New here, would love some advice!

[xmeganx]

Hi, i am interested in getting Invisalign. I spoke to my local dentist but as he is not qualified in the technique he could not help me. I am currently living in Melbourne and was wondering if anyone could recommend a good ortho or tell me where they got their invisalign braces? Does cost vary from ortho to ortho?

If anyone could give me some info i would really appreciate it!!

Thanks!!

[Sunny]

Hi and welcome Megan.

I can't recommend any ortho's in Melbourne, but here's a good websites for you to check out - Invisalign in Australia. If you look on the lower right, you'll find a link to finding Invisalign doctors. You fill in an area code and you'll get a list of providers in that area.

Cost will usually vary between ortho's and there's a few reasons for that. Sometimes it's the location of the practice, or the experience of the orthodontist, or some other reason. It's usually a good idea to consult with a few providers and compare treatment plans and cost. You may have to pay a consult fee, but it's worth it, to help you find the person you feel most comfortable with.

The yellow pages will also list invisalign providers, as will google.com.au.

Good luck with your research!

[myhollywoodsmile]

Hi there,
Can I just recommend that when you search the Invisalign website you choose providers that are platinum or platinum elite providers. This is because they are the most experienced. When I went and got opinions I saw one man whom I have subsequently found out had never completed a single case with Invisalign! Thankfully I didn't choose him.

Anyway, good luck with it

[Sunny]

I kinda agree with you myhollywoodsmile ... except for one thing ... how does a provider get to be platinum or platinum elite? The training is important, but a huge part of this is due to the cases that provider has completed and the only way they can do that is by having real patients.

If you find a provider who's not platinum, you need to ask them about the training and work they've done and if they've worked with a treatment plan like your's and do they have before and after photos etc. If you should find this ortho to be the one you felt most comfortable with, then it probably is the best person for you. Every platinum elite provider had to start with their first patient, and someone has to be that person.

[myhollywoodsmile]

That's true Sunny, somebody does have to be the first patient. I suppose my only argument would be that newer doctors to Invisalign should charge less, or at least tell you they are inexperienced in Invisalign- and I have found that they don't always. There will be some people, particularly those with less complex cases that will be happy to make the trade off and pay less for a less experienced doctor. That way the doctor gets experience, the client is happy because they get their teeth fixed cheaper. Also, some ortho's here work under guidance from a more experienced ortho for their first cases. That seems like a good compromise to me.

What I think is a problem is that in my experience some ortho's don't tell you that they've never used the technique before, so you can't make that judgement in full knowledge. Some also charge the same as the very experienced otho's. At least looking for a platinum or platinum elite gives some reassurance that the provider has a minimum level of experience. It's not that I think someone who isn't platinum won't be good, it's just that I think I might be less likely to have problems caused by inexperience with the technique with a more experienced ortho. I am sure there are some fantastic ortho's that aren't yet platinum, it is just hard to judge when you know nothing about orthodontics, as I didn't when I was looking.

In my case, particularly, I needed someone pretty experienced as my teeth are quite bad and the techniques for correcting them with Invisalign are fairly new and untested. I think an ortho new to Invisalign might have been out of their depth.

[Punkin]

That's true Sunny, somebody does have to be the first patient. I suppose my only argument would be that newer doctors to Invisalign should charge less, or at least tell you they are inexperienced in Invisalign- and I have found that they don't always. There will be some people, particularly those with less complex cases that will be happy to make the trade off and pay less for a less experienced doctor. That way the doctor gets experience, the client is happy because they get their teeth fixed cheaper. Also, some ortho's here work under guidance from a more experienced ortho for their first cases. That seems like a good compromise to me.

What I think is a problem is that in my experience some ortho's don't tell you that they've never used the technique before, so you can't make that judgement in full knowledge. Some also charge the same as the very experienced otho's. At least looking for a platinum or platinum elite gives some reassurance that the provider has a minimum level of experience. It's not that I think someone who isn't platinum won't be good, it's just that I think I might be less likely to have problems caused by inexperience with the technique with a more experienced ortho. I am sure there are some fantastic ortho's that aren't yet platinum, it is just hard to judge when you know nothing about orthodontics, as I didn't when I was looking.

In my case, particularly, I needed someone pretty experienced as my teeth are quite bad and the techniques for correcting them with Invisalign are fairly new and untested. I think an ortho new to Invisalign might have been out of their depth.

go to a few ortho's, ask about their experience (if they aren't upfront about that, I'd think twice about them); maybe even ask for referrals.

My ortho isn't a platinum or premium or whatever (there is only one in the area who is), but you can search on the invisalign site, and make your decision on who you are going to visit based on that list. Hopefully, you'll have a few choices.

Don't just pick one based on experience, or inexperience - you need to be comfortable with them as well - you will be spending a lot of time with them, so you'll want open, upfront, honest communication and a willingness to listen to your concerns, and to address them.

Good luck

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

The posts above are great advice. Obviously you should feel comfortable with the orthodontist and staff members where you are being treated. You may get a better idea of some of their work if they have before and after photos available. Cost should only be part of the equation.

In North America, the Invisalign search will list orthodontists and dentists who have started a certain number of treatments in the last 6 months. The same goes for the statuses. Elite is the top 1%, Premier is the top 5%, and Advantage means the provider may start one per month. Note that most certified Invisalign doctors have not done more than a few treatments in their careers.

That being said, Invisalign providers do need to start somewhere to get to where they are today. On a personal note, my first patients with Invisalign were very minor crowding or spacing. With more experience and understanding of what works and what doesn't work with Invisalign, I have been able to correct minor Class 2 bites, close extraction spaces, extrude teeth, intrude teeth, and move blocked out teeth into alignment.

If your treatment does not require complex movements, it may be ok to see a less experienced provider. This kind of treatment would be one that doesn't require much IPR or any attachments. However, if treatment requires more complicated movements, you would be best to seek an experienced provider.

Keep in mind that if your teeth do not move as expected with Invisalign, and orthodontist may be able to continue treatment using fixed braces to deliver the best final result.

Good luck with your choice!