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ljd4
LIF Infant
Member since 9/11 58 total posts
Name:
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Palette Expander
Hi everyone,
My son had an ortho consult and we were told that he needs a palette expander on the top for 6 months-we have no insurance and the cost will be $2500-ouch!
He is 9 years old-had anyone else's children had this and how much did you get charged? I am unsure if I should get a second opinion so was wondering if this price is reasonable-it seems a bit high to me just for the expander and office visits included.
If you prefer you can email me directly at [email protected]
TIA!
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Posted 2/3/12 10:12 AM  |
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twobabies
Praying
Member since 7/05 9662 total posts
Name:
Mrs. Honeybee
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Re: Palette Expander
Message edited 2/4/2012 7:51:48 PM.
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| Posted 2/3/12 10:39 AM |
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ljd4
LIF Infant
Member since 9/11 58 total posts
Name:
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Re: Palette Expander
anyone else have experience with this??
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| Posted 2/4/12 11:52 AM |
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ny55angel
car seat tech & geek :-)
Member since 2/06 4346 total posts
Name:
P
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Re: Palette Expander
DD had to have one, and in her case it was necessary. Her baby teeth were so jammed packed in her mouth, and as they were falling out, one adult tooth was taking over almost two baby teeth spots. If we left it there would have been no room for all her adult teeth to fit. As it was, there was a tooth that had no where to go and started growing in behind another adult tooth.
We obviously couldn't wait, and to be honest, I never second guessed what the dentist and Ortho were saying. I didn't for a few reasons, first, they are the professionals, I am not. Second, they did such a good job explaining and showing me what they were talking about they made it clear to me both audibly and visually.
Fortunately for us, DD does have Ortho coverage. It reimbursed 50% of the total treatment of braces (all phases) up to $2500. If i remember correctly the expander was about 1k total before reimbursement. Total bill for all phases is going to be about $5k when she is done.
IMO, its a lot of money, but was worth it in DD's case.
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| Posted 2/4/12 12:07 PM |
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ljd4
LIF Infant
Member since 9/11 58 total posts
Name:
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Re: Palette Expander
Thanks for your reply. I believe that my son needs it as well and like the ortho, however I am questioning the price-$2500 just for the expander phase!!
Our insurance covers braces up to $2500 total cost for a 2 year max treatment period. Our ortho says that he will not need full braces until he is about 11 so if I go through insurance for the expander I will have used up all of the benefits so I figured I should pay out of pocket-but $2500 sounds extremely high to me although it includes all office visits for up to 9 months in relation to the expander. Do you think it is high?
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| Posted 2/4/12 6:18 PM |
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Lillies
Grateful for my babies!
Member since 2/12 4571 total posts
Name:
<3
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Re: Palette Expander
It IS a bit high for a palatal expander. The phase 1 treatment for an expander plus braces is usually that price so I am confused. When I worked in ortho, it was usually 1200$ or less. They basically are using a key to expand the "expander retainer" weekly to open the suture wide enough for the teeth to straighten with braces. Are you sure it's just for the expander? I'd get a second opinion if thats the case.
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| Posted 2/6/12 10:46 AM |
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ljd4
LIF Infant
Member since 9/11 58 total posts
Name:
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Re: Palette Expander
I'll double check with them on that-thanks!
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| Posted 2/6/12 1:38 PM |
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BeachMom
Love my 4 kiddos!
Member since 11/08 8346 total posts
Name:
Kristie
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Re: Palette Expander
My DD had to have the palette expander on the top when she was 7. It was needed due to a cross bite. Our total cost WITH INSURANCE was $3100. This includes all treatments related to the expander and replacement if needed except for loss as well as appointments and xrays etc. So far at 11 she's still going to ortho and we haven't had to pay a dime more.
IMO you got a decent price since we paid more with insurance. We were qouted $6000 w/o insurance from our place.
I would definitly see what it covers though. As far as visits, adjustments etc.
It can't hurt to get a second opinioin on it either.
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| Posted 2/6/12 2:08 PM |
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ny55angel
car seat tech & geek :-)
Member since 2/06 4346 total posts
Name:
P
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Re: Palette Expander
I checked my records, I paid $984 for DD's palate expander and a spacer bar on the bottom. That was phase one (all related appointments included) I paid $4300 for phase 2 (braces and related appointments) and phase 3 (retainer and related appointments)
Maybe get a 2nd or 3rd opinion. A lot of Orthos do free consults.
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| Posted 2/7/12 12:49 PM |
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ljd4
LIF Infant
Member since 9/11 58 total posts
Name:
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Re: Palette Expander
wow-big difference-ny 55angel. Who is your ortho???
I did check and found out it will include the braces for the 4 top teeth IF NEEDED as well-so it is phase 1 price-up to 9 months only.
But that is still a huge jump from what you paid
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| Posted 2/8/12 11:06 AM |
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ny55angel
car seat tech & geek :-)
Member since 2/06 4346 total posts
Name:
P
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Re: Palette Expander
DD started phase one 4/17/09 and phase two 2/25/10 so those prices are a few years old. Should have put that in my previous post, sorry.
DD goes to kidd smiles in Manhasset for pediatric dentist. ( http://www.kiddsmiles.com/index.html ) They were partnered with an ortho who was in office, but she left unexpectedly last June. Dr. Savel (the owner) found another Ortho to provide services under the existing contracts. I don't know what she does now about Ortho patients.
DD now sees Dr. Seth Newman in Roslyn. ( http://www.newmansortho.com/default.asp ) the office is clean, and the staff is nice.
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| Posted 2/8/12 10:13 PM |
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