Any thoughts on In-Ovation Ceramic Braces?

[ksmoguy]

Next week I am scheduled to get the In-Ovation C braces put on for a period of 18-24 months. Does anyone have any thoughts to these braces?

My orthodontist really recommended them. I did go to a couple of orthodontists and all recommended a similar treatment plan for me, but each used a different bracket. All where in the same ballpark as far as costs go at $4,000 for the treatment so I went with the orthodontist I felt I connected best with.

[musclestarts]

I would like to know about In-Ovation C braces too. im planing to put those braces on in a few weeks too... but only the top. the bottom is regular braces. but it's more like $7000 for me. What state are you located ksmoguy?

[Sunny]

ksmoguy I think you've done it properly and chosen your treatment by choosing the ortho. Brackets don't move teeth, so if you choose the right ortho, it doesn't matter what they use.

If you search this forum, you'll find photos and blog entries by people who've had this type of bracket. Good luck researching and good luck with your treatment!

[Sunny]

musclestart if you're confident with the ortho you've chosen, then be happy with how they plan to treat your teeth/smile. If you didn't have multiply consults, you may like to delay starting your treatment until you do, so you can compare treatment plans and the orthos.

Starting treatment can be a slow process, but when it's done well, the treatment process usually runs smoothly!

Good luck!

[ksmoguy]

I am in Missouri and my treatment time is 18-24 months.

I did search the forums but I didnt find much on the Innovation brackets...

[Julie]

Hi Sunny and ALL

I'm in California have been searching for a while to have brace on, what is a confused world here but, thanks to Sunny and all of your guys. I learned a lot through this forums and I have seen 6 different Ortho’s. Now I have to choose between the 2 Ortho’s. I really want to start as soon as possible.

One is refer Damon Q braces for 6 clear upper teeth and metal lower and the rest. It will cost $7,675 included 2 years retainer check up to follow.

The other ortho I went there for 2nd opinion of Damon Q because he introduce Damon on his website, but I find out he only offer metal Damon. I don't like to have metal. So they refer GAC In-Ovation C braces for both upper and lower and cost $6,675 included 2 years retainer check up to follow.

I feel connected with both of them, but the one with GAC In-Ovation C just a little more than the one with Damon. Maybe because it’s cheaper and shorter distance to drive, but I didn't know much about this GAC brand, I still can’t make my decision yet.

Any help will be appreciating.

Thanks

Julie

[Sunny]

Julie remember that brackets don't move teeth ... it's the archwire and skill of the orthodontist that make sure this happens. For this reason, pick the ortho you feel most happy with to treat you. Your bonus is that this ortho charges slightly less and is closer ... and those are huge pluses, but it's that you feel a little more connected to this person is what's important.

Here's the link to the GAC website.

Good luck!

[Julie]

Hi Sunny and ALL,

Still have more questions for you...

1) What do think that the Ortho had up to 9 different locations (offices) and had 4 doctors work with him? It mean I can't have just one doctor to follow my treatment but who ever that doctor available on my adjustment date will work on my case?

2) The other Ortho has 2 offices and only work 2 day a week of each office, so not sure I will be able too see him every adjustment?

3) The last one ...there are 2 doctors in one office and they both be there 5 day a week (but the cost is $2000+ more than the first one and $1000+ more than the second one) any comments???


Thanks.

Ps: I hope you understand what I’m talking about, because my English not that well.

[Sunny]

Julie were you told how often you'd see your main doc, or is your treatment plan given a 'group' approach and therefore several ortho's take responsibility for your work?

We have a main office and three smaller offices. We spend 2 1/2 weeks at the main office and three days a month in each of the other offices. Our patients see the same orthodontist who prepares their treatment plan and puts their braces on, for the length of their treatment. There appointments are made for when their ortho is in the office they attend at.

There are many practices where you see your ortho at the beginning of your treatment and after that, only if major change is needed. Other places have ortho's who like to see you at the beginning of your appointment and then get an assistant to do the work and they check that before you leave. Plus I'm sure there's many other setups.

What's important is choosing an ortho you feel comfortable with and who will support you throughout your treatment, even if you can't see that person at each appointment. You need to be assured that you can contact your ortho if you need to talk to s/he.

Good luck with making your decision!

[ksmoguy]

The ortho I am seeing has 4-5 offices but I was told I would have my appointments scheduled so that I always see the same ortho at the same office. The only thing that may change is that I may see 2-3 different assistants helping him.

I start treatment next week... Im getting nervous but excited!

[Julie]

Hi Sunny and ALL,

Yes, they told me that my treatment plan given a 'group' approach and several Ortho’s will take responsibility of the work, who ever available.

I call the Ortho office today and ask them is it possible that I can have same Ortho for my treatment all the way, and they tell me yes...but I have to keep all my appointments scheduled that way I can see the same Ortho every time.

Thanks to you Sunny. I took your advice "bracket not move my teeth...it's the archwire and skill of the orthodontist ". So I don't worry about the bracket types anymore.

