Pretreatment Observation
When children are not ready to begin full orthodontic treatment, they are periodically observed to identify when treatment should begin. There is no charge during this observation period.

Interceptive Orthodontics
In some cases, severe orthodontic problems can be minimized by using interceptive or preventive orthodontic procedures prior to full orthodontic treatment. Examples of such pre-treatment are tongue fence appliances to correct thumb sucking and space maintainers to prevent crowding of permanent teeth when baby teeth are lost prematurely. This type of pre-treatment can prevent injury to teeth and decrease the difficulty and cost of future active orthodontic treatment.

Scheduling Appointments
Whenever possible, appointments will be scheduled at your convenience. Certain appointments, especially the longer, more difficult ones, require that you be scheduled during the earlier hours of the day. We try to limit this type of appointment to two or three times during the course of treatment. These absences are considered “excused absences” by schools, and we will provide you with an excused absence form.

Adjustment Appointments
These are your routine orthodontic visits throughout treatment. At these appointments, orthodontic adjustments are made which result in desirable tooth movement. These appointments last approximately 15 to 30 minutes and the patient may be with or without the parent. The doctor or his assistants will request a conference with parents when indicated throughout treatment. Parents may also wish to schedule a conference with us during treatment.

Debanding and Retention Appointments
At last, we are ready to remove your braces. You will be notified 30 to 90 days in advance of your debanding appointment. This appointment lasts approximately one to one and a half hours and what a transformation! Debanding is followed immediately by the placement of retainers that allow teeth to “set in their new bite” and help prevent the teeth from moving. For the next year you may be seen for retention appointments, which last approximately 15 minutes. The purpose of these appointments is to ensure that your teeth are maintaining their new position. It is not necessary for parents to attend these appointments.

Patient Cooperation
Successful orthodontic treatment is dependent on patient and parent cooperation. During treatment, you will be asked to be reliable in areas such as keeping your appointments, cleaning your teeth, being careful of your braces, wearing rubber bands and wearing retainers. Lack of cooperation may result in increased costs, increased treatment time and a less than perfect result.

We are counting on your help for a beautiful smile that will last a lifetime!