Is it normal to feel pressured at the orthodontist?

Seriously!
I took my son, who is only 8, for a consultation & it was overwhelming. He has an overbite so I know braces are a definite but they set up this whole long treatment plan with a palatal expander, mini braces, then a retainer & then at 12, the real braces.

Ok fine, I read that they do it in 2 phases now but what I didn't like is how they were literally selling me on this & going over payment plans & asking for deposits. I felt like I was at the car dealership! At one point, I said I want to go home to look it over & do some research & the woman said she would lower the initial cost of whatever. I had no idea we were even negotiating!

Anyway, I made an appt with another office for a 2nd opinion. The office manager actually called me & was like, so we got a call from xx ortho asking for the xrays... like I did something wrong!

WTH? Have you had this experience? Is this what happens? It was so weird

Is it normal to feel pressured at the orthodontist?

Wow, that's crazy!

I'm of the opinion that a lot of people don't really need the orthodontic work that the dentists claim they need. Growing up, I was always told that I would need braces because of my overbite. Never got them, and my teeth are fine. I'm sure some people do genuinely need the work done, but I'm sure some don't.

My son's dentist has been saying since he was 4 that he will need braces eventually for his overbite. I just "yes" her for now. We will see. He is now 7 and still hasn't lost any baby teeth, so I'm not making any orthodontic plans now.

Is it normal to feel pressured at the orthodontist?

It's funny how every kid needs braces now. I am from a family of five kids and none of us had braces. It's not to say none of us had problems later in life.

I've never, ever heard of anyone walking out of the Orthodontist office having heard "nope, you're all good. you don't need braces". Personally, I would hold off a while, and revisit at like 10 or 11.

Re: Is it normal to feel pressured at the orthodontist?

YES!!!

I had orthodontic work/braces since I was in the 3rd grade and it lasted until senior year of high school!! It was always a nightmare and they were always so pushy

anyway, then i got retainers and didn't wear them in college (stupidly. yes. but at the time not wearing them seemed cooler) and my teeth shifted and my retainers no longer fit.

After college, when I just wanted to get a new retainer that fit... every office i walked into had a "new plan" for me and all sorts of hidden procedures and fees and gave me folders full of paperwork and were trying to negotiate. it was INSANE!

I had to drive 3 hours to my old orthodontic office to avoid everyone else.

Re: Is it normal to feel pressured at the orthodontist?

At the end of the day they are all salesmen, so yes, it's pretty normal.
Just like buying a car!

Re: Is it normal to feel pressured at the orthodontist?

when I was growing up, kids got braces in high school for 2-4 years. Most of the kids I grew up with have perfect teeth. I'm starting to think all this stuff, appointments at 8'years old, palate expanded etc is a scam

Re: Is it normal to feel pressured at the orthodontist?

Posted by Millie3

when I was growing up, kids got braces in high school for 2-4 years. Most of the kids I grew up with have perfect teeth. I'm starting to think all this stuff, appointments at 8'years old, palate expanded etc is a scam

Is it normal to feel pressured at the orthodontist?

Ive never found a dentist who didnt upsell, which is the main reason i dont really like dentists...love the Seinfeld episode about dentists btw- classic!

Is it normal to feel pressured at the orthodontist?

Try ortho smiles 4 u- dr Goldman, dr Taylor, dr Dani, or dr rheinecher- I was a patient from like 13 until now hahahah- but they did my braces when I was young had them a while I had a very crowded mouth where I needed adult teeth pulled before braces could even go own. My teeth never formed the new "memory" of their placement after braces even with faithfully wearing a retainer. I had braces 2 more times after that at no cost to my parents and then as adult myself because they guarantee the work. My last go around I had a permanent retainer put on behind my teeth at no cost to me. I've had this now about 5/6 years. If I have a problem with it I go back and have it fixed free of charge. They are so kind, willing to work with you and are not there to "sell" you. They gave my parents options as well as myself when I was an adult and said this is what we can do, these are the outcomes etc. I truly love the office every person is nice and friendly and every experience was a positive one.

Re: Is it normal to feel pressured at the orthodontist?

You just have to find one that you trust. My cousin is a dentist (not an orthodontist but he does invisalign on adults). He said there are different theories now as to why they do braces younger. I would come right out and ask an orthodontist. My pediatric dentist is actually telling us to wait to have a consultation. My son will need braces but not yet. If my husband's orthodonture was done better he might not have sleep apnea or he would have a more mild case.

Re: Is it normal to feel pressured at the orthodontist?

My bil is becoming an orthodontist and I asked him about this. My dd is 5 and they are already telling me she has an overbite that she will be braces. He said not to worry and he believes not starting anything until most of the baby teeth have fallen.