If you have never been to an orthodontist before, you may be wondering what actually happens at your first appointment.
The good news is that an orthodontic consultation is usually very easy.
Our goal at Choice Orthodontics is to answer a few important questions:
Is there an orthodontic problem?
Does it need treatment?
Is now the right time to treat it?
What treatment options are available?
We Start by Getting to Know You
Every patient is different.
For children and teenagers, we want to understand any concerns the patient or parents may have. For adults, there may be specific things about the smile or bite that have bothered them for years.
Sometimes the concern that brought you into the office is exactly what we see.
Other times, we may notice something about the bite or jaw relationship that you were not aware of.
We Evaluate More Than Straight Teeth
An orthodontic examination is not simply a check to see whether the front teeth are crooked.
We evaluate how the upper and lower teeth fit together, the amount of space available for the permanent teeth, tooth eruption, jaw relationships, facial balance, and growth when appropriate.
This helps us understand not only what we see, but why it developed.
What If Treatment Is Recommended?
If orthodontic treatment is beneficial, we will explain what we recommend and why.
Depending on the patient, treatment might involve braces, Invisalign, an expander, limited treatment, early orthodontic treatment, or another approach.
In many cases, there may be more than one good option.
We will also discuss the expected length of treatment and the financial arrangements available.
What If My Child Is Not Ready?
Then we wait.
This is especially common with younger patients.
Sometimes everything is developing normally and there is simply no reason to begin orthodontic treatment yet.
Other times, we may see a problem that will eventually need treatment, but starting immediately would provide no advantage.
In those situations, we can monitor your child's growth and tooth eruption and recommend treatment when the timing is appropriate.
You Should Leave With Your Questions Answered
Our goal is for you to understand what we see and why we are recommending a particular approach.
Orthodontics is a significant commitment, and you should feel comfortable with the plan before beginning treatment.
At Choice Orthodontics, we want every patient and parent to feel informed and confident about the decisions they make regarding orthodontic care.
