Orthodontic Treatment: What To Expect
Starting orthodontic treatment is an exciting time, but it can also bring lots of questions. At Durham Orthodontics, we want you and your child to feel prepared and completely at ease throughout your treatment.
Comprehensive Exam
Your first visit will begin with a thorough exam. We will begin by taking photographs and x-rays to help us evaluate the health of your teeth and jaw bones. Then, Dr. Durham will assess your smile, noting any bite misalignment and spacing issues.
Treatment Plan
After Dr. Durham evaluates your teeth and gums, he will decide on the best treatment option for your needs. At this time, he will discuss the treatment process with you, including the approximate treatment length and the cost of braces. We strongly encourage you to ask any questions you may have at this time. Orthodontic treatment is an important decision, and we want to make sure you make an educated decision that works with your family’s budget.
Starting Treatment
In some cases, patients may start treatment right away. When you begin treatment, we will take digital scans (no more yucky impressions!) of your teeth to provide a custom fit unique to your smile. Then, we can place your braces onto your teeth using brackets and wires. For Invisalign patients, we will send your scans off to a lab to create your aligners. When the aligners come in, we will schedule an appointment for us to deliver the first set of aligners.
Preparing for Your Visit
When you come in for your first appointment, we ask that you bring your insurance card with you if you have one. This will allow us to give you a cost estimate for your treatment. We will contact your dentist for you to request your most recent x-rays.
To save time at your appointment, you can fill out our new patient paperwork prior to your appointment by clicking the links below:
If you have any additional questions about starting treatment, don’t hesitate to contact our office. We are always available to answer any questions you may have.