First Visit

What To Expect at Your Complimentary First Visit

Upon your arrival at Affiliated Orthodontics, please notify our receptionist. We can’t wait to welcome you to our office. Dr. Davis or Dr. Teeters will conduct a thorough clinical orthodontic examination and explain all aspects of treatment.

The Purpose of the Initial Examination is to Answer:

• What sort of problem is present, if any?
• When is the proper time to begin treatment?
• What type of treatment is indicated?
• How long will treatment take?
• How much will the treatment cost?

What’s Next?

If orthodontic treatment is indicated at this time, an appointment for Diagnostic Records is scheduled. If time allows, these diagnostic records can be taken at the initial visit.

What are Diagnostic Records?

• Digital photographs of the face and teeth.
• Panoramic and cephalogram radiographs and tracings.
• 3D Imaging when indicated for more complicated treatment planning.
• Doctor’s studying the diagnostic records and determining the best course of treatment.

What is the Cost of the Treatment?

The cost of treatment depends upon the severity of the patient’s problem. The treatment coordinator will discuss fees and payment options, during the initial exam, if treatment is required. We have different payment plans to suit your budget and accept assignment from most insurance plans. We work hard to make orthodontics affordable.

Fees

• In an effort to keep orthodontic fees down while maintaining the highest level of professional care, we have established this financial policy:
• If full payment is made at the onset of treatment, we will offer a fee discount. (If you have insurance, we will offer a discount for payment of your portion of the fee that will not be covered by insurance.)
• To fit your individual needs, financial arrangements can be made to extend your payments over a period of months.
• For your convenience, we accept payment by VISA and MASTERCARD.

Insurance and Assignment of Benefits

We accept assignment of benefits for most insurance plans. By doing this, the family’s out-of-pocket expense is substantially lower. If you have insurance, we will help you to determine the coverage you have available. The balance will be arranged for you to pay (see above). Professional care is provided to you, our patient, and not to an insurance company. Thus, the insurance company is responsible to the patient and the patient is responsible to the doctor. We will help in every way we can in filing your claim and handling insurance questions from our office on your behalf.

Your Investment Includes:

• Orthodontic records, which consists of digital x-rays and digital photos PLUS a personalized growth study workup to determine your treatment objectives.
• Our Active treatment fee for both (1) early treatment options and (2) complete comprehensive treatment with braces or Invisalign includes: all appliances, office visits, and procedures performed in the office. Appliances are durable and should last through the entire treatment period if the patient follows instructions. If appliances require replacement due to loss, breakage, misuse or failure to eliminate foods that cause damage, we reserve the right to charge an additional replacement fee.
• One set of final retainers for our comprehensive (Phase II) patients is provided upon completion of treatment. There is a replacement fee for each additional retainer that is lost or broken.

Your Investment Does Not Include:

• Work performed at other dental offices outside our orthodontic practice.
• If an accident or injury occurs during treatment which results in TMJ (Temporo-Mandibular-Joint) complications, additional orthodontics, orthognathic surgery, etc, a fee adjustment may be required to complete treatment under these unusual circumstances.

Office Hours

It is our goal to see you, on time, for your appointment. Time is scheduled to complete the necessary procedure, give information about the treatment and answer any questions you may have. In order for us to maintain a schedule that runs in a timely manner, we request that patients arrive on time to avoid delays, as the day progresses. Your cooperation and consideration with appointments is greatly appreciated by our office and the patients that are seen after your appointment.