9.07.2011

First Impressions ...

... were taken yesterday.

At the orthodontist!

Where, in less than one month, BOTH girls will be getting their palate expander's. And then ... gulp ... braces!

After the insanely expensive pediatric dental visit last June, I knew that we were working with a small window of time get the girls to an orthodontist to begin their first phase of treatment. I hadn't quite planned on doing both of them so early, but seeing the mess that is Sheridan's mouth and jaw, and knowing that their dental journeys will be over way before mine ever started, had me reconsidering. Throw in the fact that this orthodontist we found has unbelievable reviews, comes highly recommended, and is my next door neighbor's best friend doesn't hurt either!

His office is a well oiled machine. They have books, magazines, TV, video games, and computers available to keep the siblings and parents occupied. It's extremely organized with everybody adhering to their roles and keeping the hoards of people coming in/out moving in a steady flow. They even have a program to keep kids engaged in their orthodontic progress by offering incentives for wearing the office's t-shirt to appointments, getting good grades, proving they have good oral hygiene, and not losing appliances. It. Was. Awesome.

Within 1.5 hours the girls had x-rays and facial profiles completed, we met with the treatment coordinator, we met with the orthodontist, the girls had more pictures taken, they signed the treatment wall, we met with the financial coordinator, and were finally fit for spacers and had impressions taken. No complaining. No gagging. No reprimanding.

Overall, I like this orthodontist's approach to treatment. He believes in being minimally invasive. He doesn't like to pull teeth. And believe it or not, it was less than I expected to pay! Of course, there is the chance that we'll need to do a second phase of treatment. But it would be nominal in both cost and time considering we'll have paid a majority the first time around.

For the time being, the only metal I'll be investing in won't be on my ears, wrists, or neck ...










10 comments:

Kate Coveny Hood said...

I may be asking for that ortho's number in a few years... So glad you found a good one!

Christy said...

I hated my orthodontist with a passion and his office was nothing like this one. Lucky girls! Cute post!

Robin said...

He sounds like a gem.

Itai's got his first consult next week (still not sure if we'll go through our regular clinic or privately, I need to see what my options are) but I'm willing to stake my house on the fact that it won't be the well-oiled perk machine that yours is. (Could you imagine that here? *falls down on the floor laughing hysterically*)

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Becky said...

Sounds like you found a good one! That is awesome. Mine as a kid was a lot like this and I still have zero issues going back for follow up even now. I'm really grateful my parents did the work to find a good ortho. I'm sure your girls will be someday too.

mosey (kim) said...

Ah yes. We are following you down that path within a couple of months. We interviewed two orthos and my daughter chose the one with the cool office and the Dr. who talked directly to her (and not just me). He has the more aggressive treatment approach too. Good luck to your girls!

Issa said...

Probably better to just do it now anyway right? Where you know you'll be living there for the next two year guaranteed?

Mom24 said...

He sounds very similar to Julianna's ortho. It worked wonderfully with Rebekah, so far so good with Julianna. I hope both the girls do well. Good luck with it all.

Sadie said...

how cool! this is worlds apart from my own orthodontia adventures - I'm almost jealous! here's hoping their teeth respond well :-).

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

what cuties!!!!

both of my kids are 2-phasers! Molly just got her palate expander last week.

Kat said...

Oh sheesh. All of this gives me horrible flashbacks of my own experiences with braces. Nightmare. At least it sounds as though you've found a fabulous orthadontist. :)

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