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don't do it!!! - Orange Park, FL

UPDATED FROM djfox1994
1 year post

Todays visit

djfox1994
$3,000
Got the top braces taken off this morning and the bottom are still a work in progress. It has been more than a year! The retainer is clear and I will have to wear it solid for three to four months. But when I look at the top, although they are straight, it is very narrow. My husband said it actually looks like my teeth are caving inward. I am going to start researching another orthodontist who can hopefully help me out. Three thousand dollars gone and too much time wasted with the six month smile plan that should be called "POSSIBLE 6 months smile!"

djfox1994's provider

Michael D. Vanover, DDS

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Most of the work done on my braces has been done by the women in the office. Everyone is nice and makes sure you are comfortable. But throughout this whole process, I have felt like I was a guinea pig. I have never felt like they were confident in what they were doing. All the appointments took much longer than I had ever anticipated and it always seemed like they were struggling to get the appliances on correctly. Many times the wires or brackets would break shortly after a visit. Sometimes they get everything finished up and he comes and looks to see if she has everything in place, only to find out we need to take it off and start again. Today's appointment at the 10 month mark took 2 hours!

Replies (4)

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May 30, 2014
I'm very glad to see you'll be getting a second opinion.  I hope it's good news!
June 25, 2014
I am so sorry that this has happened to you. I went through a terrible experience with the so called six month smile, but after 9 months and feeling more like an experiment I went to the Orthodontist and had my teeth checked. I found out that everything that the dentist was doing was wrong, but it could be fixed. So I never went back to the dentist and since the Orthodontist started my care, my teeth are really looking great. I try and tell as many people as I can not to get the Six Month Smile it is just a big waste of money unless done by an Orthodontist.
September 25, 2015
I am so sorry this happened to you. I also had a terrible experience and after 9 months went to see an Orthodontist. Two years after I originally started the so called six months smile I need to see an cosmetic dentist to fix my lower front teeth because the original dentist did excessive IP work( sanding of the teeth) so now they don't fit together properly and I will most likely need veneers. I had crowed front lower teeth but they were in good shape. I wish I had never done this. If you look at most people who are happy with the six months smile they had it done by an Orthodontist. But if you look at other people their center line is off, in other words their teeth don't line up the top go one way and the bottom another.
April 10, 2017
Sorry to hear that you had a poor outcome. Remember, that the system is just that and it's only as successful if the doctor who is placing them has a lot of experience. Be sure to ask questions when you pick your doctor and ask to see before and after photos from other patients they have treated.
UPDATED FROM djfox1994
9 months post

Almost one year later for 6 month smile

djfox1994

Replies (3)

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February 28, 2014
Thanks for posting pictures!  It is clear that they have not completed your treatment.  Has there been any visible improvement from your original smile?
March 7, 2014
After today's visit I see a nice improvement. But that was with contouring too. They file some teeth as well as change brackets. It still doesn't negate the fact that I have some sort of bone fragment broken that needs to be removed. I'm worried about the procedure and the cost!
March 6, 2014
I tried 6 month smile a few years back as well. It was also a general dentist who offered it along with Invisalign. He said I was a good candidate but in actuality, nothing but true braces could help me. There were a lot of positive changes to my teeth aster my 18 months(!) of treatment but I still need traditional braces and I will be getting them soon. As for the problems at your dental office, they are probably new at using this system. My dentist was quite proficient in administering the service. I hope everything goes well with your oral surgery noore setbacks!
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March 6, 2014
@Inmotion:  I'd love to hear about your six month smile experience!  I hope you decide to review as well!
March 7, 2014
Today they changed out some brackets and wires. So far the six month treatment is at 10 months and counting. Yes they are very new at this system. Although everyone is nice, it always seems like I am an experiment in progress. Last month he said today's appointment would be starting the process to get them off. But teeth still need to be rotated on the bottom row. It's clear they should rename this system. I would highly recommend Damon Braces. That's what my kids have had and they have beautiful smiles. Not to mention their orthodontist has years of experience!
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March 7, 2014
My husband had fantastic results with Damon as well!  I wish you could review for your kids, but we don't do third-party reviews yet.  I wish more people knew about Damon and self-ligating braces in general.  Eventually!
March 7, 2014
My oldest is 16 and her teeth are like Julia Roberts or something from Hollywood with Damon. My youngest is 11 and his braces are off now. They now have added appliances to move his jaw forward as he goes through puberty. I think what I like most about the Damon is how much it broadens the smile. Dr. Pieden is also a very experienced orthodontist. I chose my own personal dentist because I have such high anxiety when it comes to dental work. It's very stressful for me to go new places and I liked that he understood my fear of dentists. I think the key is to really going to an orthodontist rather than someone who has received some sort of quick training. I've also had a lot of gum problems over the years and my guess is that my bottom were so crowded, even with brushing and flossing three times a day the crowding contributed to my gum problems. I'm hoping at the very least when this is done, some of the gum issues will be resolved. I have already noticed improvements when I go for my cleanings. But I still would recommend Damon over this "six month" that really isn't six month. Anything worth while takes a lot longer unless your problems are minimal. But the site on line shows many sever cases that seemed to be resolved in the shorter plan. Just not true for me and also created a new issue.
May 6, 2014
You need to see a board certified orthodontist and oral surgeon to have things back on the track.
UPDATED FROM djfox1994
9 months post

More bad news

djfox1994
Just had a second treatment to finish a root canal. While getting my third shot, the dr. stopped because he finally realized why my healing process has been so slow. Somehow there is a bone fragment floating around in my gum area trying to work it's way out. I'm guessing when the initial work was done to pull a healthy tooth and add the appliances, some damage occurred. Now I will need oral surgery.

Replies (2)

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February 28, 2014
Oh no!  :(
Is this a common thing?  I've never heard of it before, but I don't work for a dentist.  This will be a different doctor who does the surgery, right?
February 28, 2014
Yes, today's appointment was with a specialist. He couldn't figure out why I was healing so slowly after two rounds of antibiotics. As he put the third shot in the roof of my mouth he saw what appears to be a bone fragment. A 3d X-ray would cost $500. I paid $3grand for the braces and $1000 for the root canal. And not sure what my future expenses will be
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February 28, 2014
Does insurance cover any of this?
February 28, 2014
So far all out of my pocket
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February 28, 2014
Ouch.  Good thing you're in Florida, though.  I paid USD$5000 for my Invisalign, and that was after my insurance paid $2000!  But at least my treatment basically worked.  I do have to have oral surgery, though, for wisdom teeth extractions, and I'm terrified how much that'll cost.  They haven't given you an estimate, have they?
September 9, 2015
That's so scary :( hope you're okay!