Your First Visit

Step 1: Initial Visit

Our objective is to make sure your visits with us will be pleasant and informative. Your initial appointment will consist of an examination and a discussion of potential treatment options.

This important visit will address the orthodontic needs of you or your child and provide an estimate of fees and length of treatment.

Please assist us by providing the following information for your first visit:

• Complete and send the online patient information form or plan to come in 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time to complete the written form
• Any X-rays (if applicable)
• A list of medications you are taking
• If you have insurance, please inform us before your first visit so that we can confirm your benefits. This will save you time and allow us to help you process any claims.

Step 2: Personal Planning

If treatment is indicated, the next step is to make diagnostic records. These records are made in our office and usually consist of study models, diagnostic photographs, and orthodontic x-rays. Once these orthodontic records have been obtained, Dr. Moopen will review them and determine a customized treatment plan for your orthodontic needs.

Next, a consultation is scheduled to present Dr. Moopen’s findings, review your treatment plan, make financial arrangements, and set up appointments to begin treatment.

Step 3: Treatment Visits

Periodic Visits are an important part of orthodontic treatment. Generally, we will want to see you every 4-8 weeks to check your progress and make adjustments to your braces. During this time, you will need to keep appointments, follow instructions, as well as practice good oral hygiene and proper nutrition. It is important to continue regular visits with your dentist, especially for cleanings.

Length of Treatment

Braces may be on between 6 months to 30 months, or longer depending on the age of the patient, the severity of the problem, the patient’s cooperation, and the degree of movement possible.

Don’t forget that you, the patient, have a great deal to do with the length of treatment. Here’s how:

• Don’t Miss Your Appointments
  First and foremost, keeping your appointment time is quintessential to speed up your treatment time. Each missed appointment can lengthen treatment time by about a month.
• Wear Your Elastics And Appliances As Instructed
  Your teeth won’t move if instructions are not followed.
• Keep Your Teeth And Braces Clean
  All efforts should be focused on designing your new smile, not on unhealthy teeth and gums. Clean teeth with healthy gums move faster.

Step 4: Retainers

Once the active period of treatment is completed, your braces are removed. The next step is called retention. Retainers are utilized to hold your teeth in their new positions so that they do not move back into pre-treatment position. In our office, our standard protocol is to place a fixed retainer wire behind the lower incisors and we provide a clear removable retainer for the upper teeth.

We are frequently asked “How long do I have to wear my retainers?” The answer may surprise you: we recommend that you wear your retainers as long as you want straight teeth! Studies have shown that teeth will always want to move, even for people who have had their wisdom teeth removed. In fact, almost 50% of adults who come to our office for treatment had previous orthodontic care as a child. At some point they neglected to wear their retainer or were told to remove their fixed (permanent retainer) by a dental professional.

We do not forget about you after your braces are removed. There are two office visits during the 1-year retention period where we examine your retainers and your bite relationship to ensure your results will last you a lifetime. In the meantime, if you have any questions or if you accidentally cause any damage to your retainers, please call us immediately. We always say that half the work in orthodontics is getting the smile perfect, the other half is keeping the smile looking great.