Question:
Is it possible to come up with a good treatment plan based on a molding of
teeth alone, without seeing any x-rays?
I'm 10% finished with orthodontic treatment. My teeth aren't terribly
crooked and I'm needing veneers anyway after ortho treatment. The dentist's
plan is to have the braces removed, wait about a month or two for the teeth
to move back a little, then he believes that he can fix my teeth up with
porcelain and then put a retainer on them for awhile. Does this sound like
anything you've ever heard of?
Is it off the wall for him to give me a treatment plan without seeing
x-rays. Of course I have these braces on, so I guess that would mess up the
x-ray?
Answer:
It's unwise to propose a treatment plan without all necessary
information. Has the dentist not examined you personally?
Did you tell the dentist you were planning to discontinue orthodontic
treatment? Does the orthodontist know?
I'd tell your orthodontist about your discomfort, and have all three of
you discuss your problems, your treatment goals, and come to an
agreement on the best way to get to point A to point B.
The problem is I don't see my orthodontist. I see his assistants. I haven't
seen his face since my first consultation with them. He's a big wig. He
doesn't even make trips to the local office here in my town. They have
several locations and spread themselves pretty thin. This is one thing that
bugs me.
I don't like what I'm hearing. The treatment plan sounds plausible but who
knows from where I'm sitting. I think it is time for you to get a second
consultation from a general dentist and one that will consult with your
ortho before starting any treatment on you (assuming here that he even
remembers anything about you). Even if you have completed 10% of treatment
there can be unexpected relapse problems that the general dentist won't
expect unless he is familiar with your pre-ortho condition
