New Patients
Information for patients seeking new treament
Getting Started
We realize how important a beautiful smile is to enhance self-confidence. While it is never too late to get orthodontic treatment, it is recommended that children see an orthodontist around the age of 8. Braces are worn not only to improve the attractiveness of your smile, but also to correct improper alignment of teeth that can lead to gum disease and early tooth loss. Properly aligned teeth also make it easier to chew all types of food and eliminate the headaches and pain cause by uneven chewing. Our doctors want to make your smile or your child's smile a healthy, beautiful smile. The first step in improving your smile is to schedule an initial consultation with one of our doctors at the location most convenient for you.
During the consultation, the doctor will explain to you what is involved with the application of braces and subsequent treatments. The treatment plan and length of treatment will be discussed in detail. Most treatment plans range from 18 to 30 months, though this will vary depending on the specific needs of the patient. Your cooperation in keeping scheduled appointments, maintaining proper hygiene and taking care of the braces may result in shorter treatment time.
A complete disclosure of the costs will be reviewed and documented by an experienced treatment coordinator. Fees vary based on the length of treatment and the difficulty of the case. All office policies and procedures will also be reviewed in great detail with you. Most insurance plans are accepted and typically low monthly payments are available to ease budget concerns.
The length of your first visit will vary from an hour to an hour and a half. Intervals between subsequent visits range from two to seven weeks with visit duration from twenty minutes to an hour, depending on the treatment.
Get started now by calling 1-800-4BRACES to schedule an appointment.
Cost of Treatment
For many families the cost of orthodontic treatment is a concern. During the consultation, the patient and/or parent will be given specific information regarding the proposed treatment plan and accompanying fees. The cost of treatment will depend on several factors including the difficulty of case. Most locations offer a variety of payment plan options including low monthly payments. In addition, most insurance plans are accepted. Many employers now include orthodontic coverage in their dental benefit programs.
It is important to treat orthodontic problems early to prevent more costly problems in the future. For specifics regarding fees please call 1-800-4BRACES.
Types of Treatment
- Traditional - Traditional treatment uses metal brackets to straighten teeth. Metal brackets can be silver or gold. The gold brackets are very unique and add a special flare to your smile. Metal brackets are very strong and are appropriate for all types of treatment. If you think traditional metal brackets are boring, well think again. Metal brackets can be made very colorful by selecting bold color ligatures or o-shaped rubber bands. Many children opt for colored brackets and choose elastics to coordinate with school colors, holidays or even a special outfit.
- Clear or Ceramic Braces - Many still think of braces as the bulky metal type of years ago, but there have been great advances in orthodontic products, making braces more comfortable and the selection of appliances much broader. Clear or ceramic braces are nearly invisible and appropriate for various types of orthodontic problems. Many patients choose ceramic braces as a less expensive alternative to Invisalign. Ceramic brackets are made of high tech materials developed by the NASA space program. They are very strong and generally do not stain. The ligatures, not the brackets, can discolor if you smoke or drink a lot of coffee, however the ligatures are replaced frequently during the course of treatment.
- Damon Brackets - There are various techniques for holding the arch wire in place without ligatures. Self-ligating or Damon Brackets are brackets that do not need the small o-shaped rubber bands or metal tie wires to hold the arch wire onto the bracket. Dwight Damon, DDS, the creator of Damon Brackets, uses a sliding door technique and low force wires to move teeth into the proper position. This bracket technology allows the wire to slide back and forth. The benefits of this advancement is that fewer adjustments are needed, meaning fewer appointments. Only doctors qualified to provide this type of treatment offer this alternative. If you are interested, please ask your orthodontist.
- Invisalign® - The invisible way to straighten your teeth, without braces. Invisalign® can give you the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted. It works through a series of clear, removable, and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. So you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Each set of aligners are worn for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move - little by little, week by week - until they have straightened to the final position your orthodontist or dentist has prescribed. You'll visit your orthodontist or dentist about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.
New Patient Forms (PDF)
Please disable your popup blocker if you have trouble accessing the forms.