First Appointment

Message

#1 Post by **retsac** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 1:13 am

Hi

I have my first appointment with the Ortho next week and was wondering what to expect?

What questions would I be advised to ask and what should I be looking out for?

Cheers

#2 Post by **MrMetalMouth1029** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:06 pm

Hey retsac! For my first appointment, I went in and got a little orientation to the office. I had to watch a video on the process and I was introduced to my orthodontist. They x-rayed my teeth (panorex) and took lots of pictures of my teeth. I was there for two hours (it was a Monday afternoon, so there were a lot of school-aged kids there). By the time I left, the financial specialist had told me how much my treatment would cost and the orthodontist gave me a treatment time estimate. I was amazed at how quickly they could tell. Then we set the appointment. If not for my wisdom teeth and a crown that had to be placed, I could have been braced that next week, but it took another month. You will feel a lot better once you've gotten in there, gotten oriented, and ask questions. I guess I would be asking about the treatment time, the types of braces that can be applied, and financial issues. It just depends on your comfort level. Best of luck in your journey!

#3 Post by **ssfw** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:13 pm

Hi retsac,

MrMetalMouth1029 had great questions to ask your orthodontist.

You may want to bring a list of questions so that you don't forget to ask any of your questions. Some suggestions for questions is to think about what has gone through your mind, such as what are the pros and cons of ortho treatment, what happens if there is an emergency after hours or on the weekend or on the day(s) they are closed, alternate option available (if not ortho treatment)?, who will be placing the braces on your teeth and doing the adjustments (at my ortho's office the dental assistants did alot of the work, but my orthodontist always did the adjsutments or checked what the assistant did before anything was bonded, etc. Some people are uncomfortable with the assistants doing alot of the work, to be honest with you, I was initially a bit hesistant about this, but found that the assistants at my ortho's office are very well trained and are great (I also knew a couple people that had ortho treatment with my ortho and their teeth look great). There were some things the ortho did and at times when the assistant couldn't remove/replace something, then my ortho came to the rescue

. Regarding the training of the assistants had, it really depends on your office. This may not even have to be a concern because it could be your orthodontist does all of the work. Another question you may want to ask if it comes up, is if your ortho is suggesting extraction of teeth, ask him/her what the outcome will be if the teeth were not extracted - how it will effect your overall treatement (pros/cons).

I hope these suggestions were of some help.

Good luck and keep us posted.

ssfw

#4 Post by **retsac** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 9:41 am

Hi guys thansk for all your advice.

Im kinda looking forward to going as it will answer so many questions straight away. Im getting married next year and dont wanna be in braces for that. But going will give me the answer as to what can be done before that and what can be done afters.

This is my first propper step towards realising something that I have thought about for so long that, in its self that will be a great relief.

So from the gist of it I can expect some xrays and pos moulds taken?

Cheers again