Six month braces - any information?

bureau2009

Has anyone any knowledge of "six month braces"?

Anyone undergone this treatment?
What's it about?
What's involved?

Any information or pointers very very welcome.

Paul

PaulieBoy

bureau2009 wrote: »

What's it about?
What's involved?

Any information or pointers very very welcome.

Paul

Expensive!!
http://www.google.ie/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&channel=s&hl=en&q=Six+month+braces&meta=&btnG=Google+Search

kama777

I currently have 6 month orthodontic braces on, have them 3 months now, half way there, its lookin good so far, costs about 3500 top and bottom.

mjwat

Hey Kamma,

Where did you get your braces put on? I've been looking for places in Ireland that do them.

Thanks,
Fiona

Orthoman

Hi all,
Nothing magical with 6 month braces, just the same wires and brackets as in your normal brace. Some general dentists hop on the bandwagon of "6 month braces" and charge a lot for the 6 months. They just line up the teeth, don't pay any attention to the bite, and charge a lot for the 6 months. Your orthospecialist will charge 4-5k for 2 years of treatment, Mr. 6 MONTH BRACE MAN, will charge about 4k for the 6 months, just to align the teeth which is the easy part, and doesn't require any expertise. This happens due to the inherent properties of the wire and not the general dentists skill or expertise. These are the same wires and brackets that the Orthospecialist uses, except he doesn't make a big deal about them. Poor value for money

venusspearl

Hi
My partner just finished his 6 month braces there a couple of weeks ago and the difference was unbelieveable hes delighted. I think he paid just under 4k I dont have the number to hand but im sure theres a web site did you try 6 month braces.ie??

mcballer

Hi. Where did your partner get the 6month braces done venusspearl?Id be very interested in finding places that would do these and that seems like a very good price. Thanks so much

Orthoman

Hi, Macballer,
Go to any specialist orthtodontist, tell him you only want the braces on for 6 months and you'll accept what they are like at that stage. He'll probably charge you 1/4 of his normal 2yr treatment fee, which will be about 1000euros, and then you can go on a holiday around the world with the savings that you made by not going to one of the "6 month braces" conmen.

airways

Hi,

Does anybody know if there are any dentists doing the six month braces in Northern Ireland & if so what they are charging compared to the €4,000 down here?

venusspearl

You are paying for the convenience really and if the end result was gotten i wouldnt of called the dentist a conman to be honest. My partner priced both types of orthodontics and he did decided to go with the quicker option as he is 30 and didnt want something long term in his mouth so he was happy to pay the fee and it was also less expensive than he was quoted by an orthodontist.

mcballer

Well Orthoman,
This thread is about information on 6month braces so you replies about 'real orthodontists' is unhelpful and unasked for. But for your information I have gone to a so called 'specialist orthodontist'. My teeth to look at them arent that bad ie 2 front teeth not in place and too far in. However the alignment and my bite are way off. So for a specialist orthodontist to fix them it is a massive amount of work, including many years of braces, a broken jaw and extractions. In fact the 'specialist orthodontist' basically made out cause my teeth didnt look that bad that I was being very vain to want to get them fixed and to have to go through so much work for a result that wouldnt look that much different.

Although to other people my teeth dont look that bad they really bother me. I never smile in photos. So for me to get something that would fix my front teeth so that cosmetically I will have straight teeth I would be happy to pay for that and leave my bite the way it is. And also pay somebody who is willing to do the work rather than a 'specialist orthodontist' who made me feel bad for being so vain as to want my teeth done for cosmetic reasons....Sure what else do people get their teeth straightened for. So only information on 6 month braces is appreciated here. Thanks

venusspearl

Hi Mc Baller had a look and found a web site that tells you all about it and is does other braces called invisalign well worth a look its www.6monthbraces.ie hope this helps.

mcballer

Cool cheers for all you help....will check it out!!

dymondz

Hi. I got 6 month braces and i am thrilled with the results. I attended ****** mod edit ****. There ***mod edit*** are the only 2 places in Ireland at the moment that do them.

These are for cosmetic reasons only and will not align your bite. The are ideal for older people who do not wish to wear braces for 2 years and dont have terrible bite or jaw problems.

