<p>I just recently found out that I will be needing braces for at least 2 years. The problem is, I will be going off to college soon, and I am worried that I will not be able to go to my orthodontist to get checkups as often as I need to. </p>
<p>Have any of you had experience with a situation like this? Is this something I need to worry about?</p>
<p>Personal experience says that it’s almost always possible to return home on short notice during random weekends. Even if you attend college 2500mi away from home (opposite coasts), it’s only a 6hr flight.</p>
<p>Even if you can’t work it out, there’s plenty of orthodontists everywhere, so you can probably work with another orthodontist near your college.</p>
<p>and a ****ing expensive flight, don’t forget that.</p>
<p>Talk to your orthodontist about it. He can’t make you wear braces if you’re not gonna be able to come in for check-ups. He might modify the treatment plan so that the tightenings line up with your breaks from school, although that could end up making the treatment take longer overall.</p>
<p>You don’t see anyone with braces in college because isn’t the problem dealt with earlier in life? I’d say if you’ve gotten along so far without braces then what dif is 4 years going to make?</p>
<p>I’ve seen people with braces in college. If the orthodontist is saying you definitely need to have them straightened then I’d listen to him over an internet forum.</p>
<p>In my opinion, if you definitely need braces you may as well get it taken care of now rather than when you graduate and are interviewing. Plus, nice teeth are attractive and college is all about thinking about the long run. I’m slightly biased since I had braces freshman year, but they never caused too big a hassle.</p>
<p>If your braces aren’t already in, ask for a referral to an orthodontist in your school’s area. Makes it much easier if your ortho isn’t open on the weekends and, even if they are, flying/driving home the weekend of a test is a pain.</p>
<p>As for my experience, I attended a college several hours away and had an orthodontist in my hometown who wasn’t open Fridays or weekends. I booked my appointments two months in advance so I could make sure I got the first Monday morning slot (if I didn’t have important morning classes) and appointments on 3 day weekends or breaks. Still, my appointments were often seven and sometimes eight weeks apart instead of six, meaning that I had to have my braces on for longer than originally anticipated.</p>
<p>How far from your college is home?</p>
<p>It’s only a two hour drive for me, so I can usually get an appointment when needed.</p>
<p>I do know someone who flies back for appointments (which otherwise would have been a 6-7 hour drive), which I find to be pretty… yeah. If it’s far away I would say check out orthodontist in the area that your school is at. It will save much hassle, but then you have to worry about winter and summer breaks.</p>
<p>Talk to your dentist about it. Simple as that.</p>
<p>Real experience here.
DD got braces put on in December of her senior year in high school. I had to “buy out” the contract from the original orthodontist (not the total price of the contract, but to cover the cost of the hardware in her mouth and services rendered thus far) and find her a new ortho close to her new school. (She went out of state.) The new ortho gave a price for finishing the treatment. No problem. It did end up costing me a bit more because of the buy out and switch, but there really was no other way. (She doesn’t come home very often.) She liked the new ortho better anyway. </p>
<p>If your ortho is a chain, you may be able to transfer your treatment to a closer office.</p>