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Your First Visit
At the first visit to the orthodontist, diagnostic records are made with
your consent to determine the best course of treatment. Complete diagnostic
records typically include a medical/dental history, clinical examination;
plaster study models of the teeth, photos of the patient's face and teeth,
and X-rays. This information is used to develop a custom treatment plan
for each patient. These records are also helpful in tracking the progress
of treatment as the teeth move under orthodontic care.
Consultation
After the doctor has evaluated your records, we discuss your treatment
with you in detail, including the cost for your particular case.
Regular Appointments
The appointment when you get your appliances (braces, expanders, etc.)
usually takes one hour. You'll then see us at regular intervals 4 to 8
weeks apart for an adjustment, which takes 20 to 40 minutes. Our regular
office hours are Mondays 11:00 AM to 6 PM and Tuesday to Thursday 8:00
AM to 5:00 PM. 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 us immediately.
Cancel only if it is an emergency. It is difficult to reschedule you since
most appointments are made 4 to 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
assignment from most insurance plans, and file the necessary papers to
the insurance company. 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:
- 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, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, and DISCOVER.
- In cases of serious delinquency, treatment will be discontinued, although we will make every effort to accommodate patients with temporary difficulties.
If you have insurance, we will help you to determine the coverage you have available. We ask that you assign your insurance benefit to us. The balance will be arranged for you to pay (see above). Professional care is provided to you, our patient, and not to an insurance company. Thus, the insurance company is responsible to the patient and the patient is responsible to the doctor. We will help in every way we can in filing your claim and handling insurance questions from our office on your behalf.