I had a very complex case, extreme overcrowding and i have perfect teeth now. Well worth the 4k i paid. I wear retainers at night now forever and that dosent bother me at all.

bobby77

hey, basically 'six month' braces are a marketing ploy used mainly by by 'invisalign'. They are a brace company.
A lot of general dentists sell 'invisalign six month' braces because you basically don't need complex training to offer the service. The dentist will take a cast of your teeth and send it to invisalign. They then send the braces back to the dentist and you wear it like a gum shield, you change braces every few weeks as your teeth move. Pretty straight forward but invisalign is only suitable for mild cases.
I would tell people to be careful, firstly a general dentist is not best placed to advise you if all he knows about is one course of treatment, you want to make sure that the practitioner treating you knows about all whole host of treatments; secondly, lots of trendy dental spas are selling six month braces and charging a fortune. Most of these are way more expensive than your local orthodontist who will give you the same treatment if its the best one for you. Lastly, six month braces are a compromise, you can only get limited results of you wear a brace for only six months, unless your case is very mild. Most reputable orthodontists never say 'six month' braces as it sets unrealistic expectations in an unrealistic timescale. But if anyone would know yours is a six month case it would be a qualified orthodontist!

I should know I work for one!

srewop

Hi,

Has anyone got 6 Month Braces from ** Mod edit, read the forum charter, infraction given ****, are they good, had an appointment today, quoted €3900 to get front six teeth straightened by clear train track type brace, it will take 6 - 8 months. Just wondering is it too good to be true? My teeth are ok, as in bite is not bad just really want the front six straightened & also mite need a crown on my K9 after to make it more alligned.

Thanks

Orthoman

srewop wrote: »

Hi,

Has anyone got 6 Month Braces from ** Mod edit, read the forum charter, infraction given ****, are they good, had an appointment today, quoted €3900 to get front six teeth straightened by clear train track type brace, it will take 6 - 8 months. Just wondering is it too good to be true? My teeth are ok, as in bite is not bad just really want the front six straightened & also mite need a crown on my K9 after to make it more alligned.

Thanks

Not wishing to take food from somebodies mouth, but

Short answer....NOT GOOD IF IT IS TRUE.

Long Answer.... Log on to the Orthodontic society website ..http://www.orthodontics.ie/find-an-orthodontist , Many of the specialists have websites and some quote fees for 2 years of treatment. Some listed are a lot less than the 6- 8 months quoted for you. If limited treatment is not contra-indicated then quote would be less.
If demolishing a good tooth is a requirement of the "6 month" technique, it has the following disadvantage : Your lady is quoting €795 - €900 on her website for a crown which has to be added to the fee, it leave you with a porcelain tooth that will not be the correct colour in certain lights and with time will require replacement involving additional expense, and will prevent the placement of a bonded retainer.
The fee quoted on the 6month smiles professional website blog for an Upper and Lower patient kit is 500 dollars! 3 hours maximum work required, so I'll leave you work out the fee per hour.
That lady is also quoting "(clear - both jaws) = €4800". Not bad money if you can get it after a 2 day course (Part of which involves the marketing as well as learning orthodontics):rolleyes:
GOOD FOR HER IF IT'S TRUE YOU'LL PAY IT!

day dreamer

Hi srewop

I didnt get to see the clinic as the moderator removed the reference before I got to read it. I know that many dentists are providing "6month braces"

If I understand you correctly you are getting "6 month braces" for around 4000 and if the canine tooth is not straight at the end the dentist will crown it to straighten it. The crown will cost 700-900. I would ask the dentist why can he/she not straighten your teeth properly and why they want the cut down what I presume is a healthy canine tooth and commit you to having the crown replaced every 10 years for life.

6 month braces are no different to any other brace. They have become popular recently as many dentists are suffering in the recession and are doing a 1 or 2 day course called 6 month braces in the USA. If you look at their websites they all have the same logo and many have the same before and after photos given out as part of the marketing material from the course.

The best person to advise you abut orthodontics is an orthodontist who has spent several years studying to be an orthodontist after becoming a dentist.

An orthodontist charges 4000 approx. for a case, that is upper and lower treatment, 2 years duration for about 20 or 25 appointments. The follow up and retention would also be included and all necessary appliances. Compare the cost with a dentist doing "6 month braces" who has only spent a weekend studying and is treating you in 6 months, and 6 appointments. Who is doing the riping off? And you have been told that your teeth may not even be straight afterwards and need a crown!

