Can an orthodontist afford this lifestyle?

What is the best way to find an orthodontist who will do only the specific things I am desiring to do?

• I went to the orthodontist today (first visit ever to one), and basically I was told that I "need" (just like when you go to a mechanic and "need" an oil change and they tell you that you need enough parts for a new motor) a $50,000 jaw surgery that would require days in the hospital, weeks off from work, braces before, during and after surgery, etc. I do not have dental insurance. The orthodontist said I have a cross-bite (my top jaw is smaller and my bottom jaw supposedly is 'longer' and would require shortening). I'm missing #7 and #10 wisdom teeth due to apparently a congenital condition in my family. #24 and #25 teeth are still baby teeth, and I'm 27 years old...the other teeth never grew in to replace them. However, those baby teeth are healthy, so I'm unsure what could be done for them. Frankly speaking, I do not have a lot of "jaw" problems in general. I realize what they are saying, but I cannot afford $50,000 and it's not worth that much to me. I have several crooked (varying in size, one or two are halfway in a different direction than they need to be, etc.) teeth that, as far as I know, should be able to be reasonably straightened with braces. I understand that this will not fix my "cross bite"...but I really don't care about that. All that I care about is filling the gaps due to missing teeth for #7 and #10 with hopefully implants (not sure how they would go about moving the other teeth back to make a little more space on either side). I need gum grafts and already know an oral surgeon that will do those, and I will have those done myself...my regular dentist agreed that I need them either way. How do I go about finding an orthodontist who will put braces on my teeth and help me straighten the crooked teeth and move the ones needed in order to get a little more space on either side for #7 and #10 implants...but without giving me the third degree that I "must" get the jaw surgery? I do not want the jaw surgery, and surely there is someone out there that doesn't mind the thousands of dollars that braces do cost, to put on the braces that I desire and that I'm willing to pay for. So that I can get my implants to hopefully fill the gaps after the teeth are moved back a little, and be done with it. I'll keep the cross-bite...I just want straight teeth. I seem to be having trouble getting orthodontists and dentists to understand this. If I'm paying...why am I having trouble? I can choose what I do and do not want...and I know for a fact I don't want jaw surgery...just straight teeth and to get rid of the gaps caused by the missing teeth.

• Answer:

  I have tmj. Which is where my lower jaw is set farther back then my upper. I was also offered a 50,000 surgery and turned it down 6 years ago. The same orthodontist did put my braces on but because i didn't get the surgery I had to wear my braces for 4 years and still have to wear a retainer every night (forever). The problem with your jaw effects the way your teeth grow, so it can cause your teeth to move and grow back crooked after the braces are removed. So it's up to you, I chose wearing the retainer for my whole life cause I didn't want to go through with the surgery. But it shouldn't be a problem finding another ortho to put them on without the surgery.