Dentist or Ortho?

[Lottie]

dentist is fully trained in Invisalign with a good portfolio. But should I see an orthodontist? Bottom teeth not too bad, with one crossing over on front of upper.

[Stephanie]

Invisalign takes a seperate skill set and training than traditionaly orthdontics. So if your dentist is versed and treats MANY patients, I wouldn't worry about it. MANY MANY dentist crossover to orthodontics and Invisalign to add business, so it is not uncommon at all.

Personally I would prefer to be treatment by a full time orthodotist as they have seen just about most cases and woudl know how to get my teeth where I want them...

Good LUCK and keep us posted please.

[Zealie]

I did a lot of research and had consultations with orthodontists and dentists. In the end I decided on a dentist rather than ortho and have had absolutely no regrets so far. As long as your dentist has a good reputation and portfolio I wouldn't be worried, but that's just my opinion.
Good luck

[Sunny]

Lottie as long as the person is a certified invisalign provider and you can communicate easily with them, two of the main criteria have been met. Also ask to see some photos of before and after results, especially of people with teeth similar to yours.

It's recommended that you consult with three orthodontists (or certified dentist's if checking out invisalign), but sometimes a person can be totally confident after one. I still recommend consulting with two, just to be sure. This is a huge investment, and most of us don't spend this amount of money without further checking first.

Good luck!

[rlweber]

Mine was a "mere" dentist, but trained in (and reputable for) Invisalign treatment. I did speak with an orthodontist, and got the impression that he was not happy that regular dentists were doing this type of work. He got a little territorial. Maybe he resented that his market (me and my checkbook) was being courted by his dental-health-profession inferiors.

So I went with the dentist. He just seemed a bit more open to a new technology than the skeptical, "old-school" ortho. HOWEVER, having said that, I would think an orthodontist would have a fuller perspective on these types of procedures. That's their expertise.

[Lottie]

Dentist is fully trained in Invisalign with a good portfolio. But should I see an Orthodontist? Bottom teeth not too bad, with one crossing over on front of upper.

Thanks to everyone for their response. I am going for impression tomorrow. Once the DVD is back from Invisalign, I will make my decision.

Will give update.

[Tammy]

Dentist is fully trained in Invisalign with a good portfolio. But should I see an Orthodontist? Bottom teeth not too bad, with one crossing over on front of upper.

I decided to go with a dentist for my invisalign treatment for a few reasons....My Ortho didn't do or have any interest in discussing invisalign and recommended that I have 2 full years with braces for $6200.00 CDN. My dentist did the invisalign and it took 6 months and cost $3500.00 CDN. I was a little unsure of the invisalign but now that I am done I have no regrets. One thing to consider and this is the problem I have run into now. My teeth moved back 2 aligners within the first 3-4 weeks of completing my treatment. I had to go back to the 2nd last aligner for 4 weeks and then to the last again. My dentist does not really like the permanent retainers (wire behind teeth) but I am insisting that he put them on......He does not carry nor does he regularly do the permanent retainers! So, he said he would get them in but I am not sure how qualified he is since he doesn't even do this?

Just something to think about...........
I found the treatment was the easy part, it is getting the teeth to stay after the fact....Even with a retainer on at night for 12 hrs they still moved the minute they were free

[Sunny]

Tammy your post appears to be an example of getting two very different treatment plans and not further checking to see what other ortho's/dentist's considered was best for you.

Since your dentist does not like to use permanent retainers, then it would be necessary to order these in. Your denitis possibly, also hopes that this gap is also a time for you to think about if you really want these. As to whether he's qualified ... I hope you checked this before starting treatment.

Remember that it will be essential for you to keep a daily check that the permanent retainer is attached and to get your dentist to check it every six monthly. I've had a few patients come in due to teeth shifting, to find the retainer is no longer totally attached, and they weren't aware of this.

Good luck finding retainers that work for your teeth.

