The search for an orthodontist

Ofcourse the first step of my journey began when I made the decision to get braces. Now onto the next step -- the search for the right orthodontist.

After having done my research online and reading comments from doctors and patients on various websites, forums, and blogs -- I took a minor step and emailed two orthodontists for a FREE consultation.

Since I live in the OC, there are plastic surgeon and cosmetic dentist galor. I did a quick google search and hoped for the best after reading a few reviews and comments on RealSelf.com

Consultation experience #1-
Laguna Niguel - Kinda nervous going in to talk to an orthodontist about what he can do to give me that wide Hollywood smile.

The office was decent and the personnel were polite and professional. Once seated in the dentist chair, the dentist began to measure and count. 7mm overbite. I was advised to have 4 teeth removed since my mouth was too small. Metal braces, since Invisalign is not possible for me, and jaw surgery.

I heard jaw surgery and thought . . . are you crazy? Really? Seriously? Now why would I want more metal in my mouth and not be able to speak for months. I am an adult with a career in talking to people. I just want straight teeth and lose that out jet from my front 2 teeth.

Immediately turned off to have to pay $100 for X-rays before he can decide what he wants to do and then another few thousand dollars for jaw surgery and another few thousand for braces . . . My decision was immediately, NO THANK YOU! Especially if he didn't have a game plan nor a rough estimate on how much this will cost me in the end.

Consultation experience #2 -
Newport Beach - I felt really welcomed and the location was posh. I met the doctor's assistant and she was not only cute, but knew what she was talking about. She was also very observant on my oral habits, such as thrusting my lower jaw out when I talk, thrusting my tongue to my upper teeth, and bitting  my lower lips.

When I met the dentist, he asked me what I want. Well shoot, I want that Hollywood Smile and not look like a damn beaver. He proceeded to ask if I wanted Veneer or braces. Well educate me, what are my options and what are the cost difference. After half an hour looking at veneer before and after photos and realizing that it would cost more for non-perminante fixes to my smile, I asked about braces.

I was told that I would need to have 2 teeth removed, metal braces, and if I am really serious about this, I would also need jaw surgery to fix my 7mm overbite and prevent TMJ or lock jaw symptoms. This would put me on out of the public eye for 3 years or more.

My other options are to go with Invisalign, have my teeth filed, and pay $5,600 for OK teeth, not being able to fix my buck teeth situation. Potentially losing .9mm of my 1mm enamel in the process.
Or get Veneer for $8,000 for 12 teeth that would last about 10 years as long as I don't chew ice or break it on glass. In the end, I received an email telling me to name my price.

After the 1 hour consultation and 30 minutes of consideration, I decided this was not the right fit. The dentist seemed more a Veneer and teeth whitening dentist than an orthodontist.

Time to rethink this whole process. Do I dislike my smile that much? Do I really need to get braces or go through all this surgery just to get my buck teeth and smile to look good?

Back to the internet for more chatting with others and searching.