Braces advise

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Zeon

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#171204 9-Apr-2015 18:28

Hey guys,
My girlfriend is wanting to get braces - she is 27 so its a little bit later in life than most.

She has been told she needs 4 front teeth removed as an absolute minimum and preferably her 3 wisdom teeth too. Two of her wisdom teeth are complex because they are horizontal. She has been going to Lumino orthodontists for her advice and probably to get the work done. They can't remove the teeth nor install anchors (called TAD) which need to be done by a surgeon.

She has been quoted the following amounts, do they look fair?

Teeth removal (with 1 wisdom tooth only removed) and anchors - $1,500
Teeth removal (all wisdom including complex) - $3,000
Braces $9,500

All prices include GST. I know that after my dentist was bought out by Lumino it got like 50% more in price so not sure if they are well priced?

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#1279914 9-Apr-2015 18:33

I am a teenager, so it was less complex, but I paid about $6k for my braces to fix my underbite. I had 4 teeth removed also at additional cost, but obviously not the wisdom teeth. All up including fancy xrays and tooth removal it was almost $7k.
I don't have any experience with Lumino unfortunately, but others I know have said that they are quite expensive.

kendo

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#1279927 9-Apr-2015 18:50

yikes...braces are expensive

scuwp

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#1279931 9-Apr-2015 18:57

$7K for my sons braces, no removals. We keep joking that his first car is now in his mouth ;-) Lol

If you tell us where you are based maybe you could get come recommendations.

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wasabi2k

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#1279945 9-Apr-2015 19:19

Oral Surgery will mean anesthetist so 1500 is not outlandish. IF you have medical insurance you may be covered for the surgical extraction. No insurer covers braces apparently.

I got braces this year (at 30) - so it isn't that uncommon. My mother also got them around this age. I don't need anchors or anything, total all up is close to 7k. 2.5k up front then the rest in 6 week installments when I go in for tightening etc. My niece has anchors etc and is looking closer to 10k, which is in line with your estimates.

Tooth extractions can range from $70 for a yank with pliers to thousands if you are talking surgery and being put under. You normally pay close to $1k for anesthetist so probably makes sense to do them all at once - though recovery will suck.

So all in all - those numbers don't look ridiculous.

Nothing stopping you from shopping around. I can recommend my orthodontist in West Harbour if you are out West Auckland.

khull

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#1279969 9-Apr-2015 19:42

6 teeth taken out including wisdom - the orthodontist will send you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for extraction with a referral. The numbers you posted seems fair but it all depends on the condition and severity of the work required. Just be aware of the months of constant pain but the end result is worth every single dollar spent

timbosan

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#1279973 9-Apr-2015 19:49

Having 3 kids have braces, and myself having a wisdom tooth extracted by an Oral Surgeon, the prices you quote look fair.

However, with child number 4 we took a different approach through Alpers Dental (if your in Auckland). Instead of extractions then braces then a plate, they did it the other way around - plate first to expand the bridge which means teeth can be moved into the new gaps, meaning no extractions. Then after about 18 months, braces for a year to actually move the teeth into place. It has worked really well.

Of course, this won't do anything for a bad wisdom tooth. Having had an impacted one removed under local, I can say it took a good week before I could use my jaw properly again.

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alasta

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#1280078 9-Apr-2015 22:52

My case is complex and I was quoted $8500 for two years of orthodontic treatment. I decided not to go ahead as the cost and hassle did not justify the benefit for me.

The cost of extractions will vary greatly depending on whether you have a general anaesthetic, or local anaesthetic with IV sedation. My second and third molars were a real mess and when I had them out at hospital ten years ago it cost $5k. The surgeon offered to do it for $2k with IV sedation but I got the impression that it was going to be a very unpleasant experience. Make sure you understand the options.

I suggest taking the opportunity to deal with all issues in one go, otherwise you'll spend many months or years worrying about the next lot of extractions.

Glassboy

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#1280091 9-Apr-2015 23:24

Who are the braces advising?

Zeon

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#1280112 10-Apr-2015 02:49

Thanks for the responses guys. She is based in central Auckland so anywhere within Auckland is fine in terms of adjustments etc. I believe she went somewhere in Remuera but not exactly sure of the place.

Anyway it seems the costs are fair. The hardest part looks like all the rules about braces. No snacks, no sugar, etc. wow.

I remember a few years ago at Tae Kwon Do a guy was doing sparring with braces in. One kick to the head and half of them were ripped off an blood going everywhere. Looked expensive!

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scuwp

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#1280148 10-Apr-2015 07:52

Checked with the wifey last night who formerly worked in dentistry. She reckons that price is about right for the work needed.

You soon get use to looking after them and what foods to avoid etc, it's a quick learning curve. They seem very popular with kids and adults alike, not like the old days where 'metal mouth' was a playground taunt. My son is due to have his taken off in a couple of weeks, he nearly cried...wants to keep them!

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kiwitrc

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#1280171 10-Apr-2015 08:36

Wow braces are expensive. I would love to see a breakdown of material and labour costs to justify it.

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jamesrt

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#1280206 10-Apr-2015 09:12

Material costs are probably fairly low; but the labour costs are high. Having said that, you're normally being seen by a specialist, who has to purchase specialist equipment, pay for support staff, and pay rental on their premises, pax tax, kiwisaver for employees, etc; and hopefully make enough to live off. That all gets charged back to the customer as that's their income source.

kiwitrc

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#1280219 10-Apr-2015 09:24

jamesrt: Having said that, you're normally being seen by a specialist, who has to purchase specialist equipment, pay for support staff, and pay rental on their premises, pax tax, kiwisaver for employees, etc; and hopefully make enough to live off. That all gets charged back to the customer as that's their income source.

To be fair this is the same for most people in business, a new truck wouldn't be cheap.

I guess the big difference is in the cost of training such as student loans, time taken to learn the trade etc. No doubt they are still cheaper than a lawyer who doesn't need any specialist equipment :)

surfisup1000

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#1280280 10-Apr-2015 10:11

Thailand comes to mind.

kiwitrc

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#1281315 12-Apr-2015 09:02

Just heard an ad on the radio for these, they say half the cost of conventional braces, might be worth a look http://www.supremedentalconcepts.co.nz/services/fastbraces/

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