My name is Mike. I am a 36-year-old married dad of three from Ipswich. After speaking with Derek at my last check-up he suggested writing a blog for the Christchurch Dental website so that I can let you know how my Invisalign treatment is going and pass on any hints and tips.
Why have I chosen to have treatment and why Invisalign? I have played sport, rugby, martial arts etc the whole of my like, so my teeth were never a cosmetic priority. I have never really liked the look of my teeth. Health wise, they are good, but cosmetically, not great. Having a father-in-law as a dentist never really helped. Although my treatment from him was excellent and very cheap, whenever I mentioned cosmetic procedures, I was met with the classic line “there’s nothing wrong with your teeth!” the truth is that there is nothing wrong with them health wise, but to look at, they always bugged me. My front two teeth are twisted and worn. My lower teeth have “crowding” and this makes it very difficult to floss. I also have a few chips on the upper front teeth from a passionate prop from a well-known Essex rugby club! So I made the decision to investigate the procedures available for straightening teeth, braces etc.
I found Invisalign from “googling” online. Several large practices in London were offering the services for a competitive price, but I was really looking for something more local. I left it for a little while, and I just happened to be on a search for a new dentist in Ipswich, when I contacted Christchurch Dental to see if they were taking on new patients. During my initial visit, I noticed that the practice was offering the Invisalign treatment. After a detailed chat with Anna (the practice manager) and Derek (my new dentist), they gave me the rough costs of the Invisalign treatment. I had some idea before, and the costs were looking good, even compared to the London practices, and even better, this was on my doorstep.
“What were the costs?” you all ask. Well, this is the tricky bit. It’s a bit like quoting to repair a faulty car, without going in the bonnet, or looking underneath the chassis. The answer is until the dentist investigates, he can’t really give an accurate price. The next step gets you the price you want. I had four 3D x-rays done of my teeth, as well as the detailed photos from Derek. (WARNING….prepare to see yourself/teeth in the most disgustingly detailed way, I don’t think Derek could have purchased a more advanced camera, with higher megapixels!!) With this information, Derek sent the x-rays and shots offer to Invisalign in America. The cost so far: £50 for the initial consultation, and £400 for the x-rays, BUT DON’T PANIC!!……. These costs come off your final Invisalign package price.
Following these x-rays and photos I now have my price, x-rays and my Invisalign predictive video, which shows what is achievable with their technology. This in itself is an incredible insight to what is available to your own requirements. I have decided to go ahead with the treatment and my Invisalign braces should be ready any day for fitting. I will be updating my blog the day after fitting and then periodically after each fitting, change, mood swing, or argument with the wife.
Regards Mike
