Dr. ? Pickron Orthodontics Smryna

I saw Dr. ? at the Pickron office in Smyrna. Dr. ? was there because Dr. Castillo was not in that day. By the number of technicians in the office, I imagine she rarely shows up. The office was very comfortable but kind of cold and informal. It was clear that it was a franchise practice. 

Not much to say about this visit except they saw me quickly and gave me a good price. $4100 including bonded retainers for 18 month of treatment for clear braces on the top and the bottom. They also said they would price match any other offers I had received. They also were willing to put my braces on that day!

By the time I reached my driveway, I was calling them back to make an appointment. It was the lowest price, convenient to both home and work and the office was clean. But, by the next morning I was having second thoughts and thinking back to my visit with Reising Orthodontics a month earlier. 

I decided to choose Reising.

Dr. Tameka Hall of Desinger Smiles

I saw Dr. Hall in her Lithia Springs office a few hours after the Dr. Cowler debacle so it wouldn't take much for me to give her a greta review. But she was actually awesome! The office was very comfortable and her receptionist/assistant was really cool. 

I was called back after about 10 minutes. Dr. Halls office was the first consultation that included an x-ray. She was extremely through. I was totally in love with her, the staff and the office. Dr. Hall advised me against Invisalign and explained that the tray just pull you teeth back to close the spaces and I would look much better after traditional braces. She said it would take 18-24 months to complete the treatment. The price would be $5160 and would include both bonded and removable retainers. The monthly payments after $500 down would be $196.

Why I didn't choose Dr. Hall

1) Her office is five minutes from my house but an hour away from my job!

2) The cost was just too much. It is a new office and I imagine she just can't afford to offer lower prices.

Dr. Barry Clower A.K.A. "Da Worst"

My first impression of Dr. Clower and his Austell office was the same as the last... horrible! His office is a converted ranch style house and if it was still a residential home, DFCS wouldn't allow children to live in it. It smelled and looked old. 

When I went to sign in the kind receptionists let me know they were behind and it may be awhile. I was taken aback because it was 8:30 am! How the heck do you get behind first thing in the morning. My wait was 45 minutes! Through the whole thing I was just thinking, " This place has to be super cheap and you get what you pay for."

I was finally called into a room that had previously been the porch with a sliding glass door that looked out into the main office space. There were about six dental chairs lines up with patients with cantankerous assistants cuts things out of their mouth and throwing it into a bowl. No one seemed happy to be there.

After a half an hour Dr. Clower comes in to see me. He had gross levels of hair on his arms and seemed like he was in a hurry. He didn't give me much time to answer questions but he did feel the need to point out that I wouldn't find a better deal in town. I should note Dr. Clower oozed sleaziness that is usually only seen at "Buy here, pay here" car dealerships.

Bottom line, his deal sucked. He said it would take 24 months to close my gaps. I wont break down the fees because he pretty much had a separate charge for everything, records, retainer visits, etc. In total in came to about 6G's for clear braces on the top and traditional on the bottom. 

Dude had me twisted if he thought I was gonna pay 6G's for his hairy, moldy office services.

Dr. Barry Cohen, Smyrna

First, I went to Dr. Barry Cohen who has offices in Smryna and Dunwoody. he would be great because he has an office near my home and job so getting to adjustments would be a breeze. I was also sold on visiting him when I saw a picture of a former student on his website! (www.bcohenortho.com) I remember her being an awesome kid with fabulous teeth!

So, I arrived at the Smyrna office and it is very crowed but I am called after about 5 minutes in the waiting area. Dr. Cohen was really nice and he went to Emory so we had a lot to talk about. He said I would be an ideal candidate for Invisalign because I had no bite or jaw issues, only the need to close gaps. He said he gave me a "teacher's discount" but it was still really expensive. It would be $306 for records, 1995 down and $365 per month for 9 months. He did mention that the gaps on the side may not close up all the way but it would not be that noticeable.

Why I didn't choose Dr. Cohen:

1) I don't have $365 a month. He acts like my ex-husband pays child support. If me and the child support fairy were friends, I would just get veneers cause thats how much money that dude owes me.

2) I didn't like the idea that the Invisalign wouldn't completely close teh gap.

3) Did you do the math and see it was over 5G's total! I teach rich kids but they ain't leaving tips at the bell.

Why Death to Gaps for Cutie

Okay, the cutie part may be disputable but the gap(s) will definitely die! Plus, Death Cab for Cutie is from nobody town in Washington in which I wasted three years of my life called Bellingham.

Anywho...

As father time works his magic on me, my teeth keep parting like the Red Sea. I've had it in mind to work against nature and correct the gaps in my teeth for about three years now. This blog will chronicle my transition from gap tooth monster to broke ass monster with perfect teeth.

The first step was to get consultations from orthodontist. I rock at getting consultations. I rocked five times over!