what should I expect to get from the first consultation?

[hellozen]

Hi guys,

I just went to see the ortho. today to get the consultation about Invisalign.
but after the consultation I think I dont get much enough information.
btw its the frist free consultation. what I got were I saw and touched the Invisalign, briely intro about invisalign, after that he had a look my tooth and told me that I can do invisalign and the process should be invisalign, vaneer and retainer. He can not tell me the price he said he is not sure in this stage. I have to do degital scan, and the structure model of my top and bottom teeth including bite struture, impression, bla bla ,.

after that he gave me the form that I can bring the form to do the x-ray and go downstair to see reciptionist and her asked for next appointment with a dental hyginist and do the structure model. but i didnt make cause I was not sure about this process. I have to this thing b4 the ortho. can tell me more info about my situation?

I am not an english native speaker mayb there was some misunderstanding in some points and I didnt prepare the questions to ask him. I went there with a blank brain hoping he would explain me all the details I should have known. and I actually dont know how the system works in Australia. So I though this is the system here. I dont think so though.

So I did make other appointments with new orthodontists in next week and the week after next week to get consultation.

The question is what should I expect to get from the first consultation?
what should I ask ?

cheers

zen

[Sunny]

Great you've made another appointment ... as the more you research, the better your final decision will be.

In Australia you usually have to pay for a consult ... which is fair, as you're taking the time of a person who's studied hard to get where she has, and deserves to be paid for the skill she has.

Some ortho's will give you a general oral exam and tell you about what your options are ... and then leave you to make decisions about x-rays, moulds, photos etc ... as they cost more.

Next you have x-rays (three or more), moulds and photos done ... this costs.

Then a treatment plan will be prepared.

You will then have an appointment to discuss your treatment plan and the cost of treatment will be discussed and you then can make a decision to begin treatment, or to wait ... and while waiting you may be consulting with more ortho's to help you make this choice.

Some ortho's combine the x-rays, moulds and photos at your first consult, but this means you should expect to pay more for the expertise used. Then a treatment plan is prepared and you then have a meeting about that etc.

Some ortho's include a treatment plan at the first consult ... but that's something to be weary of, as it takes quite a bit of work to prepare a good treatment plan. This includes either using a computer or rulers etc, to compare lines between points on your face etc.

Good luck with your next consult ... and maybe your third or fourth.

[hellozen]

thanks for the advice

if I go to get the consultation and ortho. does the x-ray, moulds and photo. can I keep these things with me to use for the consultation with new ortho.?


so basically I have to those things b4 ortho can estimate the cost and timing ?

[Sunny]

Where I work, we do this, as long as the person has paid. So make sure you ask before you get these things done. Some ortho's will still do their own photos, or may want an extra x-ray or two ... ask before anything is done, so you know what you're paying for.

Basically in aussie yes ... but not always. Our ortho's will give an approximate figure for most treatment types, although it may need adjusting after the treatment plan has been prepared.

You are mostly paying for the skill of the ortho ... but if you want to be treated by someone who is well trained and knows how to best move teeth ... then this is so worth it!