Your First Visit
Before you first appointment, please print, fill out, and bring in the forms below:
At your initial appointment you will meet with our new patient coordinator along with one of our doctors. It is our goal to make your appointment informative and pleasant, and to fully address the needs of you and your child. This is a complimentary visit!
In order to best determine your needs, the appointment will consist of the following:
- Office Tour
- Clinical Examination
- Initial Diagnosis
- Discussion of Orthodontic Problems
- Guide to Treatment Options
- Guide to Timetable of Treatment
- Determination of Insurance Benefit
If treatment is indicated and a decision is made to proceed, we will request permission to obtain diagnostic information called records, which includes the following:
- Photographs of the mouth and face
- Cephalometric (or head) x-ray, showing the relative position of the teeth and supporting structures
- A panoramic x-ray
- An accurate set of models of the patient’s teeth and surrounding structures
Consultation
After an individualized treatment plan is developed, you will meet with your treatment coordinator and doctor, where they explain the process to start you or your child on the way to a beautiful, healthy smile.
Regular Appointments
The appointment to place your appliance (braces, expanders, etc.) usually takes from 1–2 hours. You will then see us at regular intervals approximately 6–8 weeks apart for adjustments, which take 20–40 minutes. Our regular office hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We also offer appointments 2 evenings each month, as well as 1 Saturday per month. Patients are seen by appointment only. We make every effort to be on time for our patients and we ask that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify us immediately. Cancel only if it is an emergency. It is difficult to reschedule you since most appointments are made 6–8 weeks in advance.
Payment & Office Policies
Cost
The cost of treatment depends on the severity of the patient’s problem. You will be able to discuss fees and payment options before treatment begins. We have payment plans to suit different budgets. We also accept most traditional insurances. We work hard to make orthodontics affordable.
Fees
In an effort to keep orthodontic fees down while maintaining the highest level of professional care, we have established this financial policy:
- If full payment is made at the onset of treatment, we will offer a fee discount. (If you have insurance, we will offer a discount for payment of your portion of the fee that will not be covered by insurance.)
- To fit your individual needs, financial arrangements can be made to extend your payments over a period of months.
- For your convenience, we accept payment by VISA and MASTERCARD.
- In cases of serious delinquency, treatment will be discontinued, although we will make every effort to accommodate patients with temporary difficulties.
Insurance
If you have insurance, we will help you to determine the coverage you have available. Please bring all of your insurance information to your first visit so we can assist you in determining your benefit. Unlike insurance coverage for regular dental treatment, most orthodontic coverage typically has a lifetime benefit for each insured individual for orthodontic services rendered. The benefit will be credited to your total fee and, as a convenience to you, we will accept payments directly from your insurance carrier. This benefit is generally paid monthly through the duration of treatment until the maximum benefit has been attained. The balance will be arranged for you to pay (see above). We will help in every way we can in filing your claim and handling insurance questions from our office on your behalf.
For medical reimbursement accounts, such as flex accounts, you may submit a copy of your account information provided by our office.
