Your First Visit
Each individual’s orthodontic problem is unique and deserves personalized attention. Your initial visit allows us to get to know you, you to know us, and helps us understand your needs and concerns. We pride ourselves in giving individual attention and taking as much time as needed to explain our procedures in detail and answer any questions you may have. We believe that the more the patient and family are informed, the more successful the outcome will be.

Preparation: Before the initial visit, we will ask you to fill out a patient acquaintance form and health history that will give us sufficient information about your medical and dental health. If a panoramic-type x-ray is available from your family dentist, we would like to have a copy of the films sent to us or brought with you to the first visit.

Patient Arrival: After arriving at the office, you will be greeted by one of our front office team members. You will be introduced to our Treatment Coordinator, who will conduct the initial portion of the exam. She will take a panoramic x-ray of you (if not available from the dentist) as well as digital images of your teeth and face that will be used later.

The Treatment Coordinator will interview you and your family briefly to verify your health history and to determine your concerns and desires. She then will examine you, taking certain measurements of the teeth and jaws that are necessary for proper diagnosis.

The orthodontist will meet you and your family to discuss your chief concerns and expectations. The doctor will examine you. A diagnosis will be made and then one or more treatment plans will be explained. Be sure to ask questions!

The Treatment Coordinator will give you a step-by-step description of the orthodontic treatment, typically using an interactive CD-ROM program that features detailed graphics of most current treatment options. She will discuss the length and cost of the proposed treatment, including a discussion of the methods of payment. She also will answer any other questions that you and your family have on any aspect of the proposed treatment.

Your Treatment Plan: In most instances, a detailed treatment plan is established at the time of the initial visit. In some complex situations, however, the decision as to the specific treatment plan is deferred until the collection of a full set of diagnostic records is completed at a subsequent visit.

By the end of the initial examination, it is our goal for the patient and family to understand:

•	Whether treatment is indicated or not;
•	The proposed treatment (or treatment options available);
•	The timing of treatment for the most efficient and effective results;
•	The length and cost of treatment.

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Please refer to our "We need your assistance" patient education handout for further treatment expectations.

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