Wednesday, June 18, 2008

What’s So Special About An Orthodontist?

We often find our patients wondering about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Dr. Stevens started out in dental school and got a DDS (dental) degree, just like your dentist. But after dental school, Dr. Stevens decided he wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties in the dental field. So he stayed in a school for a few more years to become an expert in orthodontics, which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems such as overbites and underbites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontics (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontics (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontics (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn’t it nice to know there’s a dental expert to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Your First Visit to our Tallahassee Orthodontic Practice

We are always excited about meeting new patients during their first visit to our office. Your initial appointment will consist of a thorough examination, and a discussion of potential treatment options. This important hour and a half visit will give us insight into your orthodontic needs. We know your time is valuable, so to expedite treatment, we may also reserve time following the exam for diagnostic records. The records include x-rays, photos, and impressions for study models, and are necessary for developing the appropriate treatment plan. This additional appointment will last approximately one hour.

During the initial examination for each patient, we will address the following questions that cover the basics of orthodontic treatment. We encourage you to ask questions as well.
  • Is there a condition that orthodontics can address?
  • Is treatment needed now, or should treatment be delayed until appropriate growth, tooth eruption, or other factors have occurred?
  • What treatment procedures will be used to correct the problem?
  • Do any permanent teeth need to be removed?
  • How long will treatment take?
  • How much will it cost?
  • What are my payment options?

While we can often answer these general questions about treatment during the initial examination, we will address specific areas after careful analysis of the diagnostic records. We feel it is important to analyze each patient's specific needs, because in-depth planning leads to superior results and higher patient satisfaction.

We will then schedule a consultation visit to discuss treatment options, time frames, and financial arrangements. We insist that our patients leave the office with a clear understanding of their specific needs, what the treatment will consist of, and how long it will take. Also, we will answer any additional questions.

Please assist us by providing the following information at the time of your first visit:
  • Any panoramic x-ray taken within the past 6 months.
  • If you have orthodontic insurance, bring your insurance card. By providing this information at the first visit we will be able to give you an estimate of your costs.