Seeing an orthodontist for the first time may make you a little nervous. With not knowing what to expect or if they will be able to help you, there may be a lot of questions milling around in your head. The first step on your orthodontic journey is to find the right professional who will help you get that perfect smile you want and deserve, so don’t take this task lightly.
Do your research and find the right orthodontist who matches what you want out of your treatment. Once you’ve found the right fit, it’s time for your first appointment. Here’s what to expect during your first orthodontic visit.
The Meet and Greet
When you first come to your orthodontist’s office, you’ll be meeting a lot of new faces. From the front desk staff to the orthodontic assistants, it may be tough to keep all the smiling faces in order, but don’t worry, they’ll become like family to you in no time. You’ll be given a tour of the facility (if this is your first time seeing the office) and you’ll be introduced to the orthodontist (if you haven’t had the chance to meet face-to-face yet).
Here’s where you’ll be able to ask questions about the facility, the orthodontist’s education, background, specialties and anything else you wish to know more about. Don’t be shy! Your orthodontist is there to answer any questions and address any concerns you may have about your treatment.
The Initial Exam
If you’ve already met with everyone and taken a tour of the facility beforehand, you may skip right the initial exam. This is where your orthodontist will evaluate your smile to see just what your orthodontic issue is and the ways to go about fixing it. This may include:
- A visual exam of the mouth
- X-rays
- Digital impressions
Once the orthodontist has gotten all of the information they need, they can construct a plan of action for you and go over your options for treatment.
Your Treatment Options
At this time, your orthodontist will go over what they found and the best ways to tackle your treatment. They will talk about various options, such as braces or Invisalign and the benefits and limitations of each to help you better decide which avenue you want to take with your treatment. This is another great time to ask questions and get all the knowledge you need to make an informed decision about which type of treatment product you wish to utilize.
Once you’ve figured out a couple of options, it’s time to sit down with a member of the staff to talk about finance options. Options for paying for orthodontic treatment range from insurance to payment plans and everything in between, so this step is important in finding the right way to pay for your treatment.
Your First Orthodontic Visit
Once you’ve gotten a plan together and found the right payment plan for you, your journey to a beautiful smile can begin! Your follow-up appointment will be scheduled to begin treatment and you can start down the path to a better smile, more confidence and a healthier mouth.
