Your First Visit
During your first visit to our office, our treatment coordinator will greet you and fill out the patient history form with you. Dr. Nettune or Dr. Banasiak will then do an oral exam and a complete orthodontic evaluation, and discuss your needs for treatment. We will address any questions or concerns you may have and will discuss your goals and expectations. This is a complimentary visit to help you get familiar with orthodontics and our office. If you wish to continue with treatment, an X-ray, impressions or records are taken. At this visit, one of three outcomes is determined:
- Treatment is needed now
- Treatment is not needed at all
- Treatment will be needed but it would be better for you that we wait for growth, tooth eruption, etc.
Getting Started With Treatment
If treatment is indicated, it can easily begin at your first appointment by taking diagnostic records. They consist of two X-rays (panorex and cephalometric) and impressions for study models and diagnostic photographs. These records are taken at our office and take an additional 20-30 minutes. Diagnostic records are needed to obtain accurate models of the teeth and dental arches so that Dr. Nettune or Dr. Banasiak can measure their relationship to one another. Our office utilizes the latest techniques of treatment planning and delivery. Our most recent advancement comes in the form of digital imaging, a computerized method of gathering digital pictures. It takes about two weeks for the lab to finish the records and for the doctors to study your individual case and work up a custom treatment plan to suit your individual needs and goals. This is all discussed at the second appointment, the consultation. Dr. Nettune, Dr. Banasiak and our Treatment Coordinator will go over your treatment plan and financial arrangements. He will help you set up all appointments necessary to get you started with your treatment.
Age Seven, A Year to Remember
In the past, orthodontic treatment was often postponed until the adolescent years, when all the permanent teeth came in. We now know that many orthodontic problems can be treated earlier and much easier by working with the growth that takes place in younger children. Dr. Nettune and Dr. Banasiak follow the American Association of Orthodontists' recommendation that every child have an orthodontic evaluation by age seven, or earlier if a problem is detected. Although treatment may not begin at this young age, an early examination allows the doctor to monitor your child's dental development. Early detection can significantly reduce the need for removal of permanent teeth. And because younger children are more enthusiastic and cooperative, total treatment time is often reduced. In many cases, positive orthodontic results can be achieved which would not otherwise be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.
Braces and Beauty at Any Age
Beautiful, healthy smiles are possible for almost anyone. From age seven to age 70, the biological process of tooth movement is the same in adults and children. In fact, it's the condition of a person's teeth, gums, and supporting bone that is the most important element in deciding whether or not to begin treatment. Properly aligned teeth are not only easier to clean, they can go a long way to improving a person's self-esteem and confidence. Whether you are considering orthodontic care to enhance your appearance or to correct a poor bite that has contributed to dental problems, we'd love to talk with you about the benefits of adult orthodontics.
