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Your First Visit
At the first visit to the orthodontist, a careful and detailed clinical examination and general dental health review will be made. Depending on the nature of the patient's orthodontic problem, some or all of the necessary diagnostic records may be suggested. These records consist of a mold of the teeth, photographic views of the teeth and of the faces from various perspectives, and x-rays. This information is used to develop a custom treatment plan for each patient. These two evaluation steps can be combined into your first visit. These records are valuable both to the formulation of the planning and progress assessment of treatment. They are also very important as archived tools to monitor growth and development.
Consultation
After the doctor has evaluated your records, we discuss your treatment with you in detail, including the cost for your particular case.
Regular Appointments
The appointment when you get your appliances (braces, expanders, etc.) usually takes from one to two hours. You'll then see us at regular intervals 4 to 12 weeks apart for an adjustment, which takes 10 to 40 minutes. Our regular office hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 6 PM. Patients are seen by appointment only. We make every effort to be on time for our patients, and ask that you extend the same courtesy to us. 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 8 weeks in advance.
Payment & Office Policies
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 for the insurance company. We work hard to make orthodontics affordable.
Fees
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. In this case, do NOT assign insurance benefits to us.
- 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 VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER, and AMERICAN EXPRESS.
- In cases of serious delinquency, treatment will be discontinued, although we will make every effort to accommodate patients with temporary difficulties.
Insurance
If you have insurance, we will help you to determine the coverage you have available. We ask that you assign your insurance benefit to us, except if you are making full treatment payment at the outset of treatment. The balance will be arranged for you to pay (see above). Professional care is provided to you, our patient, and not to an insurance company. 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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