I ask about the treatment and they tell me they will put on the brackets (and spacers to have spaces) then a week later they will remove spacers and put on the molars band and the archwire. Is that sound ok to you?

The other Ortho that I talked to he told me that he doesn't use spacers, so why are they so different way? And the cost so much different, do you think high price cost will make any different from the lower one?

Thanks all.

[Sunny]

It's great that you're discussing these things with your ortho and the team now, as that means you'll have a clearer idea of your treatment.

Many ortho's no longer use molar bands, but instead use buccal molar brackets. Molar bands go completely around the molar and therefore need spacers, whereas the molar brackets are bonded to the tooth surface the same as the other brackets, so there's no need for spacers.

Why the difference ... mostly it's personal preference, but please ask, as then you'll here the reason why the person you choose uses one system over the other.

Cost difference ... there can be many reasons. Location (rent and other costs), staffing costs, security costs, overheads within the building, insurances, what's included in the price (retainers and retainer followup?) etc. Some ortho's just choose to charge more for their services and there always seems to be people who will pay the cost no matter how high it is. In fact there are some people who feel that unless the costs of some things are high, they're not quality.

Good luck with making your decision!

[squimbo]

And I highly recommend them. I've written a blog about my experiences if you want to check it out. It's not all been plain sailing but I am really impressed with how quickly my teeth moved. I've only got three more weeks now till they're removed (it's been a year). If you have any questions about them, please ask! Adult braces - In-ovation C

[ksmoguy]

squimbo - Thanks so much. I am going to read your blog today and will let you know if I have any questions.

[annabella]

Julie & Ksmoguy
When I visited the different orthos i always asked if they have other offices. Most didnt and they advised me to be careful of those who do. First of they they have there hands into many places. And they claim a group practice which essentially means you not sure which doc you get. And this happens even if they tell they are your dedicated ortho. The best you can do is try to schedule your ortho. We call these places docinabox because they open multiple locations to capture more revenue. sometime they charge the patients since they have more offices,more staff and upkeep. Sometimes they are cheaper because they are dentist not ortho so double. Go to the braces.org they are the American association orthos it list who is an ortho where they went to school and if they are diplomates. we decided to stay with one office orthos still deciding but one less thing to worry about ...braces are enough
Good luck and since your gonna have braces for a while you might like the look of one bracket better and that does matter to you so consider it all.

[ksmoguy]

annabella - Good comments. The ortho I am seeing had more than 1 office, but they are all in the same town, they just have a different orthodontist at each location. The one I am seeing does split his time between 2 offices and both are convenient for me so all my appointments will be with the same orthodontist.. They actually put that in my financial agreement.

[annabella]

ksmoguy
it seems like you found a good place that recognises that important fact. And so you are set to go. My daughter is excited but nervous too. Especially when we ready about some of thing you guys go through.
Good luck. And show us when you get them.

[Sunny]

When I visited the different orthos i always asked if they have other offices. Most didnt and they advised me to be careful of those who do. First of they they have there hands into many places. And they claim a group practice which essentially means you not sure which doc you get. And this happens even if they tell they are your dedicated ortho. The best you can do is try to schedule your ortho. We call these places docinabox because they open multiple locations to capture more revenue. sometime they charge the patients since they have more offices,more staff and upkeep. Sometimes they are cheaper because they are dentist not ortho so double.

Wow ... such a different way to how it's done in Australia and New Zealand, but that may be due to different attitudes of the people in these countries.

We have more offices, so we can service people living in the smaller areas that aren't able to get into the city. Many of the school children in particular have poor access to public transport, some parents working in these areas, are able to have limited time to attend appointments and so on.

Most of the orthodontist's who work in the main city areas have small offices to cover the outer areas, where the population is less, but they the people living there still deserve a great service.

We have assistants that work solely in these offices, but the ortho's have to move. We have set days for every office so scheduling appointments is a breeze. Our ortho's have a policy to work with the same patients, unless there's some unexpected emergency ... so we do as much as we can to keep to this.

I hope there's more countries that have this attitue, as the ones that ortho warned you about sound horrible.

I have heard of 'chain orthodontic companies' in some countries, but this is not the same as a practice having more than one office.

[melgreen]

I'm in the tristate (ny/nj) area. Around here a large majority of the highly recommended orthos have more then one office as well. This is so they can expand their client base to more then one community or sometimes state, because we are located near the NY state border. That said, of those I met who had more then one office - - they only had two in total and had one or two other orthos practising with them. In some instances the two locations are maybe half an hour or so apart. In my case my ortho is the only ortho practising in the location I go to, and his 2nd location has one other ortho - the distance is too far for me and I would not be asked to travel there unless it was an extreme emergency.

On the other hand I have heard of those practices that Annabella describes - whereas all sorts of services are offered (cosmetic, perio, endodontics, general dentistry) with a large # of dental practitioners available - and that sort of practice would not be my preference.