OUR MISSION

Our goal is to provide to you, our patient and your family, the most comprehensive, up-to-date orthodontic care available in a safe, comfortable, and caring environment. We strive to treat our patients in the way we would wish to be treated. The end product of this goal is that we will work together to help achieve optimal appearance and improved dental health through orthodontics.

ABOUT BRACES

We want our patients to enjoy their time with us while wearing braces. We understand that it is a big decision to begin this commitment. We want you to know that braces are for all age groups. Adults, of any age, can experience the benefit of straighter teeth. We continually strive to use the most efficient, most hygienic and least conspicuous type of orthodontic braces. The actual orthodontic bracket (brace) that we now are using is more smaller and much more aesthetic in appearance than ever before. This gives our patients the confidence in knowing that they made the right decision to "go straight" now.

YOUR FIRST VISIT

Your first visit will be a time for us to get acquainted. At this complimentary visit we will examine your mouth and a determination will be made whether or not wearing braces will be beneficial. We will help you understand any orthodontic problems that you may have. We will explore the various treatment options and the benefits of orthodontics. An explanation of the approximate treatment times, and the costs involved will be discussed. This evaluation and discussion usually takes about 30 minutes. Our goal at this important first visit is to help you leave this office with a better understanding of the exciting possibilities available to you in this field of dentistry.

DIAGNOSTIC RECORDS

If orthodontic treatment is recommended the next step is gathering diagnostic records in order to establish a comprehensive understanding of your individual orthodontic problem as well as a treatment plan created for your specific needs. These diagnostic records typically include impressions of your teeth for constructing models of the teeth, digital photographs of the face and teeth, and x-rays of the head and teeth. This procedure usually takes approximately 45 minutes. There is a fee for this procedure due when the records are taken. We offer this procedure at your first visit if treatment is indicated and you desire to go ahead with the records. Or you may schedule this at any time that is convenient for you.

APPOINTMENTS

Patients are seen by appointment only. Our normal office hours are 8:30am to 12 Noon and 1:00pm to 5:00pm Monday through Thursday. The office is open on Friday from 8:30am to 12 Noon. The office is closed on weekends and all major holidays. We strive to maintain "on time" appointments, and because of this we expect the same courtesy from our patients. During your time in braces, you will be seen at regular intervals of approximately 6 to 8 weeks. Time in our office for appointments is generally 20 to 40 minutes. If it becomes necessary to change or cancel an appointment, we ask that you notify us in advance to allow us to make this time available to our other patients. Experience has shown us, patients who have trouble making scheduled appointments, have extended treatment times. During the school year, many patients wish to be seen only after school. We understand your desire to keep school absences to a minimum, and we share this desire. But it is impossible to honor this request for only you, and not be fair with all students. Therefore, we have developed a very effective schedule of rotating appointments, early AM, late AM, early PM and late PM. With the correct treatment interval, and proper appointment rotation, the same class will not be missed twice in the same semester. However, if you travel some distance to our office, this will increase time out of school. We strongly believe that orthodontics for adolescences and young school aged children is an important part of their social and physical development, just like school and the many other activities our children are involved in. It is important to remember that smiles are forever, and this small investment of time now, will pay big dividends in the future with a lifetime of good dental health.

COST AND ORTHODONTIC FEES FOR SERVICES

The cost of orthodontic treatment varies and depends on the severity of the patient's problem and length of time it is anticipated to complete treatment. Every effort is made to maintain affordable orthodontic care for everyone, while maintaining the highest level of professional services. We have the following established financial plans to make orthodontics affordable.

• A prepayment courtesy discount is given for payment in full by cash or check at the initiation of treatment.
• With credit approval, a down payment of approximately 30% made at the onset of treatment, with the balance paid monthly over 18 months at 0% financing.
• A no-down payment option is offered through Orthodontic Fee Plan, with no initial payment and low monthly payments with fixed rates ranging for 9.99%-12.99% and terms up to 60 months. For more information on this option you can visit Orthodontic Fee Plan at their website at: http://www.orthofeeplan.com.
• We accept for your convenience cash, personal checks, Visa and MasterCard.
• Special arrangements may be made for extenuating circumstances upon conference with the financial coordinator.

INSURANCE

If you have orthodontic insurance, we request that you bring all necessary forms with you; with the employee section filled out and signed. We will be happy to complete any forms pertaining to orthodontic treatment so that you may receive the maximum benefit allowable from your plan. However, our services are rendered to you, the patient, not your insurance company. Thus, the insurance company is responsible to the patient, and any benefit should be sent directly to you from your insurance company. Please do not sign the portion of your claim form that assigns payment to our office. We believe it is to your advantage that all benefits from your plan be paid directly to YOU. As always, if there are any extenuation personal circumstances, please feel free to discuss them with our financial coordinator.