By seeing an orthodontist you will get the full picture. If you want the complete treatment you can have it. If you only want the front teeth straight then tell the orthodontist that is all you want, the cost would be no more than 2000 i would think.

georgieporgy

I'm a gp dentist and have never been attracted to ortho and have never offered it to patients. I've attended some courses to keep current with the latest modalities of treatment but choose not to get involved myself. I know some colleagues who are quite keen however, and they do a lot of ortho. In addition to providing short term ortho to folks who request it, they also do the traditional full mouth ortho which generally takes a couple years as most orthodontists tell us.
The point I wish to make is that these guys don't just attend 1 weekend course. They attend a lot of courses and they read a lot. It's a complete ongoing educational process throughout their career. I think it's unfair to say that general dentists who carry out orthodontic treatment are all cads and bounders who are only interested in money.
Just because some people decide to specialise in a certain area doesn't mean that everybody else has to stop doing it. You guys should be more professional and stop criticising your peers.

Orthoman

georgieporgy wrote: »

I'm a gp dentist and have never been attracted to ortho and have never offered it to patients. I've attended some courses to keep current with the latest modalities of treatment but choose not to get involved myself. I know some colleagues who are quite keen however, and they do a lot of ortho. In addition to providing short term ortho to folks who request it, they also do the traditional full mouth ortho which generally takes a couple years as most orthodontists tell us.
The point I wish to make is that these guys don't just attend 1 weekend course. They attend a lot of courses and they read a lot. It's a complete ongoing educational process throughout their career. I think it's unfair to say that general dentists who carry out orthodontic treatment are all cads and bounders who are only interested in money.
Just because some people decide to specialise in a certain area doesn't mean that everybody else has to stop doing it. You guys should be more professional and stop criticising your peers.

georgieporgy,

It is not an objection to a general dentist providing orthodontic treatment, but rather an objection to the manner it's presented by some to the public as being something special:

"Six month braces is conservative, inexpensive, and highly effective",

"How is this treatment more comfortable than regular braces? We use low force to move teeth more comfortably",

"The technique employs the latest technology and techniques in dentistry to move your teeth quickly and safely" ,

"special nickel titanium wires",....... Yes, they're really new.

"Cost is usually less than traditional braces",
"Does the Six Month Braces Technique cost more than regular braces?
No, actually since there are fewer visits, the Six Month Braces Technique is less expensive than some other people’s regular braces"....6 Month Clear Braces ..... €3995 (single jaw) .........€4995 (both jaws)..from the same site.
Is this professional?

Laboratory bill 500dollars from 6monthsmiles...... 3 hours work involved.

Perhaps your phrase "CADS AND BOUNDERS" is appropriate in some cases.

day dreamer

Georgieporgy

I did not intend to give the impression that general dentists should not do orthodontics. There are many that do and provide good treatment and good luck to them. I would not like to see the profession restricted and a dentist should carry out whatever treatment is appropriate as long as they have the skills to do so and the the outcome is up to an acceptable standard. If they feel a specialist or someone else would do a better job then the case should be referred.

I do have an issue with 6 month braces and how it is sold to patients and what the practitioners charge for it. I dont think that the patient is being given all their options maybe missing out on the treatment they deserve

georgieporgy

Day Dreamer and Orthoman, I don't disagree with your comments and am almost in full agreement with you.

I think the debate revolves around 6month ortho. It's a catchy title and gets the attention of people who have crooked teeth. Most of whom hate the idea of wearing braces of any description. Offering to straighten the visible teeth and improve ones appearance quickly is something much more appealing than the full works. It only suits certain cases of course, but it must be said it works well in such cases.

When advertising you have to rely on soundbites etc. Notice now that a lot of providers are moving away from '6 month' and instead are using the more correct description 'Short Term Ortho'.

As for fees, in addition to lab costs and materials, there are the usual overheads in running a dental office. 500E an hour sounds about right to me. The dentist generally does all the ortho and works on one patient at a time. Many orthodontists work on muliple chairs simultaneously and use auxiliarries to do a lot of the work. (trained auxiliaries I am sure but perhaps not as fully trained as a dentist). Their office overhead is lower per hour so I expect they get a bigger profit from the same fee?

For example; 3 pts per hour @300euro each versus 1 pt per hour @500euro.

I think the debate could easily be solved if orthodontists included STO in their advertising (as the do with invisilign) rather than not mention it at all. They have been providing it for years already without giving it a special title.

day dreamer

I know Georgieporgy and we all want to do the best we can for our patients while making a living for ourselves.

It is my dream to have a line of chairs and hygienists working away while I work on more important issues such as my backswing, charity lunches and crochet! Unfortunately the use of orthodontic auxillaries is not permitted here at the moment.

