First Orthodontic Visit
Patient Forms
Please help us be prepared for your first appointment by downloading an online patient health history form and then filling it out prior to your first appointment. This will save us some time at this first visit!
Click Here to Download and Print [Patient Forms]
First Consultation Visit
During your first visit to the orthodontist, Dr. Therese will conduct a preliminary and complimentary comprehensive examination to determine your orthodontic needs. If orthodontic treatment is deemed necessary, we will then discuss the existing orthodontic issues, available treatment options, and a timeline of the proposed treatment. Dr. Therese will be able to answer any questions that you may have about the proposed orthodontic treatment process. At this time, you will also be able to discuss orthodontic treatment costs and payment plans with our treatment and financial coordinators.
If orthodontic treatment is not necessary, you will be placed on a six- or twelve-month recall interval for Dr. Therese to monitor your developing teeth and jaws.
Diagnostic Records
Before making a finalized diagnosis of your orthodontic needs, we will take diagnostic records. These records enable the orthodontist to create an individualized treatment plan for each patient and also aid in tracking treatment progress as you undergo orthodontic tooth movement.
Diagnostic records consist of the following:
- Digital X-Rays of the teeth and jaws (Panoramic and Cephalometric X-rays)
- Digital Photographs of the face and teeth
- Dental Impressions of the Upper and Lower teeth that are used to fabricate digital study models
Most of the time, diagnostic records can be taken the same day as your first consultation visit, or can be scheduled at a later date for your convenience.
Banding/Bonding Appointment
This is the appointment where we will place the appliances, bands, or braces on your teeth. This appointment usually takes approximately 60-75 minutes. Once the appliances are in place, Dr. Therese will then thoroughly review oral hygiene and nutrition instructions with both the patient and parent. These care instructions will help you to properly care for your orthodontic appliances and assure the most effective and efficient treatment process.
Adjustment Appointments
Once the braces are in place, you will visit our office for regular adjustment visits in 4-10 week intervals. We know that your lives are busy with school, work, and activities, so we aim to be as convenient as possible for you. In order to allow for the majority of your visits (customary adjustment visits) to occur after school, we typically schedule longer appointments during the morning and early afternoon. These longer visits usually include the bonding (braces placement) appointment and debonding (braces removal) appointment.
To ensure we dedicate appropriate time to all of our valued patients, our office operates by appointment only. If you find that you cannot keep an appointment, please notify us immediately, and cancel only if it is an emergency. Missing appointments can delay treatment progress.
