Orthodontic Consultation: What To Expect

By Swathi Reddy, DMD

All Smiles Orthodontics

. https://www.allsmilesbraces.com/

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Orthodontic Consultation: What To Expect

If you believe that you or your child could potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, the first step would be to schedule an appointment for a consultation with an orthodontist. Orthodontists are simply dentists who have received an extra 2-3 years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the proper way to straighten teeth and correct bite problems.

Children, teenagers, young adults, middle-aged men and women as well as seniors are taking advantage of the simplicity that distinguishes today’s orthodontics.

Although many patients are referred by their family dentist, you can still make an appointment without a referral from your dentist. During this first consultation appointment the doctor will conduct a thorough examination of teeth, bite, TMJ and facial soft tissue. This information is used to outline the problems that are present.

The doctor also presents you with a tentative treatment plan, an estimate of the length of treatment and any alternative treatment options such as Invisalign. If you have any further questions or concerns they may also be discussed at this appointment.

When all your questions have been answered a treatment coordinator will cover payment plans, insurance matters, and appointment scheduling. Some patients (especially kids) are not ready for treatment when examined. In those cases, the patients are placed on a recall program (observation) and the family is sent a reminder in the future to come back for an orthodontic re-evaluation.

If treatment is recommended and you would like to get started, the next step is to schedule an appointment for full diagnostic records. Diagnostic records comprise photographs, radiographs, bite registration and models of your teeth. These records will give the doctor all the information needed to develop a detailed custom treatment plan that will give an optimal bite and smile for each patient.

Diagnostic records are also helpful in tracking the progress of treatment as the teeth move into their corrected positions. Mostly, records may be taken during the initial consultation appointment, if not you may choose to schedule a second appointment. Records appointments take about 20-30 minutes.

After the final diagnosis and treatment plan are developed, you will be ready to begin your orthodontic treatment. If you are interested in learning more about braces, or about your specific orthodontic needs, call us to schedule a free consultation appointment.