TREATMENT INFORMATION
Your First Visit
What to bring:
1. Completed patient history sheet. We will mail this to you after you call and make the appointment.
2. Panoramic x-ray taken within the last year by your dentist. You can call your dentist and ask if they have made one in the last year. They will send a copy to us upon your request or you can pick it up and bring it with you.
3. Insurance information. Even though we get this information over the phone when you call in, it is good to have it with you to clarify if there are any questions.
4. Patient with Parent or Guardian. Yes, we do need the patient and parent. Since orthodontics is diagnosed on an individual basis we can’t give general treatment consults. It is important that a parent or Guardian come along to go over financial arrangement options.
Now you’re all set!
Dr. Brown’s goal is to give you an accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendation at the first visit. He uses a thorough orthodontic examination (which has no discomfort) as well as a panoramic and cepholometric x-ray in his diagnosis. We may take one or both of these x-rays at no charge in order to asses the best method of treatment for the patient. After the examination Dr. Brown will explain areas of concern and make treatment recommendations. At this time the new patient coordinator will consult with patient and parents concerning recommended treatment, how to care for braces, appointment scheduling, financial arrangement options as well as answer any questions. Please allow an hour in your schedule for this appointment.
Insurance
We accept and file for insurances benefits with most companies that have orthodontic coverage. Orthodontic insurance benefits typically pay out over the course of treatment. We do our very best to estimate insurance benefits accurately. However, in the event your insurance does not cover the benefits estimated you are responsible for all payments not made by the insurance company.
Payment Options
We have 3 options for financial arrangements in our office.
- Pay in full. There is a 10% savings for treatment paid in full.
- Down Payment and Monthly Payments (with approved credit) The down payment and payment arrangements will be determined after credit approval.
- Citi Health Card
Treatment for:
Children
It's best for the orthodontist to see children by age 7 to advise if orthodontic treatment is required and the best time for that patient to be treated. The first permanent molars and incisors have usually come in by that time and crossbites, crowding and other problems can be evaluated. When treatment is begun early, the orthodontist can guide the growth of the jaw and guide incoming permanent teeth. Early treatment can also regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb-sucking, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early treatment can simplify later treatment.
Two-phase orthodontic treatment
Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a very specialized process that encompasses tooth straightening and physical, facial changes. The major advantage of a two-phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to accomplish the ideal healthy, functional, esthetic result.
Adults
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. One of every five patients in orthodontic treatment is over 21. Adults also may have experienced some breakdown or loss of their teeth and bone that supports the teeth and may require periodontal treatment before, during and/or after orthodontic treatment. Bone loss can also limit the amount and direction of tooth movement that is advisable.
What is surgical orthodontics?
Just as orthodontics repositions teeth, surgical orthodontics (also known as orthognathic surgery) corrects jaw irregularities to improve the patient’s ability to chew, speak, and breathe and for improved facial appearances. In other words, surgical orthodontics straightens your jaw. Moving the jaws also moves the teeth, so braces are always performed in conjunction with jaw correction. This helps make sure teeth are in their proper positions after surgery.
Who needs surgical orthodontics?
We will consider surgical orthodontic treatment for non-growing adult patients with improper bites and those with facial esthetic concerns. Jaw growth is usually completed by age 16 for girls and 18 for boys. All growth must be completed before jaw surgery can be performed. However the pre-surgical tooth movements can begin one to two years prior to these ages.
Common Treatments
Crowding: teeth may be aligned poorly because the dental arch is small and or teeth are too large
Protruding upper teeth: Upper front teeth that protrude beyond normal contact with the lower front teeth are prone to injury. It often indicates a poor bite of the back teeth and may indicate unevenness in jaw growth
Overbite: A deep overbite or deep bite occurs when the lower front teeth bite too close or into the gum tissue behind the upper front teeth.
Spacing: If teeth are missing or small, or the dental arch is very wide, space between the teeth can occur.
Crossbite: The most common type of crossbite is when the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth.\
Underbite: This occurs when the lower front teeth are in front of the upper front teeth. Most often caused due to excessive lower jaw growth,
Openbite: When the upper and lower front teeth are out of contact. This can be caused by inconsistent jaw growth or habits such thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.
Helpful Information during Treatment
In case of an after hours emergency
If you have a situation where you can’t open or close your mouth or you have something painful that your can’t ease by snipping, clipping or covering with wax call the office number where you are normally seen. The answering service will answer and take down information needed in order to call the staff member on call for that office. You should receive a call back within the hour to address the problem you are having. There are times that it might require a drive to the next closest location for emergency appointments.
Having Trouble?
*Loose Bracket (a bracket that is no longer stuck to the tooth) - Call during regular office hours to let us know. Sometimes it can wait until your next appointment; sometimes it may require a special visit for the repair.
*Spacer is Out – a spacer is normally creating space between two teeth for a follow-up appointment. If you can slide the spacer back in between the teeth with floss and get it to stay that is best. If the spacer has created a lot of space between the two teeth, they may not be close enough to hold the spacer. If your appointment is within 24 – 48 hours you usually don’t have anything to be concerned about, however call the office during the next regular business hours and the staff will be glad to advise you.
*Wire Sticking - If the end of one of the little pig tail wires is sticking up and poking you, take a blunt object like the end of a spoon or a pencil eraser and push the sticky part up or down under the main wire. Sometimes the end of the wire will start to poke you in the cheek in between appointments. Call and make an appointment to have the wire clipped, it only takes a second. You can also use wax to cover the area sticking until your next appointment. The best way to get wax to stay is dry the area off thoroughly before placing the wax.
Foods to Avoid
Foods high in sugar! Remember sugar makes plaque and plaque makes cavities and decalcification (white spots)
Sticky Foods: Gum, Caramel, Taffy, Now and Laters, Gummy Bears, etc.
Hard or Brittle Foods: Ice, Hard Candy (like jaw breakers and jolly ranchers), nuts etc
Thick Hard things: You can cut most of the things in this list up into bite-size pieces. Apples, raw vegetables, corn on the cob, etc