Dentist Work - Shop around for Best Price, Treatment Abroad?

Madao on 02/11/2022 - 19:32
Last edited 02/11/2022 - 19:45

The Mrs has a dentist visit today and aside from a couple fillings she’s been recommended, at age 38, something called an Invisalign treatment.

This appears to be a non invasive invisible brace in place for a year followed by a custom retainer to be worn at night.

This has been recommended to address one tooth that’s only very very slightly misaligned. Honestly, my teeth are in worse alignment at a couple years older than her and I’ve never had anything like this recommended.

edit She had the old school train track braces in her teens and apparently this treatment is to help prevent further movement of teeth as you get older.

Anyway, for record taking, placement, removal, custom retainer after and a scale and polish they want $7,580.

So, is it reasonable to
1. Go for a second opinion to see if this is really necessary
2. Shop around to see if this treatment is available at a better price at a different dentist in Auckland. Unsure how much prices vary in NZ?
3. Look at treatment abroad for a better price (I’ve heard Samoa, Thailand or India are the usual go to’s) given this is non invasive treatment and therefore presumably low risk of complications

(Bonus is the local dentist takes Amex so at least that’s 15,000 CC points if she does go ahead here lol)

Cheers

General Discussion

Comments

  • Alan6984 on 02/11/2022 - 22:30
    +2

    1) It sounds entirely cosmetic? If so, then definitely not 'necessary' - she could carry on as is, and maybe review in ten years or if it ever seems to get worse.

    2) Absolutely - dental services are like any other service, and I would be astounded if prices did not vary

    3) No idea about that myself.

  • kiwiicheapies on 02/11/2022 - 23:07

    I have had the train track braces and got an invisalign retainer included with my treatment.

    I would highly suggest if you would like to keep your teeth fully straight, it would be best use it.

    My dentist told me to wear it once a week and every time I put it in I can tell my teeth have moved during the week (only slightly). However over a longer period of time it moves more (dentist said if I go about a month without wearing them then they might not fit anymore and would need to get them replaced.

    My teeth still look as good as the day I had gotten my braces off

    I went to dominion dental and after getting many of quotes, they seemed to be the cheapest.

    Happy with their service and prices

    • kiwiicheapies on 02/11/2022 - 23:11

      Obviously the decision would be based on how bad the tooth is misaligned and how expensive the job is, however id say that the invisalign retainers are important if you are wanting to keep the teeth aligned.

      If this is a case where the tooth is not affecting the Mrs, then I wouldnt really suggest forking out just to align one tooth.

      I would still suggest to visit many different dentists for their opinions

  • icecold on 03/11/2022 - 09:47

    For Invisalign you are better keeping it local.
    They monitor your progress during the course of treatment and each retainer is custom made based on progress etc.
    Very few dental practices will let you transfer from overseas treatment to them as they don't have the background knowledge on the initial consult etc.

    Where are you based?
    My partner is a former orthodontic auxiliary who used to fit both Invisalign and braces etc, now works in the AI field for dental monitoring.
    Can get a recommendation of practices local to you for a second opinion.

    • Madao on 03/11/2022 - 17:11

      Thanks, good advice on the overseas treatment transfer.

      We're in Takanini, South Aucks, but happy to travel for a decent practice

      • icecold on 05/11/2022 - 12:22

        Have a chat to the team at Auckland Orthodontics, they're in blockhouse bay.

  • timmywinny on 03/11/2022 - 10:30

    For Invisalign and teeth movement would prefer an orthodontist. Most offer free consults, worth checking to see if worthwhile

    • Madao on 03/11/2022 - 17:12
      +1

      Yes, sorry, apparently the dentist is referring her to an orthodontist for this

  • Phr0zeN on 08/11/2022 - 11:04

    NZ used to have SmileDirect which was about half the price

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