For most orthodontists it is just the one chair, many newly established orthodontists are just surviving, the same as many dentists I suppose

georgieporgy

Oh I didn't realise that. So you guys have to work too?
In the US a lot of orthodontists delagate the boring bits to slaves. I see nothing wrong with it as said slaves are well trained ( a bit like a hygenist I suppose). But it's a pity it's not allowed here. But this is Ireland. Slowly but surely eh?

ballsymchugh

day dreamer wrote: »

crochet

i knew your talents were wasted day dreamer!!

btkm8unsl0w5r4

georgieporgy wrote: »

In the US a lot of orthodontists delegate the boring bits to slaves. I see nothing wrong with it as said slaves are well trained ( a bit like a hygienist I suppose).

Careful Georgie, referring to auxiliaries like that is not on, on a public forum.

vishal

They have some orthodontic auxiliary programs in the U.K. It will make it over here some day. The funny thing in the united states is you could have a laywoman bonding on brackets, without any official university training, in some states (under supervision of course).

susanroth

one of my front teeth is very crooked and it does bother me a bit. Was always wondering if there was a quick fix for it. one dentist told me it would be worth it and another said why bother?

paddles

susanroth wrote: »

one of my front teeth is very crooked and it does bother me a bit. Was always wondering if there was a quick fix for it. one dentist told me it would be worth it and another said why bother?

i'm wondering about something similar. i had a brace as a teenager to straighten my 2 crooked canines only. unfortunately, altho, 20 yrs later, they are coming crooked again, not that bad but i'm conscious of them. i was wondering what it might cost to just focus opn them and if the 6 mth idea might better suit me. as i'm in my 30's i'm on the side of those who don't want braces for 2 years...

day dreamer

Thanks Ballysmchugh, someone is finally giving me the credit I deserve

Hi Paddles and Susan Roth

There are many simple and straightforward solutions if you just have a minor problem with 1 or 2 teeth. Contact any orthodontist to discuss this www.orthodontics.ie As we mentioned in this thread already many orthodontists would be happy to do a quick fix to correct a minor but still unsightly problem. It may be at a lower price than non-orthodontists

srewop

day dreamer wrote: »

Thanks Ballysmchugh, someone is finally giving me the credit I deserve

Hi Paddles and Susan Roth

There are many simple and straightforward solutions if you just have a minor problem with 1 or 2 teeth. Contact any orthodontist to discuss this www.orthodontics.ie As we mentioned in this thread already many orthodontists would be happy to do a quick fix to correct a minor but still unsightly problem. It may be at a lower price than non-orthodontists

Thanks for all the tips.. only getting round to looking back at this post now.. The 6 month braces I was offered said to crown my k9 as it is quite sharp/fang like.. I had a diff appointment today for an orthodontist.. which said i would need top & bottom to give overall straightness, balance & bite etc.. would take 18 months give or take a few months either side.. which ain't too bad.. but quote was €5000!!! Arghh.. am in the process of making an appointment in newry, they have quoted me £2500 sterling.. so would be nearly half the price, I know u gotta tink of petrol & time but think it would be worth it cos you'd save nearly €2000 - big difference and the place I'm going has come highly recommended by a friend.. any more tips or does anyone know of somewhere in wicklow/dublin area with good value?? Thanks

day dreamer

Hi srewop

Assuming that you are getting upper and lower metal appliances, 5000 for an 18 month treatment seems a little steep in these times. Some dublin based specialists charged this back in the good old days but I would think 4000 is a more realistic price now unless it is invisalign or lingual appliances.

Outside dublin you could get treatment for 3500 or so from a specialist which is very similar to the North. check out www.orthodontics.ie and phone around

sparkling sea

Can anyone tell if they have any experience with 6 months braces in the Waterford area.

I have been to see an ortho and he said my teeth are twisted so I would need metal braces for 1 year - this is not an option I would ever consider as I work for myself and presentation is everything - this is the very reason I want my teeth straightened. I also have arthritis in my jaw so I wouldn't want any type of long term discomfort.

The ortho told me that Invisalign would not work for me so this is not an option either.

Also has anyone had veeners fitted to straighten their teeth, my dentist is very anti this as it damages healthy teeth (healthy teeth that I can't stand) but if it worked I would happily get it done. The ortho said he would need to reshape my 2 twisted teeth so I am a bit lost as to the point (for me) of getting the brace would be when if I could just get veeners

Any info appreciated

srewop

day dreamer wrote: »

Hi srewop

Assuming that you are getting upper and lower metal appliances, 5000 for an 18 month treatment seems a little steep in these times. Some dublin based specialists charged this back in the good old days but I would think 4000 is a more realistic price now unless it is invisalign or lingual appliances.

