July 2018 | Dr. Currie's Dentistry Blog

I really want to surprise my wife with Invisalign for her birthday. She has been considering it for a long time. However, she never feels right about spending money on herself. I thought her birthday would be a perfect opportunity to gift it to her.

I have seen those shows where they do makeovers. So, I thought it would blow her away if I bought her a combination package of some sort, like teeth whitening and Invisalign together.

Unfortunately, when I called the dentist to schedule it for her, they told me she will require an exam before they will even schedule it. This means I won’t be able to surprise her, which is the whole point. So, I’ve been looking into some mail-order options. These companies make me nervous because I cannot tell if any of them are actually Invisalign dentists.

Do you have any advice? Should I keep calling around to find another local dentist that won’t require the upfront exam?

-Paul in Missouri

Paul,

Wow, you will be earning some brownie points at home. How wonderful that you want to surprise your wife with such a wonderful gift. Invisalign has one of the highest patient approval ratings in dentistry. She will be thrilled, especially since she has been wanting Invisalign for a while.

However, upfront exams are required when moving forward with Invisalign invisible braces. The exam will determine the exact movements required, duration and ultimately what the final fees will be.

Factors for Invisalign include:

Type and amount of movement
Number of clear aligners
Diagnostic work required, like x-rays
Patient’s commitment
Any other issues that may be influenced by treatment
Insurance portion

Each one of these items plays a role in the number of visits to the office, as well as the creation of the trays. You can still surprise her. But, it will be essential to have the initial exam. She is bound to be just as excited that you are planning to get her Invisalign.

Also, please proceed with extreme caution when considering any mail-order Invisalign option. It is not the real thing and can end up costing you more in the long run. In fact, some of the products offered by these companies have caused permanent damage to teeth. You absolutely want to stay with an experienced Invisalign dentist to get the best, reliable and safest results for your wife.

Teeth whitening options vary too. Often times, there may be some other dental work that must take place before any teeth whitening treatments can be implemented. Again, this is best determined in an initial exam to avoid any sensitivities or damage to other teeth. The initial meeting will also help the dentist understand her goals and desired level of whiteness that she wants. Then, there are many treatments for teeth whitening – Zoom whitening or take-home whitening trays vary in effectiveness and cost. If you want a better idea of your dentist’s fees, you could make a call to see what services they offer. Also, see if they would work with you on a package deal of some kind since you want to surprise her with Invisalign and whitening.

Lastly, if you don’t want her to worry about the total cost, you should consider prepayment for the treatment. Then, she could just show up and you would be able to surprise her in that way. Then, if for some reason your wife isn’t an Invisalign or teeth whitening candidate, the office will surely refund you. That approach is something to consider.

This post is sponsored by York PA dentist Donald H. Currie, DMD.

I have been saving up for dental implants for quite some time now because I have several missing teeth. When I went to see a dentist that was promoting affordable dental implants, I found it odd that I had to complete so many forms about financing when I walked in the door. They qualified me for financing options even before I saw the dentist. That seemed very strange to me.

Then, I went ahead with the normal x-ray and cleaning. When the dentist came in, he didn’t even look at my teeth. He just jumped into all the work that needed to be done, which included three fillings and four crowns. He quoted me $4,000 on the spot. I was literally in shock. It has been a couple years since I have been to the dentist, so I knew I’d need some work done, which is why I have a dental discount plan.

The whole experience felt off to me and I refused to schedule any treatments, even though the receptionist was working really hard to get me to sign up. At this point, it will be several more years before I can move forward with dental implants if I required that much work on my other teeth.

Does it sound like I should get a second opinion?

-Sara in Texas

Sara,

The dentist appointment does sound a bit strange. The dentist should have absolutely examined your teeth and performed a thorough exam prior to making any kind of treatment recommendations. You are right to be skeptical. When extensive work is required, often times the work can be phased out over time. This enables the patient to take care of the most urgent needs first and pay as the work is done.

A second opinion would be wise, especially if you are still interested in dental implants. Many reputable implant dentists will allow you to come in for an initial consultation before an exam. This will give you the opportunity to meet the staff, tour the office and spend a few minutes with the implant dentist. Then, you can move forward with the exam if you’d like. Also, you should be able to request the x-rays be sent over to the new dentist from your initial appointment.

diagram of how overdentures are placed into gums

Overdentures may be an alternative to replace missing teeth.

When you find a dentist you can trust, together you can make a plan for treatment and prioritize the services. Also, if you ask for estimates in advance, you will be able to work with your dental discount plan so you fully understand your actual costs. Then, you can explore financing options to make dental implants more affordable prior to booking anything.

Lastly, you may be a candidate for mini implants or overdentures. These alternatives may be less expensive than dental implants, while still meeting your needs. It’s best to gather as much information as possible, then you can make the most informed decision.

Best of luck!

This post is sponsored by Flower Mound dentist Donald H. Currie, DMD

Would Invisalign make a good birthday present?

Weird appointment about affordable dental implants.

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