Can't wait to have a perfect smile.

[NewSmile10]

Hi,

I'm from Michigan and I can't wait to have a new smile. It has been one of my goals to get my teeth fixed and this year I have made it a priority. My job has flexible spending so this year I will be getting them done and paying for the balance out of pocket. I have gone to a few dentists and one orthodontist so far. I really would like invisalign because, it would be the least of my worries about how I'd look with a tin grin. However, after doing much research I'm not sure if that's the option I'd like to take.

I visited one cosmetic dentist and his fee for invisalign was $4200.00 with all of the fine tuning, bonding, retainer and filing fees. His selling tactics were awesome and I will admit at that moment I was ready to sign. However, I wanted to visit a premier invisalign dentist and did so. During his consultation I was told he could fix anything and he wanted $5400.00 and he was a general dentist. I was astounded by his price however, he really didn't tell me much about how he'd handle my case but, just showed me a bunch of pictures of his clients and that was how I'd make my decision.

Any how, I felt it would be best to get an opinion of a orthodontist and I found one whom was very nice and explained treatment time and everything in great detail. However, he said in order to get the best possible outcome he would prefer to treat me with braces and that I would need jaw surgery. I was taken back by this only because, I've had this same jaw since birth and have never had any problems with it. I will admit I felt very uncomfortable about that but, he said he could straighten the teeth without a perfect bite if I opted not to go through with the jaw surgery. His payment plan was the best by far.

I will be visiting one more orthodontist for a second opinion and will be expecting to start treatment in mid January. I just really want to know is it possible for me to have a perfect smile without jaw surgery.

[Sunny]

It's great that you're doing plenty of research and I'm sure this will help you make the best decision for your teeth and bite.

I highly recommend you have your treatment with an orthodontist, as these are the people who've done the additional training so they can specialise in how teeth move, need to move and should work best together.

Good luck finding the best person to treat you!

[NewSmile10]

I had another visit to see an orthodontist her in Michigan and it went extremly well. I visited a dentist in the Livonia area whom had great inhouse payment plans and allowed me to begin treatment with a sizeable down payment. I put down $1500.00 and have a balance of $5200.00 for the Damon braces. I was surprised that I signed up myself but, the doctor seemed very patient and his work spoke for itself after reviewing several of his cases. During my consultation it was discovered that he wants to remove two of my upper teeth to improve my bite and treatment time would be approximately two years. So, I'm thanking God for no jaw surgery!!!!

They completed my records appointment that day and I'm set to have my braces applied on February 11th. I was told that I may want to take the day off of work since alot of work will be done on my mouth that day. Well, I'm excited and I have faith in this doctors work as I have opted to have two teeth removed from my upper teeth. I have also seen my general dentist for a cleaning and had two cavities filled as they await to receive the treatment plan from my ortho.

I'm looking forward to beginning the work on my new smile here in 2010.

[Sunny]

Sounds like things have moved along well for you NewSmile!

It's great that you've found the right person to treat you and here's to 11 February being a great beginning for you!

Take good care!

[citeeofangels]

Congrats on being your way to a beautiful smile. I too decided to get braces and was told to get jaw surgery ekkkk...but didnt want to because I hear that they break your jaw and reposition it which is something I'd like to avoid. Sounds like torture and I'm sure it is expensive. So I got my Damon braces on this past Friday as well as a palatal expander which isnt very fun because I have a lisp and it's kind of hard to talk plus the soreness and being unable to eat doesnt help. However I was told that it'll get better so I am counting down. I too decided to get braces by opening a flexible spending account so that was good that I was able to save some money. Please keep us posted on your braces journey. I wish you luck, this will be so worth it!

[Carrie]

Congrats! I get my braces on Thursday. May we both enjoy the changes of something we have waited so long for.

[NewSmile10]

I appreciate all of your support! I expect to spend quite some time on this board as I embark on this new journey and I hope to start a blog as well detailing my treatment. I'm excited and to be honest February 11th isn't coming quick enough. I'm certain I'm going to be so pleased with the results.

Best of luck to you all as well.

[mikeg]

congrats. we look forward to seeing more of your smile

I believe that damon braces are put on all at once now right? When I had braces,they glued each bracket on 1 by 1. But now I believe they come from the molds and the ortho applies them.

So you don't need spacers or anything anymore...

I like to hear of advances in orthodontics, but not sure on this one..

[NewSmile10]

My ortho hadn't mention anything regarding spacers so I'm not sure yet. He did indicate that I may have tads which are temporary anchorage devices as he added these into the cost before the application of the braces. If I don't have a use for them I guess they would refund the $600.00 for that back.

I guess I should have asked more questions...I do know that he made a mold of my teeth and that I come back for application of braces on the 11th. He plans to attach the braces and not put anything on the teeth that are to be taken out. After the teeth have been removed than he will pull them together some how.

[Sunny]

Molar bands aren't used by as many ortho's now, so that means less use for spacers. Of course some ortho's still prefer to use them and for those people that's fine. Where I work we've been using buccal molar brackets for quite a few years with great results. It's mostly a personal choice thing ... which is how it works for many things orthodontic related.