Clearstep in Administration

MrsExample

I'm needing some advice over the whole Clearstep thing, so far the advice on here has been really helpful.

Like ummlay I too bought the deal on groupon. I paid £1600 on my credit card for both arches to be done. I started treatment last May and have initially had metal braces along the side of my teeth top and bottom after having 2 teeth taken out on the bottom due to the overcrowding. I should have had the metal braces off months ago and gone onto the plastic retainers, but obviously that isn't going to happen now, or not on the Clearstep system anyway.

I was a little worried about trying to claim for a refund from my bank in case it did upset my dentist who then might leave me high and dry, but he fully back me in trying. Anyway, the bank have refused to give me any money back due to the time that has passed since I bought the voucher on groupon (January 2012). Also they say that groupon fully honoured their part by paying my dentist for the treatment.

The most recent update I have had from my dentist (and this is what I really need the advice on) is that he will continue treating me and will foot the bill but ONLY if I continue treatment with metal train track braces. To have plastic retainers with another company he has sourced will cost me anything between another £1500-£3800. I really can't afford to be paying out again as paid the £1600 upfront with groupon. I understand that the metal train tracks may appear the best option as it won't cost me anything else, but at the end of the day it is not the treatment I paid for. I am reluctant to go for this treatment aswell because I worry that as soon as the braces are removed my teeth will still move back to an extent while the bone is not fully healed. I thought at least with the plastic retainers I can keep wearing them while the bone fully hardens....

I fully understand and sympathize with the position my dentist is in, but should he be asking me for more money? Should he not be making this right at his cost? I don't want to end up on bad terms with him, but I paid for a treatment that I won't get if I just go for the metal train tracks.

I'm due at my dentist at the end of the week and will have to make a decision, so any advice would be greatly appreciated

brook2jack

Train track braces are the rolls Royce of orthodontic treatment because they can achieve results and corrections that aligner systems cannot. They are far more controllable and subtly adjustable than alligner systems and allow all teeth to be moved.

All brace systems need retainers to be worn for life to guarantee no relapse. That may be with wires bonded to the back of the teeth or with removable retainers and these are always provided anyway at the end of train track braces.

Your dentist will have taken a financial hit if they have already paid for the Clearstep treatment but will finish off your treatment at a considerable cost to himself. £1600 is a very reasonable price for fixed (train track) braces for top and bottom jaws, I find it difficult to understand how they could have offered alligners top and bottom at this price in the first place. It really does not seem reasonable to expect them to pay another few thousand themselves to provide you with alligner type braces for both jaws when they have done the honourable thing and offered to finish your treatment off.

Stephb1986_2

I must admit I've been on invisalign for nearly 3 years ( I must pull myself together and get it finished) I wish I had gone for train tracks now as it's been to easy not to wear invisalign and that's why I am in the position I am now with a month or two left of invisalign but been to lazy to wear it

Steph x

Toothsmith

MrsExample wrote: »

I'm due at my dentist at the end of the week and will have to make a decision, so any advice would be greatly appreciated

As Brook said - snap his hand off!

You'll be getting a more reliable method that will probably get the job done quicker and better than any 'vanity' system.

The dentist will almost certainly provide you with a set of retainers at the end of treatment anyway - its usually all part of it.

Get going, get finished and enjoy your new smile. I think you've still got a good deal.