Expert: Benjamin Schwartz, DDS FAGD - 2/23/2009

Question
I started invisalign in February of last year and had a total of 10 trays. The first month went well with 1 tray every 2 weeks.  I prepaid 5 months in advance but on tray 3 my teech were hurting and cut into my gum so my Orthodotist suggested I wear the reamining trays for 3 weeks each. On the 8th tray I was in so much pain I stopped wearing the invisalign for several weeks before I finally went to my dentist to discover I had an abcess and also needed a root canal. Once the infection cleared up I started back but unfortunately I had to go back 3 or 4 trays once everything cleared up and the paid subsided. In November my Orthodontist told me I was ready for my retainers & I was rescheduled to the beginning of January due to the holidays so I wore the 10th tray for about 7 addl. weeks. Before I was fitted My Dr. asked (in Jan 09) if I would consider wearing metal braces for 3 months and I advised I did not want to do that. I received my retainers the first week of Feb. 2009 and then the person who goes over the cost advised me that the Dr. wants to continue treatment even though the original agreement was cost would stop at the time I received my retainer.  She said he has two small pieces of metal in my retainer to help move two of my teeth a little more.  She also advised I need to start paying the $190 a month I agreed on.  I told her I had asked on two occassions if I owed anything and I was told no.  She said that my insurance Company paid July through January & I have a February balance of $190 minus a $28 credit left over from January.  I had no idea I was being charged each month since the insurance paid one large lump sum.  Now the Dr. doesn't need to see me again until the end of April but expects me to pay $190 a month.  Can I get out of this contract.  It specificaly says until I receive my retainers.  The office won't even give me an estimate.  Do you have any suggestions on what I can do.

Answer
Hi Jim,

I wish I could help you out more here, but this out not an easy thing to answer.

Here's what I would suggest;

Call the office and ask to make an appointment to speak with the doctor. Tell them that you are upset about the billing information.
Bring in with you all the papers and forms that you were given at the beginning of treatment.

Tell the Dr. that you are happy with the treatment, and do not want to leave the office on a bad note. Hopefully, the doctor will be able to work something out with you.

Good luck!