DS8 in braces since July 2008.
DD7, DD7 getting them TOMORROW.
Another DD7 is being delayed until year end, or maybe we'll wait until after WDW in Dec.
4th DD7 may get lucky. She still has a mouthful of baby teeth and her mouth/palate are shaped much differently.
So, to help with the math- that's 3 kids in braces now, another at the end of the year. Yes, this is ONLY "Phase 1".
DS is paid off this month but will continue treatment for the next 3 - 6 months, depending on how a couple of teeth come in now that they have room. Next 2 DDs payments start when treatment begins.
DS and one DD have a crossbite, thus the need for treatment at young age.
Another DD has an ectopic molar (it's stuck on the root of the one in front of it).
3rd DD has many things going on, including some asymmetry. We are putting off her treatment to ease the financial burden, but docs would rather start NOW (go figure
).
Total for each is just under $3500. We have $1500 ortho max per person. Our OOP is about $1600 after family discount and insurance. We got a larger discount than normal- wasn't that nice???? They are also working with us on payments. We could keep our monthy payment the same and just pay longer, even if they are finished with treatment.
FWIW- we are in a fairly affluent area and the orthos KNOW their markets. BUT my dentist said when she first saw my kids at age 3 that she expected them to all end up in braces.
For my DS, we did get 3 consults- all complimentary. All agreed on need for treatment, yet all had a different approach. We REALLY should have taken the time for 2nd opinions on the girls- it's not like us to NOT do so.
The 3 approaches for him were:
1. Palate expander and hope for no extractions.
2. Extractions and no palate expander. (This guy was more affordable, yet more "old school" and less into more innovative treatments. Also less kid friendly).
3. No palate expander and no extractions. This office does those as a last resort, although I do know some kids in treatment with them who do have those appliances.
Pricing for the most part among the 3 was similar.
So, 4 kids in braces by the end of the year AND taking once in a lifetime trip to WDW in December. No new kitchen/master suite or tummy tuck for me in the near future.
I have to say our ortho office is great. One of the docs called last night from his home to see if we had questions, etc before starting treatment. They did this for DS as well. They offer annual patient parties (yes, I know we are paying for this). Next week we are seeing G-Force with several hundred other "metal mouths". Last was HSM3 on opening weekend. DH took DS and was quite impressed when no less than 3 ortho employees knew DS by name. This is a HUGE practice with 2 locations, yet they knew who he was. Two full theatres of kids in braces and they knew MY son's name and he had only been in treatment for a couple of months.
They also offer incentives for good brushing. Kids earn points and can turn them in for gift cards.
So, that left me having to pay $1200 down out of pocket and $156 per month. I hear that most plans pay you upfront once a treatment plan is submitted. I am really upset that mine is stretching this out over two years. Does anyone else have this problem?
