Follow my first step toward fixing my malocclusion at Clear Smiles Orthodontics, after a dentist’s referral. In this vlog, I share my hopes for a straighter smile and better bite, but discover the treatment’s high cost and the lifelong commitment to maintenance. My 14-month-old Spencer joins me, keeping me brave and staying well-behaved with his iPad. This is the start of my dental journey, with more clinic visits and options like metal braces to come. Stay tuned for the full series!
00:00Welcome to the next part of my dental journey. I am now going to be seeing a specialist orthodontist.
00:07So if you've been following the dental series, you know that I have been alerted that I do need to get my bite fixed.
00:13And I sort of know that inside anyway, like there's no contact on my front teeth here.
00:18So when I chew, all the load is hitting these, probably about four teeth at the back.
00:24And to be honest, it's hurting as I chew, especially hard things like apples, nuts and that sort of stuff.
00:30And to be able to chew your food is actually really important for health.
00:33And also malocclusion, it's not just a cosmetic thing.
00:36There are lots of, you know, health issues that go along with that as well, including difficulty swallowing.
00:44Interestingly, that can be another issue associated with it.
00:47So I'm a bit nervous. I'm a bit trembly.
00:50I don't like having my teeth looked out in case there's like more decay or cracked fillings.
00:56I'm a little bit worried too about cracked teeth or cracked fillings after the seizure because I did obviously clench my jaw quite hard.
01:04But it will be good to actually see a specialist today.
01:08He'll be able to give me the options of what's available.
01:10And different options come with different price points.
01:14Like I think Invisalign, the clear invisible one is probably on the higher end of the scale.
01:20And metal braces, I think, are on the lower end of the scale.
01:23So we're going to see what he has to say today.
01:25And I've got my little buddy with me who actually makes me feel braver.
01:29Don't you?
01:30Yeah, he's an awesome buddy.
01:32You come with me everywhere.
01:33All right.
01:46Well, of course, iPad is helping very much.
01:49Keeps Spencer happy.
01:51So I'm here now and I've had initial investigations.
01:54And then Dr. Zaman is going to come in and give me the options.
01:57But basically, I've had a CT, sort of just a small one of my mouth just to really get a good picture of it.
02:03And to be 100% honest, that was a bit scary.
02:06Because this roof thing on the CT machine kind of lowers, lowers, lowers.
02:10And I'm thinking, oh, I hope it stops in time.
02:13And then it just sort of took that image.
02:15Then I also had another 3D scan.
02:17So if you follow the dental series, you saw the 3D scan with Dr. Senf.
02:22So I've had another one now as well.
02:25And then, yeah, well, those two basically.
02:29And they're going to put the images or the scans together.
02:33And then Dr. Zaman is going to look at them and then come up with.
02:36Oh, and a video.
02:36Sorry, I almost forgot.
02:37It's a lack of sleep.
02:38A video too.
02:39I had to speak a short video just so they can see how my mouth moves.
02:43And then they're going to analyse that as well.
02:46And give me a bit of an idea on what my smile will look like after it's been aligned.
02:52So that's going to be really interesting.
02:53But, yes, I didn't realise that.
02:55So when you come in here, do get some initial scans and things.
02:59And then they're able to get a clear picture and let you know what they can do to fix this picket fence of a mouth I have.
03:12I've got to put my earrings back in because I had to take them off for the CT scan.
03:16And, in fact, I was very keen to because lately there's been headlines of a man that got sucked into an MRI machine and he ended up dying.
03:24So I was very happy to get the medal off.
03:26I said, thank you.
03:27Thanks for the warning.
03:29Well, that was a bit of a shock, the price I'm talking about.
03:33They were really nice in there, though.
03:35Like, Dr. Zaman was awesome.
03:37He even had a bit of a look at Spencer's teeth.
03:39He was getting Spencer to open and close his mouth.
03:41And they did all the sort of scans and pictures.
03:44They've got an excellent treatment plan proposed, but the cost was a little bit more.
03:50Well, you know, it's basically nine and a half grand to get my teeth straightened.
03:55So I guess that's going to vary for everybody.
03:58But for me, they've proposed Invisalign first.
04:02And then after about, I don't know, I'll have to go over the treatment plan.
04:06But after Invisalign, then putting little wings on the side of my teeth, too, that apparently then you slot a tooth into a slot at the top or something.
04:16It sort of forces your jaw a little bit forward, which would be really good for me because I do have a bit of a receding jawline, bottom jawline, receding chin, sorry.
04:24And then once you've done the Invisalign for a bit, then you have nighttime retainers.
04:30So the other sort of bit of shock to me about getting your teeth straightened was that, yes, they straighten your teeth.
04:39And Invisalign will do that.
04:41But then for the rest of your life, you'll need sort of wires, either wires in your teeth to sort of force them to stay in that straightened position and or nighttime retainers as well.
04:54So while they do straighten your teeth, it then sounds like your teeth will, for the rest of your life, keep wanting to go back into that unstraightened position, basically.
05:06So it's sort of a commitment, you know, like it's not just a walk in, get it fixed, and then walk out again like a cavity.
05:14It's sort of, you know, get them straightened with this treatment plan.
05:17It is quite expensive.
05:19And then there's that regular upkeep.
05:21But, look, I guess that's like anything, you know, like exercise, like anything that's sort of healthy and good for you.
05:27You do have to sort of upkeep it.
05:29So, you know, to find out that, that it's sort of an ongoing commitment even after that.
05:36And the cost was a little bit like, oh.
05:39But, look, you learn something new every day.
05:41And, you know, that was my case anyway.
05:43So it is going to be different for everyone.
05:45But, look, they were really nice.
05:46And I do know that there's a lot of health benefits to getting your teeth straightened.
05:52And I would be able to chew healthier.
05:56There's a lot of knock-on effects of that.
05:58And, yes, they would close up this.
06:00I've got what's called an open bite.
06:02So that's all good.
06:06Like, I'm, you know, really glad I came here today.
06:08Ben's been very patient, but he's probably run out of patience now.
06:12But, anyway, I've got the treatment plan.
06:14I'll be able to look over that, have a good think about it.
06:17And then, you know, it is something that I will, I would like to definitely get.
06:23But, I guess the time frame will depend a little bit when I suppose, whoops,
06:29when I have a bit of a think about it.
06:30And we see sort of how soon maybe we can get this done.
06:36So, yes, I look.
06:38My shoe.
06:39Oh, your shoe down.
06:40And your shoe, you've got both shoes on.
06:43Spencer's been very good.
06:44But, anyway, we're going to pop him in the car now.
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