Office Policies

Office Policies

Your First Visit

At the first visit to the orthodontist, your medical/dental history along with a clinical examination will help us determine if you are ready to begin orthodontic treatment. If we are ready to proceed, an appointment is scheduled for diagnostic records to determine the best course of treatment. Complete diagnostic records typically include a medical/dental history, clinical examination; plaster study models of the teeth, photos of the patient's face and teeth, and X-rays. This information is used to develop a custom treatment plan for each patient. These records are also helpful in tracking the progress of treatment as the teeth move under orthodontic care.


Consultation

After the doctor has evaluated your records, we discuss your treatment with you in detail, including the cost for your particular case.


Regular Appointments

The appointment when you get your appliances (braces, expanders, etc.) usually takes from one to two hours. You'll then see us at regular intervals 4 to 8 weeks apart for an adjustment, which takes 20 to 40 minutes. Our regular office hours are Tuesday to Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Patients are seen by appointment only. We make every effort to be on time for our patients, and ask that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify us immediately. Cancel only if it is an emergency. It is difficult to reschedule since most appointments are made 4 to 8 weeks in advance.


Payment & Office Policies

Cost

The cost of treatment depends on the severity of the patient's problem. You will be able to discuss fees and payment options before treatment begins. We have payment plans to suit different budgets. We also accept assignment from most insurance plans, and file the necessary papers to the insurance company. 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.
  • In cases of serious delinquency, treatment will be discontinued, although we will make every effort to accommodate patients with temporary difficulties. Please let us know if you are having financial difficulties, we will be happy to make special financial arrangements as needed on an individual basis.
Insurance

If you have insurance, we will help you to determine the coverage you have available. We ask that you assign your insurance benefit to us, and you will be responsible for the balance (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.


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