Our Patients In Active Treatment
About the Diagnostic Records Appointment
The first step prior to beginning treatment is a one-hour visit to create a set of diagnostic records.
The diagnostic records include:
At the next visit, the Case Presentation, the orthodontist will review the records with adult patients or with the parents of patients under 18. At this time, the doctor will outline the intended treatment plan, the length of treatment, and the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diagnostic Records
Is there a fee for this appointment?
What if recent x-rays have been taken by my dentist?
What are these records used for?
What is the next step after diagnostic records?
Does my child need to come to the Case Presentation?
When can I book the braces being put on?
Is there a fee for this appointment?
Yes. This fee is due at the time of the appointment. When you book your diagnostic records appointment, the front desk personnel should advise you of the cost. If they did not give you the fee at the time of booking, please call the office to find out what the current fee is. This fee is not part of the active treatment fee.
Please let us know if any other children in the immediate family have ever been in active treatment (braces) in our office. There is a discount for siblings or parents of prior patients.
What if recent x-rays have been taken by my dentist?
If dental x-rays have been taken of the patient within the last 6 months, either ask your dentist to forward those x-rays to our office prior to your appointment or hand-carry them with you on the date of the appointment. Our staff will examine the x-rays to determine if they can be used for diagnostic analysis. If they are appropriate to our needs, we will not repeat these x-rays and we will make copies of the x-rays for our files and return the originals to your dentist.
What are these records used for?
The information gathered from the diagnostic records is critical to the accurate diagnosis and treatment of the patient. Once the records are gathered, they will be processed by our lab. The doctor will personally diagnose each case. After he has diagnosed the case, he will create a treatment plan which will include types of appliances to be used ("braces" are an example of orthodontic appliances) and the length of treatment.
What is the next step after diagnostic records?
After the diagnostic records have been taken, we will arrange a Case Presentation appointment for you to sit down with the doctor and discuss the diagnosis and treatment plan. This appointment is usually within 4 to 6 weeks of the diagnostic records appointment depending on availability.
Does my child need to come to the Case Presentation?
Patients under the age of 18 do not need to attend the Case Presentation, however, they are always welcome to do so.
When can I book the braces being put on?
Appliance placement is not booked until after the Case Presentation. Generally, appliance placement will be within 6 weeks of the Case Presentation date dependant upon our current scheduling.
E&OE.