Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Before You Start
Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. All orthodontists are dentists however only 6% of dentists are orthodontists. Orthodontists attended an additional two to three years of a residency after dental school to specialize in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. How do you know that your doctor is an orthodontist? Only orthodontists can belong to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). General dentists that have not completed this additional residency and work with orthodontic appliances are not able to be members of the AAO.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition.
- Early or late loss of individual baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting into food
- Crowded, poorly positioned or blocked out teeth
- Frequently biting the cheeks, lips or the roof of the mouth
- Teeth that do not meet at all
- Finger-sucking or thumb-sucking habits
- Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the face.
Let’s Get Going!
Simply call our office and we will be happy to schedule an appointment for you. When you call, one member of our front office staff will request some basic information from you so that we may most effectively begin to take care of your orthodontic needs.
No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentists, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves. How you are referred to our office will not affect your orthodontic insurance coverage.
Upon arriving, each patient (and accompanying parent/guardian) will be seen by the treatment coordinator who will familiarize you with our office. During the visit, we will obtain any x-rays that may be needed to help better to assist the doctor in compiling a complete diagnosis. Finally, the doctor will perform a brief, but thorough clinical examination following a brief, but thorough clinical examination before making a customized, comprehensive treatment recommendation.
There are five essential questions that we will cover during the initial examination:
- Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?
- What must be done to correct the problem?
- What are some different treatment options available and what are the pros and cons of each?
- How long will the treatment take to complete?
- How much will the treatment cost and what financing options are available?
It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you or your child. We will review the total cost and the financing options available during the initial consultation. We have many financing options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review these with you. If you have insurance, we will review your benefit for you.