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Your First Visit
At the first visit to the orthodontist, diagnostic records are made to determine the best course of treatment. Complete diagnostic records typically
include a medical/dental history, clinical examination, study
models of the teeth, photos of the patient's face and teeth, and X-rays.
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.
After the doctor has completed
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Before your first visit, we ask that you fill out a Health History/Patient Information form that you can download from
our web site and print. We can also mail this form to you prior to your first appointment. Please have this form completed and bring it with
you along with any insurance information/card that you have to this first visit.
New Patient Form
[Word DOC Format] [Acrobat PDF Format]
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your clinical exam and evaluated your records, we discuss your treatment with you in detail, including the cost for
your particular case.
Regular Appointments
The appointment scheduled to begin your orthodontic treatment (braces, expanders, etc.) usually takes from 1 to 2 hours. You'll then see us at regular intervals 6 to 8 weeks apart for adjustments, which take 20 to 40 minutes. Our regular office hours are Monday to Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 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 6 to 8 weeks in advance. Rescheduling and cancelling appointments can significantly increase the amount of time required to complete your orthodontic treatment.
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 to 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 reduction as a bookkeeping courtesy. (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 all major credit cards and automatic withdrawal from your checking or savings account or major credit card.
- In cases of serious delinquency, active treatment will be delayed, 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. 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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