Our team of experts assist orthodontists in every step of patient’s treatment. We provide the most accurate evaluation of patient’s growth and development. We help you recognize pathology before, during and after orthodontic treatment. We assist orthodontists with orthodontic evaluation of patients using CBCT data.
We are always excited about meeting new patients during their first orthodontic visit to our office. Your initial appointment will consist of a thorough examination and a discussion of potential treatment options. This important 30-minute visit will give us insight into your orthodontic needs.
During the initial examination for each patient, we will address the following questions that cover the basics of orthodontic treatment. We encourage you to ask questions as well.
- Is there a condition that orthodontics can address?
- Is treatment needed now or should treatment be delayed until appropriate growth, tooth eruption or other factors have occurred?
What treatment procedures will be used to correct the problem? - Do any permanent teeth need to be removed?
- How long will treatment take?
- How much will it cost?
- What are my payment options?
We will then schedule what we call the “Start” appointment. We know your time is valuable so we combine two appointments in to one. We will take the necessary x-rays and photographs to help finalize the treatment plan. Our treatment coordinator will then review these records and discuss the treatment plan that Dr has formulated with the parent at the same time the patient is in the chair getting their braces. This treatment conference will also include discussing and any possible options, the treatment time frame and making the financial arrangements. In adult patients starting treatment, the braces are also placed on the same day as the treatment conference, either before or after placing the braces.
The Official Recommended Age
The American Association of Orthodontists officially recommends that kids should see an orthodontist for the first time between the ages of seven and nine. Even if the child does not have all his or her permanent teeth, the teeth growth pattern can usually be predicted quite effectively by an orthodontist.
This allows for a proactive response to emerging problems, and this is the reason that some younger children are now getting orthodontic devices earlier in life. If a young child has serious orthodontic issues emerging, an orthodontist can usually address the problems immediately and then follow up with another round of treatment when the child has all the adult teeth.