Outside dublin you could get treatment for 3500 or so from a specialist which is very similar to the North. check out www.orthodontics.ie and phone around

Thanks daydreamer, yes it was a quote for upper & lower metal i.e. train tracks - includes everything xrays, fittings etc. and follow up for one year.. I have phoned another othodontist in bray area and got a quote over the phone of €3500 (orthodontist recommended by a friend) which is reasonable enough, would prefer to get work carried out here as €3500 is not much more expensive than the north when you take into consideration petrol & time costs goin to newry etc. I really can't understand how there is 1500 diff in the price considering the two orthodontist practices are literally streets away.. I have had a look at orthodontics website and gona book appointments with ones in wicklow area, however the one I'm going to above for 3500 is not on this list? Does this matter?

day dreamer

Hi there

you have 2 opinions about your crooked teeth and both your ortho and dentist feel that veneers would not be appropriate. It is probably best to follow that advice. If your ortho has said that it will take 12 months then 6 month braces will probably not be an option although you may be told differently. If you dont want visible braces then 6 month braces is not an option anyway.

Reshaping your incisors is usually a minor procedure to level the edges of the teeth where they are worn at ten end of orthodontic treatment. If there is a lot of wear usually a white filling will fix this, veneers would only be needed if a lot of the tooth was gone.

You mentioned that you would not wear metal braces and that invisalign is not possible. You could consider ceramic or clear braces that are more discreet than the metal ones. There is also lingual braces that go on the inside of the teeth and no-one will see them,they are truly invisible.

Ask your ortho if they provide them or clear traintracks, if not try elsewhere

day dreamer

hi srewop

if they are not on the list then they are probably not a specialist orthodontist so i think that does matter. Ask them if they are on list or check with the dental council website

srewop

Ok thanks I will check other website, I have an appointment on Monday so will find out more then, a friend of mine has went there and had quite a lot of work then and has recommended them.. Thanks.

srewop

Hi Daydreamer,

I had another appointment today with a gp dentist not an orthodontist (a friend of mine got her teeth done there and she is very happy).. She really seemed to know her stuff, she said she is not registered but has done a lot of training and being doing braces for a few years, for up and down metal train tracks she quoted 3500 but could go a couple of hundred cheaper if i get better quote and would take 18 months.. not sure whether to go with it or wait and see registered ortodontists??.. Oh what to do!!

Thanks,
srewop

day dreamer

Well at last she was honest and up front about things. That must count for something.

For 3500 or a bit more you would get a specialist to do it but the choice is yours and do what you are comfortable doing. Best of luck

San Antonio

Interesting how there's so much negativity towards 6 Month Braces from Orthodontists here.
Shows those of us offering the service must be doing something right by so many feathers ruffled!!

btkm8unsl0w5r4

San Antonio, please read the forum charter, if you are a dentist please make yourself known to the mods (me of Big_G) by PM. Welcome to the forum BTW.

day dreamer

I have no issue with compromise plans or limited treatment objectives when the patient is fully informed and charged appropriately for a limited treatment plan. The usual example is someone getting married and wants a quick fix.

As I have mentioned in the past the issue I have with 6 month braces is that a patient could have complete treatment for the same money (or less) albeit over a longer treatment time. Many general dentists do ortho treatment and good luck to them but if someone only offers 6 month braces then that is all a patient will be offered

The advertising for 6 month braces and for that matter by Invisalign only increases orthodontic and dental awareness which is a good thing for all involved I think.

srewop

Hi daydreamer,
Thanx for all you info on braces, it's been a real help.. well I finally got them on two weeks ago and all going well so far.. haven't painful but do still feel weird in my mouth and staying away from the sugary food is harder than I thought.. I went to a specialist orthodontist in the end.. He is doing just my top teeth for 2000 and should only be on about 6 months.. but not really the same as 6 month braces if you know what i mean.. he gave me the option of having top & bottom for two years or going with the comparable option of the 6 months which i am doing and if i am not fully happy with the end i can continue on and get top and bottom for longer treatment.. I am really happy so far, my teeth look a lot better as he had to do some reshaping to my tooth beside my front tooth to take the sharp/fang look away to match other teeth.. and it's also in my local area of bray, so no travelling to north..
Once again thanks for all the tips and info.. I will pass onto anyone else I know interested in getting braces.
Thanks
srewop

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Sound like a resolution to this thread, closed