First Visit
Congratulations on your first step toward a beautiful smile. It all begins with your initial phone call to Smith Orthodontics. Our team looks forward to serving you. They will assist you in scheduling an appointment, and will ask several necessary questions such as name, address, telephone number and age so that we may prepare for your first visit. We want it to go smoothly. Please allow approximately 1 hour for your first visit. Our treatment coordinator will give you a personal tour of our beautiful office. She will make you feel comfortable and listen carefully to your concerns.
Dr. Smith will conduct a thorough examination and discuss your orthodontic treatment options and anticipated length of orthodontic treatment. You can begin treatment on your first visit with impressions of your teeth.
We will review your financial options. For an in depth explanation of orthodontic treatment, we encourage you to click the heading "Braces Start to Finish." Our goal is to have you feel comfortable in our office, and confident about your orthodontic treatment.
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New Patient Arrival
You will be greeted with warm smiles when you walk into Smith Orthodontics. Our team enjoys meeting new people and going out of their way to make you feel comfortable and welcome.
Bring in Your Forms
When you call for an orthodontic examination appointment, we will send you a welcome letter. Included with this letter is Personal History Form. This necessary form allows us to serve you better with information we need as your health care provider. Please feel free to bring a list of questions you would like answered also.
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Examination/Records
Examination
After a briefing from the Treatment Coordinator, Dr. Smith will conduct a thorough examination. The condition of your teeth, gums, TMJ and bite will be evaluated. Dr. Smith will answer all of your questions so you will be ready to begin orthodontic treatment. Many patients say this is the most comprehensive, gentle dental exam they have ever had. If you or your child are not ready for orthodontic treatment, Dr. Smith will review these findings as well. Our treatment coordinator can demonstrate your treatment on our advanced computer simulation program.
Records
After the examination, but before braces are placed on your teeth, diagnostic records are taken. These records include impression of your teeth, necessary x-rays, and photographs. With these records Dr. Smith can formulate the necessary "blue print" to move your teeth to the optimal position for the best fit and most attractive smile.
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Treatment Consultation
After the diagnostic records are taken, Dr. Smith will study them thoroughly in order to prescribe the optimal treatment plan. Dr. Smith and the treatment coordinator will use necessary x-rays, models of the teeth, various hands-on demonstration models and advanced computer simulation to thoroughly explain the problems and present the treatment plan he recommends. Your input in this process is important and welcome.
Dr. Smith will then draft a letter to your family dentist outlining the diagnosis and recommended treatment plan. Communication with our patients and their family dentist is a priority at Smith Orthodontics, and is a Mission Statement tenet.
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Financial Consultation
After a thorough examination has been completed, preliminary treatment options discussed, and all of your treatment questions answered, your Treatment Coordinator will discuss the orthodontic treatment fee and all the features it includes (i.e. retainers) with you. She will have a worksheet for flexible payment options that are tailored to suit your needs, and will review your insurance coverage. She will verify with your insurance carrier that you do indeed have orthodontic coverage and the amount of your benefit.
As a courtesy to you, it would be our pleasure to file your insurance for you, and help you maximize your coverage. If you don't have insurance coverage, our treatment coordinator will work with you to develop a plan that fits your budget.
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Braces
The Braces On appointment takes about two hours. Separators (little blue "O" rings) are gently flossed between your back teeth one week before this braces on appointment. They are removed and your teeth are cleaned and fitted with bands around the back teeth. Smith Orthodontics offers a variety of the latest brackets that are attached to your front teeth. In most cases you may choose the style of braces that appeal to you.
We use the newest in adhesive technology that allows the braces to "stick" to your teeth. The adhesives are all activated with our special blue wavelength curing lights. The lights are safe and very fast. These adhesives also taste better than previous generation adhesives.
Colored Alastics hold the main archwire against your brackets and we carry every color in the rainbow including special "glow in the dark" colors. Have fun designing your new smile with our Color Planner.
Orthodontic treatment time may vary depending on the type of treatment and severity of the problem. We make your treatment fun.
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Invisalign
Invisalign is the no braces alternative for straight teeth. This new technology straightens teeth with a series of custom made removable plastic aligners. For best results, all permanent teeth including 12 years molars should be visible. Whether your teeth are crowded, too far apart or have shifted over time, you'll have a new reason to smile.
We are proud at Smith Orthodontics to be one of the earliest providers in the U.S. of this revolutionary new treatment and to introduce it to the Inland Northwest. We are constantly searching for ways to serve you better.
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Retainers
When treatment is completed your appliances are removed and you are fitted with custom retainers. This is a good time to see your family dentist for an exam and cleaning. Retainers help maintain your beautiful smile. In most cases a clear retainer is used for the upper teeth, so even when you are wearing your retainer you can …
Let Your Smile Shine!
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