Your First Visit At the first visit to the orthodontist, preliminary diagnostic records are made to determine the best course of treatment. These preliminary records include a medical/dental history, clinical examination, photos of the patient's face and teeth, and a panoramic X-ray. Complete diagnostic records which includes plaster study models of the teeth and an additional jaw X-ray may be recommended as well. 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 from one to two hours. You'll then see us at regular intervals four to eight weeks apart for an adjustment, which takes twenty to forty minutes. Our regular office hours are Monday to Thursday from 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 can be difficult to reschedule you since most appointments are made four to eight 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, including a no-down-payment option. We also accept assignment from most insurance plans, and file the necessary papers to the insurance company. Please be reassured that we work hard to make your orthodontic care affordable. Fees In an effort to keep orthodontic fees down while maintaining the highest level of professional care, we have established this financial policy: If full payment is made at the onset of treatment, we will offer a fee discount. (If you have insurance, we will offer a discount for payment of your portion of the fee that will not be covered by insurance.) 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, and Discover. In cases of serious delinquency, treatment will be discontinued, although we will make every effort to accommodate patients with temporary difficulties. Insurance 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. Back to top