Unfinished Invisalign treatment...need recourse for bad dentist and full payment

[Sha007]

This is my first post to the forum and I need some advice. I began my Invisalign treatment in March 2010, since beginning treatment my original dentist left for maternity and transitioned me to another dentist during her absence and later left the practice. I have had major problems with this dental office since starting treatment so much so that I moved my routine dental care to another practice but had to continue my Invisalign treatment there because the treatment was already paid in full.

I began the treatment with 16 trays, going back every 6 weeks for a check-in and to get the next set of aligners. After my original dentist left the practice my case was transferred to the other dentist that treated me during her maternity leave. On my 15th tray the new dentist indicated that the previous trays were not fitting properly and they needed to do a refinement. The "buttons" to hold the aligners in place were removed and new impressions were taken. I was advised to wear the last tray I had on as a retainer for the six week time period until the refinement trays came in. Since the buttons were removed the other trays would not stay on and I ended up clenching my teeth together to keep them from popping off. So I stopped wearing them thinking that six weeks would come and go and I could get my new aligners in. Two days before pick up the dentist office called and indicated the trays were not in because they needed to transfer my file to the new dentist. It has now been since March since I've had any aligners on my teeth and my teeth have since shifted.

I am completely disgusted at the experience. I have not heard from the dentist since sending back the authorization form to transfer my medical records. At this point, I no longer want to receive treatment from that dentist office. I do not have the remaining aligners or retainers that I paid for and I feel like I'm back to square one with my treatment. I would have to pay another dentist to start over with a new treatment. What recourse do I have at this point?

[Sunny]

Sha you need to contact your dentist and ask what's happening. At that time you can let them know you're planning to put in a compliant about the length of time it has taken to get your replacement aligners. You need to also let them know that you've not been following the rules, as I think these aligners will not be any good for you, as if your teeth have moved due to you not retaining them, you'll need new impressions and the process to start all over again.

Be clear about what you're prepared to do and what it might cost. If you want to continue having your teeth treated, you're probably going to need start again no matter if you stay with your current provider or switch to another one. It may be more expensive for you to go to a new provider and are you prepared to do this?

You need to put your concerns in writing and send them to the board that looks after orthodontics ... but due to your treatment being with a dentist, I'm not sure if they will be that interested. Maybe you should also send a copy of your letter to the invisalign company in your country and seek advice from them. You are responsible for your teeth relapsing, as you didn't wear your last aligner, but you shouldn't have had to wait this long for your treatment to get going again ... it sounds like it's nearly been double the amount of time expected.

Good luck!

[InvisaNewbie]

Hi both,

I can't really give any advice, but Sunny if they took the attachments off Sha's teeth and then said that the previous aligners had to be worn, shouldn't they have put attachments back on, to make sure the last set of aligners stayed put and the teeth didn't shift? If the aligners were falling off it's hardly practical to keep them on by clenching your teeth...

Just asking in case it has any bearing on the situation....

[Sunny]

The attachments are to aid the teeth make specific movements. The aligners should stay on even without the attachments. The main reason that aligners become loose enough to come off teeth, is due to them being stretched, which is not the fault of the orthodontist. It's important to care for your aligners carefully. We recommend our patients use a soft childs toothbrush with cold water and liquid soap to clean their aligners. Plus never have anything other than cold or room temperature water in your mouth with the aligners.

[Bekster45]

I do have to disagree with your opinion somewhat Sunny (re: tray looseness). By the end of my second week my trays are fairly loose -- before I had attachments, I could almost flip off the top one with my tongue. And I think I take care of them very carefully using soft toothbrush, no toothpaste, etc. Even with attachments they are somewhat loose by the end of 2 weeks and I'm fairly sure that it's not from being stretched as you state.
I really can't imagine having to wear the same set for greater than 6 weeks. No I don't think they would completely fall out, but they are quite loose (and actually more uncomfortable than when a set is new and tighter).

Sha007 - I'm not sure what recourse you have, but if you have a contract you should be able to go into you prior providers office and find out what they are going to do. From other posts on this board, it does sound like Invisalign company isn't always helpful with patient contact, but they should be able to tell you if your case has been "switched" to the new provider. Best of luck.

[myhollywoodsmile]

I agree with Sunny. The problem is that you didn't wear them and you didn't call them to replace your attachments if you felt you couldn't wear them without them. You are going to struggle to show that you didn't contribute substantially to the problem. It doesn't really matter what aligners they made you or how long they took as they won't fit anyway now, your teeth will have shifted. That means you will probably have to pay for a new set,.

I have worn my aligners as a retainer for months, and they do get loose, but nothing unbearable. I think they would have been fine even if you had to get one or two attachments back on.

I would advise that if you are switching move to an orthodontist. I think it's worth any extra they might charge you.

[32rclint09]

Sha,

I agree with some of the above posts in that there probably is no recourse available financially for the braces since the instructions they provided weren't followed specifically. As for non-financial recourse, you could always write a review on a site like www.angieslist.com warning others of that specific dentist office if you so choose. Have you spoken with your new dentist/orthodontist regarding the process? Maybe they will have some suggestions or a quicker/less expensive process they can perform.

Best Wishes