New Patient Information

Thank you for choosing our office for your complimentary orthodontic evaluation. We hope your visit will be informative as well as enjoyable.

During the New Patient Exam, our objective is to be able to look at the long-term needs for you and/or your child. At this visit, one of three outcomes will be determined:

• Treatment is recommended now
• Treatment is not recommended
• Future Treatment will be needed, but should be delayed until further jaw growth and eruption of teeth has occurred

At your new patient exam, the Doctor will perform a thorough examination of your teeth, bite, oral tissues, temporomandibular joints, and evaluate your orthodontic needs. He will then discuss your concerns and answer any questions you may have. If the Doctor feels that you would benefit from orthodontic treatment, he will recommend that we take orthodontic diagnostic records. We can also mail this form to you prior to your first appointment. Please have this form completed and bring it with you along with any insurance information/card that you have to this first visit.

Diagnostic Records

If diagnostic records are recommended, we will scgedule sufficient time for our staff to take records. However, if it is more convenient for you to reschedule at a different time, please do not hesitate to let us know. Records are taken prior to beginning orthodontic treatment to provide us with more information that is not available at the clinical examination. These records allow our doctors to thoroughly evaluate your orthodontic problem, formulate an individualized treatment plan, and monitor your progress throughout your treatment.

It takes approximately 1 hour to take the records. A fee will be charged for the diagnostic records. The records consist of the following:

• A panoramic X-ray (the entire mouth) — allows Doctors to see all teeth that have not erupted into the mouth, the jaw bones, and evaluate for possible abnormalities of the jaw bones.
• Cephalometric X-ray (side of face X-ray) — Doctors take measurements on this x-ray to determine the relationship of the upper and lower jaw bones, the relationship of the teeth, and in children who are still growing, provides an indicator of future jaw growth.
• Facial and dental photographs
• Impressions — molds of the upper and lower teeth

Consultation Appointment

A Consultation appointment is scheduled at the same time the diagnostic records are taken. At this meeting, the Doctor will discuss the diagnostic findings, recommendations for treatment, and the treatment fee. The fee is determined by the complexity of treatment and the estimated time for completion.

Beginning Treatment

Your initial appointment to place the braces or an appliance on your teeth is approximately one hour. After starting your treatment, we will see you for periodic adjustment appointments at four- to eight-week intervals which will take approximately 15 minutes.