Your First Visit

Your first visit to our office will be for an initial exam to determine the need for treatment and timing for treatment to begin.  If the patient is ready to begin treatment at that time, diagnostic records consisting of plaster study models of the teeth, photos of the patient’s face and teeth, and conebeam CT scan can be done at the same time. 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 Visit

After the doctor has evaluated your diagnostic records, the second office visit will be for a formal consultation to discuss the customaized treatment plan with you in detail.  This gives the patient a chance to understand that the treatment will entail and answer any questions before beginning treatment.  Our financial coordinator will also review the cost and payment options with you at this time.  

Treatment Appointments

The appointment to place appliances (braces, expanders, etc.) usually takes one hour. The patient will then be seen at regular intervals 4 to 6 weeks apart for adjustments, which takes approximately 15-30 minutes. Patients are seen by appointment only during regular office hours.  We ask the patients to call first for any emergency situations.  If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify us immediately. Cancel only if it is an emergency. It is difficult to reschedule you since most appointments are made 4 to 6 weeks in advance.

Cost and Payments

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. We work hard to make orthodontics affordable.

Payments

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 cash, check, VISA, MASTERCARD and DISCOVER.

Insurance

If you have insurance, we will help you determine the coverage you have available. The balance will be arranged for you to pay (see above). 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.

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