The initial exam can be a very helpful way for you to get a clear idea about you or your child's orthodontic needs. The exam will be done at no charge, as a service to you and your family dentist. Although a referral is not required to schedule this appointment, we will work closely with your family dentist to assure comprehensive care.
At your first visit, Dr. Resch will examine you or your child's teeth, bite, TMJ, and facial soft tissue. This information will be used to give you a preliminary idea of the problems that may be present. Dr. Resch will also present you with possible treatment alternatives, an estimate of the treatment time, an estimate of the cost, and answer any questions you may have. If no treatment is required, Dr. Resch may suggest an observation recall to monitor future growth and development of your child.
If treatment is recommended, we will make arrangements with you to schedule a records appointment.
The records appointment takes about 20-30 minutes and usually includes the following:
- Exam/Health History
- Impressions or "molds" of your teeth and bite
- Panoramic x-ray
- Cephalometric x-ray
- Photographs of the face and teeth
Once the records have been taken, Dr. Resch will be able to develop the final diagnosis and treatment plan. This will be presented to you at a subsequent appointment where he will then discuss treatment alternatives, risks/benefits of treatment, and answer any questions you may have.
The next step is to begin with treatment. For most people, this will require two appointments, about 1 week apart. At the first appointment, tiny rubber spacers are placed to help provide space for the back braces. This usually takes a few minutes. At the second appointment, we usually allow about an hour to place all the braces. After this, monthly appointments are needed to monitor progress and make the necessary changes to ultimately get that winning smile!
