little flair or genius that is known as art so that in situations that do not fit the book, and most orthodontic situations don’t, they will be in a position to come up with a precise tailor-made solution .
What makes an orthodontist a good dentist?
A good orthodontist is one who will maintain the highest standards of professional dentistry throughout your interaction. First of all, he should be trained, qualified, and properly licensed and certified to operate. Then, he should have hands-on experience handling patients with the same or similar issues as yours.
Why is it important to be careful when using prosthetics?
The orthodontist should also be careful when using prosthetics, Invisalign, and braces to ensure that they are the correct fit for the patient because otherwise, they will just be a serious cause of pain and derail the process of recovery. Note that a small misalignment in orthodontic health can cause a lot of misery to a patient. This is not good.
What are the characteristics of a good orthodontist?
What characteristics or signs do good orthodontists have? Trustworthiness is a vital component of any tooth related medical care. Dental and orthodontist visits will involve putting sharp metallic objects in the mouth. If at any point the patient feels like they do not have confidence in the dentist, or that the dentist may end up poking or hurting them in any way, they will tend to be more uneasy than they would be if they trusted the orthodontist.
How to make dental visits less scary?
Dental visits spook everyone, kids included. To make the visits less scary, you need a professional who understands the importance of close and open communication. Ideally, they should be in a position to have small talk with you and the child, make them feel at ease before the procedures, and comfort them when the orthodontic treatment processes get uncomfortable. This good positive and chatty relationship helps put the kids at ease, and anticipate the next visit, even though it might be a little painful.
What is the largest part of orthodontic work?
The largest part of orthodontic work is restoring good smiles and making patients look beautiful, which means that attention , must be paid to details when crafting solutions.
Do you want to be stuck in long term orthodontic care?
You do not want to be stuck in long-term orthodontic care with a person that acts as if they would rather be anywhere else in the world than there , helping rectify your dental problems. When a good orthodontist is passionate about their job, they care about more than just the bottom line.
How to know if you are seeing an orthodontist?
How to make sure you're seeing a trained orthodontist? Look for one who is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, which means he or she has an average of four years of dental school and a minimum of two years in an accredited residency program. Another good sign: voluntary certification with the American Board of Orthodontics (the group's Web site lists the organization's 2,026 members).
Why do orthodontists use new brackets?
Still, many orthodontists say that although there is no health risk in the practice, they opt to use new brackets because of the "gross out" factor. "It's more psychological than scientific," says Terry Pracht, president of the American Association of Orthodontists. If the idea of wearing used materials bothers you, ask your orthodontist if he or she uses recycled brackets.
How long should you wear retainers after braces come off?
Most agree that to keep teeth in place, patients should wear their retainers regularly — almost all the time for the first two to six months after the braces come off, then every night for the rest of their lives. 7. "Someone might have worn these braces before you did.".
How much is a discount for an orthodontist?
Some orthodontists will give a discount, usually 5 to 10%, if you pay the total in cash or with a credit card at the beginning of treatment. One woman even said her orthodontist offered a family discount of $300 per patient after the first one was treated. 3. ". . . but your final payment may not be so final.".
How long did Debbie Michel wear braces?
Ten years ago, Debbie Michel, a 36-year-old journalist, wore braces for a year and a half to correct her overbite and crooked teeth. After getting her braces removed, she diligently wore her retainer for a year but then slowly started lapsing until she wasn't wearing it at all.
How long does Invisalign last?
Invisalign, a teeth-alignment system that uses clear, thin, removable plastic aligners to move teeth, debuted in 1999 and has become popular in the past few years for obvious reasons: It is less noticeable than braces, and treatment typically lasts only for nine to 15 months. But think twice about this option.
How much does it cost to get orthodontics done?
Minor adjustments, which might require treatment for three to six months, can cost between $600 and $1,500, but the median fee for full-scale treatment is $4,400 for a child and $4,800 for an adult — even more in pricey areas like New York City.
