Initial Examination
When you visit our office for an initial orthodontic evaluation, the orthodontist will perform a comprehensive examination to determine if orthodontic treatment is needed and present the initial findings to you that same day. During the exam the doctor will evaluate jaw, teeth and facial growth to determine if now is the best time to begin orthodontic treatment. If additional growth is recommended, prior to beginning orthodontics, the orthodontist will place your child in the practice recall system and continue to monitor your child as necessary as the permanent teeth erupt and the jaws and face continue to grow. This service is complimentary. If your child or yourself is ready to begin orthodontics immediately the doctor along with the practice treatment coordinator will explain to you the recommended treatment plan, show you the types of appliances available to treat your particular case, review estimated length of treatment, provide a cost estimate and work with you to customize a payment plan that fits your needs, and scheduled to have your appliances placed.

Early Treatment
 When necessary early treatment or interceptive treatment may be recommended to guide facial growth and tooth eruption to prevent more serious problems from developing. Early intervention frequently makes the completion of treatment at a later age easier and less time consuming. A variety of early treatment appliances are now available to help your child correct an orthodontic problem. The following early warning signs may indicate that your child should have an orthodontic examination as soon as possible:

  • Difficulty in chewing

  • Open-mouth breathing

  • Thumb or finger-sucking

  • Overlapping or crowding of erupting permanent teeth

  • Jaws that tend to pop or click

  • Developing underbite, overbite, protruding front teeth, or other abnormal bite development

Diagnostic Records
Prior to the initial examination, diagnostic records (panoramic x-ray and photographs) will be taken on each patient. Records confirm the doctor's diagnosis and treatment plan and serve as documentation of the position of your teeth, lips and profile when you started treatment. Typically records include the following five items:

  • Digital Panoramic x-ray - This type of x-ray captures an image of your teeth and jaw region, with far less radiation exposure than standard x-rays. It helps in identifying any extra teeth, blocked out teeth, missing teeth, or any problems with your jaws, jaw joints or roots. Depending on your particular problem you may have to have several Panoramic x-rays taken throughout treatment.

  • Digital Cephalomatic x-rays - This type of x-ray captures an image of your entire skull and profile, with far less radiation than standard x-rays. It is used to identify any potential growth problems and for recording diagnostic measurements.

  •  Impressions/ Study Models - In order to make plaster models of your teeth (study models), you will need to have impressions taken as part of the records process. This entails biting into a tray of soft toothpaste or pudding like material (alginate) for about one minute. The material becomes set (or hardened) to a consistency of silly putty and then is taken out. Impressions are taken one at a time and you need one for the top and one for the bottom. This process is painless but can sometimes taste bad. In order to make this more enjoyable we offer a variety of alginate flavors for you to choose from.

  • Diagnostic photographs - These are pictures taken of your smile, profile, face, teeth and mouth. These pictures are again used to document your current status and will help the doctor track your progress and see how your smile is changing.

Final Treatment Plan
After the records have been reviewed, we will discuss with you and your child the final orthodontic treatment plan including what orthodontic appliances will be used, how long treatment will last, what foods to avoid, proper care of the appliances and teeth during treatment, etc.

Length of Treatment
The length of treatment for each patient varies based on the patient's age, severity of the bite, and correction needs, but most cases can be completed in approximately 18-24 months. After the braces are removed, a retainer is prescribed and is to be worn continuously for a few months to a few years in order to set the tissues surrounding the newly straightened teeth. When ready, your orthodontist will inform you that you can now just wear the retainer at night or occasionally to make sure the teeth do not shift. In some cases, a permanent retainer can also be prescribed, which is a metal wire that is bonded to the back of the teeth to insure that the teeth remain in proper position.  

Patient Cooperation
Patient cooperation is the key to successful orthodontics. Braces are strong enough to withstand the normal forces created during chewing, however, if they are abused, the braces can break. Broken braces and wire may poke into the cheek or tongue and cause sores in the mouth. Broken appliances can also lengthen the treatment time. Appliances must also be worn as prescribed to achieve the desired results.

Dental hygiene is also very important to prevent tooth decay or decalcification during treatment. Certain foods should be avoided to prevent breakage of appliances and also reduce the chance of tooth decay. We will discuss this with you in more detail on the day the appliances are placed, but for more information, please go to the "Caring for Braces" section.

Financial Arrangements
You will be pleasantly surprised that orthodontics may not be as expensive as you thought. The total cost will vary by case and complexity, but we offer a number of flexible and affordable payment plans that will fit your individual needs. These will be discussed with you on the day of your new patient examination. Options include, but are not limited to the following, on approved credit:

  • 30% Down and monthly payments spread out over the remaining treatment time. No interest.

  • Bookkeeping courtesy for payment in full prior to the day appliances are places. 

  • No down and low monthly payments spread out over the time of treatment through Orthodontic Fee Plan.  Interest based on credit history.

  • Direct Debit from your credit card or electronic funds transfer monthly

  • Freedom of Choice insurance carriers accepted.