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First Visit

Your first visit to our orthodontic office is an exciting time! It's a chance for us to get acquainted, and for you to learn about the treatments and services we offer. When you walk in the door, you may notice that our office looks similar to your regular dentist's office; what we do here, however, is a little different. It all starts with the complimentary initial consultation.

You should plan to spend at least an hour with us the first time. That's to ensure that no one has to rush, and that you get plenty of time to ask any questions you may have. At this exam we will ask you many questions and take several measurements. This exam lets us determine if now is a good time to start treatment, if we should wait a little longer, or if no treatment is necessary.

Diagnostic Records

At your next visit we collect the "hard" data, the diagnostics, the hidden problems and discrepancies we can't see just by looking at you. Our procedure starts by taking a set of photographs of the teeth and face in their present state. Next we take a Cone Beam computed tomography scan (CBCT). CBCT imaging is a type of digital scanning we use that provides accurate measurements, improves localization of impacted teeth, and provides visualization of airway abnormalities. It also identifies and quantifies asymmetry, and can be used to assess periodontal structures, to identify endodontic problems, to plan placement sites for temporary skeletal anchorage devices, and to view condylar positions and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) bony structures

Next we will take impression’s (mold) of the teeth. This lets us make an exact replica of the bite, which helps us understand exactly what the problem is and how best to treat it. To do this we will ask you (or your child) to place some soft putty-like material in the mouth for about 30 seconds; then we'll remove it and make the mold in our lab.

Dr. Burns will then assemble the raw data collected from the clinical and diagnostic exams to create a thorough and comprehensive diagnosis. From here she is able to develop an ideal treatment plan that will create a healthy, stable and beautiful smile.

Discussing Your Treatment Options

The next step is a formal review of your diagnosis and what treatment options are available to you. At this visit you and Dr. Burns sit down together and go over all of these options, the fees associated with each and the financial options you have. You may have 1-3 options for treatment, least comprehensive (maintaining your current bite) to most comprehensive (an overall treatment for the most stable and predictable outcome). From this discussion you decide what option best fits your goals and needs. Once decided what plan best fits you, we can schedule the beginning of your treatment.

Whether you're starting now or later, this is the best time to ask questions about the process. We can talk about available treatment choices, answer general questions about what to expect at the different stages of the process, and discuss any of the following:

  • Can orthodontic treatment benefit me (or my child)?
  • What general procedures will be used to correct the problem?
  • Are any options available (or recommended) for my treatment?
  • Should I get treatment now, or is it better to wait?
  • Will tooth extraction be necessary?
  • How much does treatment cost? Are payment plans available?
  • How long do you expect treatment should take?

When you leave our office, we think you'll have a better understanding of how we can help you get the best possible smile. So why not take the first step now — please call us for a complimentary consultation today.