My $8,000 smile.

[aida2003]

How so? I just got braces. Haha!

Oops...I just took a glance and I thought it was all about bleaching or something. Braces are helpful I'm sure.

[rob62521]

If you paid $8,000 to get your teeth straightened, you got shafted big time. Shouldn't have cost anymore than $4,000 at most.

I had mine done recently and it only cost $3,000.

I think it depends on what you had to have done, how bad your teeth were, where in the country you live, etc. My braces themselves cost $5,500 and I had to pay another $500 to get some of my teeth pulled. I could have paid less on the teeth pulling, but since I had to have more than one, the dentist recommended being put to sleep for my own comfort. My teeth were very crooked, some were actually crossed, and one bottom tooth was really far from the others. In about a year's time I've seen major progress so I figure what the orthodontist did was worth every penny and I don't feel I was shafted. Everyone's mouth is different. And I'm with you s & s, I wouldn't have been able to go out of the country due to the monthly appointments.


Years ago my mom decided she needed false teeth and could get them cheaper in a one day place in St. Louis. She had all her bottom teeth pulled and then when it healed, she went down and got her teeth. That worked fine, but when she decided to do her top teeth, she did the same thing. She gets down there and the dentist told her she should have talked to him beforehand because it caused some problems. She wound up having to have new dentures for both the top and bottom due to this -- it probably didn't save her much. My dad tried the same thing with his top teeth and his dentures never fit right. So, I don't think he saved any money because he would try to wear them and his mouth would hurt and then he wouldn't wear them and had problems eating. Sometimes saving money this way isn't saving money at all. I think you need to know all the facts before you make a major decision like this.

[myrdale]

I think they look wonderful. Your $8,000 price tag really hit me with sticker shock. That seems extremly high but you will have a beautiful smile for the rest of your life.

I am generaly against the idea of cosmetic surgery type stuff, but I think a smile is always worth it. Considering your teeth were in decient shape to start with, I would consider this to have been more of a luxary expense though. I've seen before and after photos of drug addicts, and dentist can do miracules.

Make sure you brush three times a day and stay out of fist fights!

[antiver]

I hate braces.. the last thing my orthodontist told me was that your teeth will ALWAYS shift back to their original, natural positions, no matter how long you have braces on. It will be a slow, subtle process, but it will happen.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I think that is an exaggeration. But it is a good CYA thing to tell patients ahead of time.

[vsjhoc]

I hate braces.. the last thing my orthodontist told me was that your teeth will ALWAYS shift back to their original, natural positions, no matter how long you have braces on. It will be a slow, subtle process, but it will happen.

That's why you wear a retainer every night (or even a permanent one) after the braces are off.