You and the Orthodontist

First Visit to the Orthodontist

At the first visit, you will be seeing the Orthodontist and the treatment coordinator for an initial examination. Prior to this appointment, we will send you a welcome package which includes some information about the office, a map and medical/dental history forms in the mail. These forms help us to determine any special needs that you might have. When you come in, we will review the forms with you and then complete an examination.

The examination includes a thorough review of the teeth, jaws and their relationship to your face. There is no fee for this initial examination unless as a second opinion. A discussion of fees for total orthodontic treatment is usually postponed until the doctors have had a chance to review all the diagnostic records.

Following the examination, we sometimes take pictures of your face and molds of your upper and lower teeth, to create plaster models. Complete diagnostic records are taken for each patient and typically include plaster study models of your teeth, photos of your teeth and face as well as X-rays.

Second Appointment

At the second visit, you won't actually be coming to our office. Instead we will be sending you to another office for the rest of your orthodontic records.

Records are taken for us by "Northwest Radiography," a facility which specializes in taking X-rays of the teeth and jaws. At your visit to Northwest Radiography, you will have several different types of X-rays which will help us to determine how your teeth and jaws relate to each other. Pictures of your teeth and face will also be done at this appointment.

Records are then sent to our office for review by the orthodontist.

Third Appointment - The Consultation Appointment

Following a review of all these records, we will see you for your third appointment. At this appointment we will discuss the orthodontic problems associated with your bite determined from the initial examination and the diagnostic records. This discussion will include the options appropriate for your treatment as well as the cost for each treatment option. This appointment will give you the opportunity to discuss your concerns with the treatment coordinator and the doctors and to learn about the specific appliances that will be used in your orthodontic treatment.

Regular Orthodontic Appointments

Custom-made appliances or braces are prescribed according to the problems you have. They can be removable or fixed (cemented or bonded) and are made of metal, porcelain or plastic. The purpose of the appliances is to provide gentle pressure to the teeth and jaws to correct the problems associated with your bite, otherwise known as your "malocclusion." The appointment when you get your appliances (braces, expanders, etc.) usually takes between one and two hours. Once the appliances have been placed, you will begin seeing us at regular intervals 4-8 weeks apart for adjustments. These appointments usually take 15-45 minutes. Adjustments, sometimes mistakenly referred to as "tightening" appointments, involve placing new wires or braces or activating existing appliances.

While there are certain inconveniences that occur with appliances, such as modifying the kinds of foods that you can eat, most patients adjust to them quickly. Some patients are more "sensitive" than others, and may require softer foods and/or mild pain relievers (like Tylenol or Advil) following adjustment appointments.

Our regular office hours are from 8:00am-5:00pm. Patients are seen by appointment only. We make every effort to be on time for our patients, and ask that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify our office immediately. Cancel only if it is an emergency as it is difficult to reschedule since appointments are made 4-8 weeks in advance.

Payment and Office Policies

Cost of Treatment

The cost of treatment depends on the severity of the patient's problem. You will be able to discuss fees and payment options prior to the start of treatment. We have several payment plans to suit your individual needs. Our payment options are as follows:

• If full payment is made at the onset of treatment, we will offer you a fee discount of 7 percent.
• Down payment of 25 percent of the total treatment fee and then monthly payments on the balance for the duration of your treatment.
• A no-down-payment option furnished by "Orthodontic Fee Plan," whereby you pay the company and are charged a fee for their service.

For your convenience, we accept payment by VISA and MasterCard.

Insurance

If you have dental insurance that covers orthodontic treatment, we will provide you with the forms necessary to seek reimbursement, but we do not accept insurance assignment.

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