Your First Visit

Our objective is to make sure your visits with us will be pleasant and informative. Your initial appointment will consist of an extremely thorough examination and a discussion of potential treatment options. We feel this first appointment will be your most important and will address the orthodontic needs of you or your child.

Please assist us by providing the following information at the time of your first visit:

• Any special x-rays or MRI’s (if applicable)
• A list of medications you are presently taking
• If you have medical or dental insurance, bring the necessary completed forms. This will save time and allow us to help you process any claims.
• Completed online or printed patient registration forms.
• Please alert the office if you have a medical condition that may be of concern (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, artificial heart valves and joints, rheumatic fever, etc.) or if you are on any medication (i.e. heart medications, aspirin, anticoagulant therapy, etc.)

Broken Appointments:

If for some reason you cannot make it to your appointment, please contact our office at least 48 hours in advance at 888-223-8080. By doing so you allow another patient to use that time as well as reschedule your appointment. If it is after hours leave your name and number and a brief message with our answering service (same phone number) and we will return your call in the morning.

What Will Take Place at Your Initial Visit

Marla, our treatment coordinator, whom you will have visited with by phone when she confirmed your appointment, will first greet you. She will review the health history, your primary reason for visiting us, and inform you what will take place at this first appointment. She will then take facial and intraoral photographs, a digital full mouth x-ray (panogram) and a digital x-ray that shows the relationship of all of the skeletal parts of the head (lateral cephalogram). Both the photographs and radiographs are necessary to make an accurate diagnosis and form the appropriate treatment choices. Marla will then review this information with Dr. Way while viewing the photos and radiographs. Then Dr. Way will come and meet you and begin his clinical examination.He will dictate clinical information to Marla concerning the following:

• Jaw joints
• The relationship between your habitual bite and your best jaw joint position
• Facial proportions, harmony and growth
• Health of the supporting structures, bone and soft tissue (gums)
• Tooth alignment and relationship of the upper to the lower teeth
• Dental and facial esthetics
• And all pertinent information relating to your primary concern

Dr. Way will then review the clinical findings, radiographs and photos with you in a clear and concise manner. You will view the photos and radiographs on a large monitor while Dr. Way is describing your current situation and reviewing treatment options. Dr. Way and Marla will show you the appliances that will be used in your customized treatment. After Dr. Way has answered any questions you may have regarding your treatment, Dr. Way will excuse himself and Marla will answer any question you have regarding your insurance and payment options. Your next visit will entail the completion of your initial records. This will include special radiographs of your jaw joints, a diagnostic baseline that everyone should have. Molds of your teeth will be made and special measurements of the relationship of your upper jaw to your jaw joints will be recorded. Your models will be mounted on a mechanical device called an articulator so that Dr. Way can further study how your lower jaw arcs closed in relationship to your upper jaw in your "best" jaw joint position. This is the position where we want to "build" your long lasting smile.

Successive Visits

Periodic visits are an important part of orthodontic treatment. Generally, we will want to see you every 4-8 weeks to check your progress and make adjustments to your braces. During this time, you will need to keep appointments, follow instructions, as well as practice good oral hygiene and proper nutrition.

Also continue to visit your dentist regularly.

Once your braces are removed, nighttime retainers are utilized to hold your teeth in their new positions until your bone, gums, and muscles adapt to the new teeth positions. The retention period is an important part of your overall treatment and should not be neglected! The length of your retentive phase will be customized to your specific situation.

Length of Treatment

Braces may be on between 6 months to 30 months, or longer depending on the age of the patient, the severity of the problem, the patient's cooperation, and the degree of movement possible.

Dental Care

Before any orthodontic treatment, your family dentist should make certain that all cavities have been treated and the health of your gums and underlying bone are free of periodontal disease. If appropriate you will be referred to a periodontist to address any concerns prior to orthodontic treatment. If needed, a referral to your dentist or an oral surgeon will be made to remove any teeth that Dr. Way prescribed to correct your bite. We are very conservative in requesting the removal of teeth and will only do so if it is necessary to meet all of our treatment objectives. Your family dentist should also schedule cleaning and cavity checkup visits during your orthodontic care. We would like to reinforce the need to keep your regular visits with your family dentist. Please contact our office if you have any questions. The timing of your treatment is very important. Therefore, a consultation will allow us to better understand your needs and to plan for the appropriate timing of your treatment.