What to Expect at Your First Visit

Your first visit to the orthodontic office is an exciting time because we get to meet you for the first time and get to know you.  Since creating a fabulous smile takes time, we want you to feel comfortable about Dr. Thompson and his staff.   You can ask as many questions as you want during this free consultation.  We love questions.  The more you understand, the better.  We will describe all our treatments and services we offer to allay any fears you may have.  You should allow for about an hour for this appointment.

How to Get Ready for the Appointment

You can save time by filling out a medical and dental health history ahead of your appointment.  Go to this page to print out your medical form to fill it out.

If the patient is a child, explain to him or her that an examination will be done so they won’t be surprised.  No procedures are done at this appointment unless discussed beforehand.  This will decrease apprehension.  The orthodontic office is a lot like a your family dental office with dental chairs, over patient tray and overhead lights.

Some things you may want to bring:

  • Any panograph x-ray taken within the past 6 months.
  • If you have orthodontic insurance, bring your insurance card with you.

What Will Be Done

Dr. Thompson will sit down and ask questions about your dental health and medical history. We will discuss the concerns you have about your smile and the problems you want corrected.  Some problems are obvious and some are not.  During the examination, Dr. Thompson evaluates tooth eruptions, jaw growth, dental arch length / width and facial asymmetries.  He discribes the problems that he sees in terms that you can understand so you can make an informed decision to proceed with treatment.

Some of the questions that will be answered during the consultation:

  • What benefits from orthodontic treatment will I receive for myself or my child?
  • What procedures or appliance are best in correcting the problem?
  • How long will treatment take?
  • How much will treatment cost?
  • Should I start treatment now or is it better to wait?
  • Are tooth extractions needed?

This is just a small sample of questions that can be asked.  If you have other questions, feel free to ask Dr. Thompson

A big part of our job is to determine what treatment is needed to create that beautiful smile. Dr. Thompson will outline a treatment plan that will consist of the treatment modalities needed to obtain a great result.

Some problems can wait.  Some cannot and need immediate attention and treatment.  Dr. Thompson will determine if treatment is needed in two phases or just one.  If treatment can be done at an older age, Dr. Thompson will place you on a recall appointment.  You will then be seen on a six month or yearly visit until it is time to start treatment.

The Fee

All fees for services are discussed at this appointment.  We have no hidden fees.  We offer an in-house interest free payment plan, CareCredit and a discount for payment in full.