[angelbabiez9700]

thats what im worried about, at the end of my treatment my teeth will move back. My dentist is making me wear them for a year and then six months with a retainer....shouldnt they stay in place after six months of being in the same position? will they move alot?

[Sunny]

Angel, teeth will move for as long as you're alive. The only way to stop this is to have them retained in some way. After orthodontic treatment, teeth will move if not retained regularly in some way. Usually this is by some form of full time retainer wear, then part time wear (maybe nights only) and then it may stay that way, or be a few nights a week for life.

If you stop wearing your retainers, your teeth will move and for many peope, they move back to where they were prior to orthodontic treatment and then continue to get worse.

A committment to life time retainer care needs to be made before starting treatment.

[Tammy]

Tammy your post appears to be an example of getting two very different treatment plans and not further checking to see what other ortho's/dentist's considered was best for you.

Since your dentist does not like to use permanent retainers, then it would be necessary to order these in. Your denitis possibly, also hopes that this gap is also a time for you to think about if you really want these. As to whether he's qualified ... I hope you checked this before starting treatment.

Remember that it will be essential for you to keep a daily check that the permanent retainer is attached and to get your dentist to check it every six monthly. I've had a few patients come in due to teeth shifting, to find the retainer is no longer totally attached, and they weren't aware of this.

Good luck finding retainers that work for your teeth.

Actually, I did check quite a bit....And this is not an example of not further checking, this is an example of an Old school Ortho who just wants to make a buck!!!!!! I know the dentist I chose is qualified...That was never a question, the question was is he qualified to do the wires??? Since he is not an ortho he does not do permanent retainers in his day to day practice. As a grown woman I don't need time to think about it because I have already had to go back to fix my teeth for the 2nd time and do not want to do it again!!!!!!! I don't feel the after care of the invisalign process is adequate. I do believe the retainers stretch and do not maintain the teeth the way a permanent reatiner will. I don't see how someone would not notice if their permanent retainer was not longer attached. The ones I am getting will be bonded to 4 upper teeth and 6 lower. If they were to detach I am pretty sure my tongue or just a quick peek at them would tell me something was wrong. That being said, I would have chosen an orthodontist to do this process if I was to do it again.....Not because my dentist is not qualified (he is great) but more because it is like doctors, you go to you GP for day to day stuff but if you have a specific problem I would rather a specialist........I am sure most would agree! I just don't think a weekend of training for invisalign qualifies a dentist to move teeth with the same skill and knowledge of an orthodontist.

[Sunny]

Actually, I did check quite a bit....And this is not an example of not further checking, this is an example of an Old school Ortho who just wants to make a buck!!!!!!

Two years in braces is very usual and most important is that a time given is always an estimation. I can't comment on cost, as there are so many reasons why ortho's charge differently, and cost is definitely not a factor for chosing (or not chosing) an orthodontist.

I do believe the retainers stretch and do not maintain the teeth the way a permanent reatiner will.

Essix retainers do not stretch. They're very similar to invisalign, and as long as you follow the rules, re no hot foods while wearing them, they will last you as long as any other retainer does.

I don't see how someone would not notice if their permanent retainer was not longer attached. The ones I am getting will be bonded to 4 upper teeth and 6 lower. If they were to detach I am pretty sure my tongue or just a quick peek at them would tell me something was wrong.

I wondered this to, but it's mainly due to the wire staying in shape, but detaching slightly from the bonding. I think if it was the outside teeth, it would be noticable, but it's more when it's the middle teeth, that movement will indicate first, unless your dentist, ortho ... or you observe it.

My apologies for misreading your first post, I thought that since you only mentioned one ortho and one dentist, that this was who you'd done your consultations with, and since they gave such different treatment options, that was a scary thought. I'm pleased you researched further, although I still don't understand how you chose the one you did, when you're not happy with the way this person does the 'retaining' teeth part.

Anyways ... I'm hope you've sorted that out by now.