New Patients
We want to thank you for your interest in our practice. Our goal is for your first visit to be both comfortable and informative. To this end, we have included a description of what you can expect below.
Your First Visit
Your first appointment is scheduled following your initial phone call to our office. Please remember to bring your insurance card and plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early for your appointment so you can complete a medical history form.
During the first appointment several important things will happen. The treatment coordinator, who will review your personal information, health history, and your chief orthodontic concerns, will greet you. Next, Dr. Tavakoli will conduct a thorough examination of your face, mouth, teeth, and jaws to determine whether you can benefit from orthodontic treatment and, if so, when treatment should begin.
If orthodontic treatment is recommended right away, we may proceed and take diagnostic records. In our office we will take a digital scan of your teeth, digital photographs of your face and teeth, x-rays of your teeth and surrounding bone, and a head-film x-ray to evaluate the position of the jaw structures.
The Consultation
At the consultation, Dr. Tavakoli will fully explain the nature and extent of your needs and develop an individualized treatment plan. This appointment is important because it is your time to have all questions answered to ensure you are fully informed. Our treatment coordinator will review costs of treatment and payment arrangements. Typically, there is a down payment when treatment begins and the remainder is divided into monthly payments for the duration of treatment.
Depending on the case, your braces can be bonded the same day we take your diagnostic records, while in others the next couple of appointments will be reserved for this. You will also receive individual instructions on hygiene, diet, and appliance care.
Once the braces are placed, subsequent adjustment visits are scheduled every four to six weeks with each one lasting between 20-45 minutes. It should be noted that 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.
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 because we are only a part of your dental team and not its entirety.
We try our best to stay on schedule to minimize your waiting. Emergency cases can also arise and cause delays. We appreciate your understanding and patience.