Moving back to Ireland with braces....

dory

Hello.
I've been planning for years to get braces, but simply can't afford them.
I finally decided I really need to when I recently said to someone, 'It's fine, I just don't smile', and then I realised how stupid that is.
I'm living abroad and just found out that braces here are €1500! And I know of many people who got them done and all had great reports.

Problem is I'm only here until next May. Is it possible to come back to Ireland with them and find someone to continue my treatment? Even flying back every two months would be cheaper but that would be a pain.

Any info would be wonderful. Thanks.

georgieporgy

where are you located? if it's 1500 with an orthodontist its certainly good value.

dory

Kosovo. It's even cheaper in Macedonia! They quoted me €900 but it's too far to go for check-ups, I'd have to take time off work etc.
A lot of them trained in the US/UK, not important for me but a lot of people take that to be a measure of goodness. :rolleyes:

So....anyone?

georgieporgy

well that training IS a measure of goodness! I think you are on to a good deal. This is one of those rare instances where dental tourism probably works. You are already living there and having ortho isn't quite as risky as getting root canals and crowns.

the extra expense you will incur when you get home will still keep it cheap. You should plan on having the same individual complete the entire treatment. So a few trips to Kosovo in 2011/2012 to finish off should be doable.

lets see what the ortho guys have to say about it.......:)

dory

Thanks georgieporgy (I once has a teddy bear of the same name).

I don't personally agree of that measure of goodness, I find it quite racist. Best filling I ever got was in Ecuador by an Ecuadorian trained dentist. It's the only filling I have that dentists skip over when they're going through my mouth writing down what I have. It's wonderful! I love that filling.

Anyway, eagerly awaiting some thoughts from orthodontists....

btkm8unsl0w5r4

I think georgie's point it that training is a measure of goodness, not nationality.

day dreamer

Hi

if you are getting high quality ortho treatment for €1500 that is excellent value but as we are tired pointing out, it is all relative to economy where you work and the level of training. The cost of transferring depends on how far along the treatment is.

For me I would charge a full treatment fee if the appliances have only just been fitted. If things are progressing well I would charge on a per-visit basis, usually €150-200 per visit. Assuming the treatment is 50% complete this would end up costing €1500 to €2000. Transfers can be difficult if the appliances or techniques are different, often I have to remove everything and start again. You cannot buy a whole kit just to treat 1 patient.

My advice would be to finish the treatment where you started it, it is nearly always the best way to go. Otherwise look up www.orthodontics.ie and contact a few orthodontists

btkm8unsl0w5r4

The cost of orthodontic treatment is not the braces themselves but the time and skill needed to adjust them, and prepare the mouth for them. Expect to pay close to full price for somebody else to take over a treatment plan. Also opinions differ in dentistry (there is often more than one way to skin a cat) and your new ortho may not agree with the old ones treatment plan.

Suppose what everyone is getting at is try and stick with one provider. If its worth flying over ad back do that, if its not, have it done in Ireland.

dory

Ok, thanks everyone for the input.