TLDR; Adult braces. Started Oct 2020 and estimated 12 months. Bottom teeth still not aligned after 21 months. Was asked to take down my initial review and got "corrective retainers" to fix teeth. Now I'm told it's not that my teeth aren't straight - it's the "shape"/width of my teeth that's the problem.
SPACERS: When Dr. Potter put on the spacers, he tried to put 4 in total (2 on each side). Right after the appt, I saw there was only 1 on each side. I went back and asked if this was intended. Dr. Potter said yes. At the next appt when they installed the braces, there was not enough space to put on my molar bands. 2 assistants and Dr. Potter tried multiple times to jam the bands in. However, they were still unable to make enough space for my right band, so they put on spacers again and said they will add the molar band at the next appt. This was the first time I felt like this orthodontist was not competent.
LOST MY TREATMENT CARD: My appts were 8 weeks apart, so rather than make appts while I was already in the office, the front desk staff always said they'll call later to make the next appt. However, after my 3rd appt, I realize I don't have an upcoming appt scheduled. I call the office, and they say they don't have my treatment card. They ask if I took it home with me; I tell them no, I always leave the office empty handed. They still ask me to check if I took my card with me. At my 2nd appt after that, I noticed they have my treatment card. I ask the front staff what happened, and they said it got mixed with other paperwork. This frustrated me as I was not only delayed on my treatment, but they also did not accept responsibility for losing my treatment card (and just assumed I took it with me).
POOR RESULTS AND MISLEADING: Once I reached the 12 month mark (the original treatment estimate), I asked Dr. Potter about the plan to straighten my bottom teeth at every appt after that. Most of the time he said they will just straighten on their own. It was not until I asked more assertively that he did something, usually IPR to "make more space" and fix the crowding.
I had IPR (filing down teeth) done on my bottom teeth 5 times. I am not a dental professional, but it seems like doing that that many times is not healthy. He didn't even seem to notice the misalignments I pointed out though they looked quite obvious to me (and should look even more obvious to an orthodontist?).
I gave Dr. Potter advance notice of 2 weddings in May and July and asked if I could get my braces off before them. He said he would take steps to do that, but my teeth were still not straight in July (close to my best friend's wedding), so I wrote a negative review.
It wasn't until my review that he took my braces off and provided "corrective retainers" to continue to align my teeth. Got the retainers (which were just normal Essix retainers) and was told to come back in 3 months. At the next appt, I ask about how he plans to still correct my teeth. He then says the shape/width of my teeth are what make them look uneven, and that I should ask my dentist about re-shaping them (i.e. nothing else he can do). This is false; I have pictures where my bottom teeth were straight early in the treatment until they got misaligned at some point and never went back.
I chose Dr. Potter because he was the most affordable option, I was referred from a friend (who is now also unsatisfied with her treatment), and I was given a short estimated time. I tried to be patient and trust what he was doing because he is the specialist. I would NOT recommend this orthodontist and regret having chosen him. Braces aren't cheap, so I recommend you save your time and money elsewhere. read more