Entering my 40s, I toyed with the idea of pursuing Invisalign to address minor crowding in my lower…read moreincisors. Appearances and oral health is important in my line of work. I approached this decision with careful consideration. I chose Fishbein Orthodontics as they appeared to have a solid reputation in Pensacola.
From the outset, my experience at Fishbein was largely positive. The staff was warm and professional, the facility had state-of-the-art equipment, and the addition of Zoom whitening upon treatment completion added an extra layer of appeal.
Regrettably, my journey has left me with a sense of disappointment.
While the follow-up visits were generally pleasant, I felt that the communication and the monitoring of my progress was lacking. The office gave me an estimated timeline of 12 months which seemed reasonable considering that my correction was relatively straightforward. However, it extended significantly due to what I can only describe as negligence on the part of Fishbein Orthodontics.
The game plan was to align my lower incisors and address a slight overbite, again, nothing complex. (see photos posted for reference). However, after completing my treatment and having my attachments removed, I felt satisfied with my results. My teeth looked straight, and though my bite felt a bit off, I didn't think much of it. I assumed it might just take some time to adjust, Fishbein never indicated any issues during the removal, so I trusted that everything was fine.
In the days ahead, I started experiencing discomfort in my jaw to the point where I needed to insert my retainers throughout the day just to feel some comfort. Concerned, I decided to seek a reevaluation.
My biggest concern at this point was that I may have developed a posterior open bite aka: POB, this issue is often underestimated by patients and practitioners. Brushing this matter under the rug is not recommended given its implications for oral health. I'm not one to jump to conclusion, so I was hoping Fishbein would get to the bottom of it all.
Long story short, after months of new refinements and elastic bands to correct my bite, I requested a meeting with one of the Doctors to discuss my concerns. Credit to Dr. George who was able to shed some light and provided valuable information. He listened carefully to what I had to say, and gave me the attention that I have been seeking since I started.
Turns out my bite naturally had a slight over jet and it needed time to settle. After wearing aligners for long periods of time a a 2.5 year span, I became accustomed to the way that my bite felt with my aligners on. My bottom jaw's muscle memory was conditioned to push forward.
This should have been addressed months earlier. Instead, they kept giving me refinements and not monitoring the bite as they should have. An explanation on how my bite was supposed to align along with a little education would have served me well. Their only focus was on straightening the teeth with little to no attention to the bite which is equally as important.
The lack of attention to this key detail not only prolonged my treatment but also added frustration to an already challenging process.
Looking back, I realize that adopting a "set it and forget it" mindset and a "trust the process" mentality was not the right approach. Assuming that Fishbein would address all aspects of my dental health beyond straightening my teeth was a mistake.
Another downside is the frequent turnover of doctors and assistants, resulting in an impersonal experience. My expectation was to establish a relationship and rapport with one Doctor. However, the constant rotation of staff made my experience feel mechanical, like being on a conveyor belt. This lack of personal connection left me feeling dissatisfied and undervalued as a patient.
My intent is not to bash this practice but to provide genuine feedback as I believe there is much to like but there's just as much room for improvement. As a patient, you invest too much time, money and patience, you deserve to get the best possible treatment. Hopefully Fishbein reads my review and considers making some changes for the sake of future patients.
In summary, while Fishbein may have some positive aspects, my personal experience fell short of expectations. Their failure to provide adequate monitoring and proactive communication, combined with their impersonal approach to patient care due to staff turnover, was a major let down for me. Knowing what I know now, if given the chance for a do-over, I would have gone with a private practice, and opted out for traditional braces.
