Looking for adult orthodontist in Dallas (Center: low income, insurance, how much)

[IGuy123]

I need to find a good orthodontist in the dallas area. I live in las colinas. Adult ortho isn't covered on my dental plan so price is an issue. I don't need financing, but I'm trying to keep it as affordable as possible.

As I kid i never had the dental work I needed, and I am probably going to need braces, wisdom teeth pulled, and jaw surgery to correct my bite. I haven't been to the dentist in years, so I don't even know where to start.

I've thought about trying out the Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry. Has any one had any experience having dental work done here. I definatly would like to get some second opinions from private orthodontists so any referrals would be appreciated.

[pepper131]

I have some friends who do the Baylor program - they qualify as low income. You have to apply and get accepted into their program, so keep that in mind.

I saw two orthodontists to get estimates for my treatment. I'm 2 yrs into my treatment.
Dr Patricia Simon at Lakewood Orthodontics.
And Dr Terry Adams who has his office above Sevy's near Preston Center.

I chose Dr Simon because she was closer to my house and the parking situation was easier. She also excellent - it was recommended that I have jaw surgery again (had it at 15 yrs old) and I told her no way was I doing it again. So she is pushing it to the max with my treatment including removing a bottom front tooth to make space.

Both treatment plans were the same price basically...close 7k.

[IGuy123]

Thank you, that was exactly what I was looking for. I am going to schedule an appointment with Patricia. I appreciated her website, and hor well she addressed the needs of adult patients. I also want to investigate t the Baylor program and had a few more questions to any one in the know...

Would you trust students to do this type of dental work?

Do you have to be "low income"?

Typically what is involved in getting "accepted"?

I've read the become a patient thing on their website and it says you can only call on wednessdays to schedule your 1 1/2 hour evaluation so I will probably do that this wednessday. I just wonder if its worth my time (will I really save thousands? Do most people get accepted?)

Does any one know where i can find more information?

[pepper131]

I really don't know how much you will save, but I know it's all supervised by teaching doctors - so you'll probably be in good hands. But there may be a waiting list to get into the ortho part.

I recall one of my friends, who uses Baylor as her dental care, going to an orthodontist to get her daughter started in braces before she got too old and paid for a palatal seperator. For that reason, I think there's a wait.

I'm not sure what the income requirements are, I thought there were some - but I'm not comfortable asking my friends about this or what costs they pay.

[jerzstyle00]

Originally Posted by IGuy123

As I kid i never had the dental work I needed, and I am probably going to need braces, wisdom teeth pulled, and jaw surgery to correct my bite. I haven't been to the dentist in years, so I don't even know where to start.

I believe it could be too late for braces if your looking to push your teeth inward.I put my braces on at age 25 for about 2 years and didn't notice much improvement.But then again that was 7 years ago maybe they have better technology on this stuff today.

[pepper131]

Just found out....Another friend of mine has an appt on Wed for an evaluation at Baylor. They have a very unusual circumstance that will be a great learning tool for their students - bone grafts and more for a 16 yr old plus ortho. Surgery alone would cost them 25k.

The mom said you can call only during 10-11:30 am on Wed. She kept getting a busy signal - and basically redialed for the hour and a half - 78 times before she reached someone!!!! So good luck!!!

[KevSwanson]

With 3 kids that need braces, I cannot afford 7K. Fortunately, I have found an orthodontist in South Dallas who delivered braces for eldest kid for little over 4K with great results in less than 1 year.

Originally Posted by pepper131

I have some friends who do the Baylor program - they qualify as low income. You have to apply and get accepted into their program, so keep that in mind.

I saw two orthodontists to get estimates for my treatment. I'm 2 yrs into my treatment.
Dr Patricia Simon at Lakewood Orthodontics.
And Dr Terry Adams who has his office above Sevy's near Preston Center.

I chose Dr Simon because she was closer to my house and the parking situation was easier. She also excellent - it was recommended that I have jaw surgery again (had it at 15 yrs old) and I told her no way was I doing it again. So she is pushing it to the max with my treatment including removing a bottom front tooth to make space.

Both treatment plans were the same price basically...close 7k.

[KennethAuyeung]

Yeah!!! It's wise to choose the Affordable Dentistry and Orthodontics or any insurance plans(be aware of it's features properly), otherwise it will be a lot pain to you.