1 /5 Tyler Alexander: A few years ago, my mom was recommended Duthie Orthodontics to take me to for my braces. At the beginning, things were doing well and I liked the staff at Duthie. That was until 6 months after I got my braces, I had to restart the process since the expander the Dr had put in my mouth had reset itself. I was given a new expander and all was going well until I started complaining I was having issues with getting under the brackets to brush and floss properly because my gums were so swollen. Instead of anyone listening to me, I was blamed and told I wasn’t brushing well enough despite the fact I brushed, flossed, waterpiked, and used mouth wash 2x a day. I told them this and my mom confirmed what I was saying was true. I had my braces for 3 or 4 years. When I had my braces removed, I had cavities and holes lining the gums where I couldn’t reach underneath the brackets like I had been telling this office for YEARS. I was told “it’s probably just discoloration.” as I sobbed in the office and the chair. I will never forget the dental assistant’s annoyance in my 17 year old self crying because my once perfect white teeth, while not straight, were now destroyed and straight. Come to find out the metal they use in the wires and brackets contains nickel, which I am allergic to and no one even told me nickel was in the braces! The whole time I was having an allergic reaction to the braces and was not taken seriously. Funny how the swelling went down right after my braces were removed! I needed multiple teeth removed, partial dentures and root canals because of no one listening to me. I’m less confident in my smile then I ever was. I fully regret my decision of trusting Duthie Orthodontics with my teeth. If you’re allergic to nickel and want your concerns about your orthodontic care actually addressed and not dismissed and blamed for them, I suggest finding another orthodontist and not trusting Duthie at all.
