u/Beneficial-Loss1025

Hamster tax included of course!

Sorry in advance for the long rant!

Let’s call my orthodontist Dr. John. In 2023, I paid $5500 for Invisalign Lite. Dr. John has been in charge of my entire case. I have been VERY diligent with my aligners. Well, fast forward to now - I finished my 5th (5th!!!) round of refinements and my teeth are still not straight.

Dr. John is now retiring and he’s given ownership of the practice to a new doctor - Dr. Jane. I met Dr. Jane for the first time for my post refinement appointment, where I expressed my concerns about my teeth. She explained that my plan has officially expired and she cannot order more refinements for me. Apparently, all of the extra refinements that I received were generously covered by the old ownership.

She gave me two options: 1) start a new Comprehensive Invisalign plan with unlimited refinements where she will honor the original price I paid of $5500. 2) transition to traditional metal upper and lower braces for a “major discounted price” of $3800.

I feel so frustrated and cheated. I know Invisalign isn’t supposed to end up with perfect results. But if I was going to end up with Comprehensive Invisalign anyway, I wish I had just started out with that plan. I’m sure Dr. John had his reasons, but still…

I had many frustrations with Dr. John throughout my entire treatment, where I felt like he wasn’t listening to me and always brushing off my concerns. I expressed multiple times (both in person and over emails) that my teeth were not moving properly. I requested more aggressive refinement plans that would slightly overcorrect my teeth since my teeth seemed to be more on the stubborn side; I requested new attachments when old ones weren’t working anymore; and many more! He never listened to me and said he knew best. He assured me that my teeth would be fine.

3 years later, look where I am now… having to bear a cost that I feel I shouldn’t have to pay.

On the bright side, Dr. Jane is lovely. She seems much more detailed oriented and was more attentive in my concerns. Plus, my teeth aren’t terribly crooked - not nearly as much as they used to be. A normal person probably wouldn’t even be able to tell, but I notice it, you know?

My question is - do I move forward with spending another few grand on orthodontic treatment? If so, which route should I go? Is the quote I’m receiving for traditional braces an actual discount or am I being ripped off? I’m afraid if I don’t take the discounted price now then I’ll never see a price that low again.

Would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks