First Visit

We are always excited about meeting new patients during their first visit to our office. Your initial appointment will consist of a thorough examination and a discussion of potential treatment options. This important 45-minute visit will give us insight into your orthodontic needs. The initial appointment is complimentary and depending on your needs, we often take photographs and a panorex so that we may fully understand your orthodontic concerns and properly diagnose your case.  We know your time is valuable, so to expedite treatment, we may also reserve time following the exam for diagnostic records. The records include other  X-rays and impressions for study models and are necessary for developing the appropriate treatment plan. This additional appointment will last approximately 45 minutes.

During the initial examination for each patient, Dr. Johnston or Dr. Doris will address the following questions that cover the basics of orthodontic treatment. We encourage you to ask questions as well.

• Is there a condition that orthodontics can address?
• Is treatment needed now or should treatment be delayed until appropriate growth, tooth eruption or other factors have occurred?
• What treatment procedures will be used to correct the problem?
• Do any permanent teeth need to be removed?
• How long will treatment take?
• How much will it cost?
• What are my payment options?

While we can often answer these general questions about treatment during the initial examination, we will address specific areas after careful analysis of the diagnostic records. We feel it is important to analyze each patient’s specific needs, because in-depth planning leads to superior results and higher patient satisfaction.

Please assist us by letting us know if a panoramic X-ray has been taken within the past six months (likely taken by your family dentist).