If you’ve been thinking about exploring orthodontic treatment with Designer Smiles, you may not be sure what to expect, especially if you don’t know much about orthodontics. Choosing to straighten your smile and improve your oral health is exciting, but like any big decision, it can also feel a little overwhelming. This is one of the most important investments you can make for your health, so it’s not unusual to feel excited and nervous all at once!
We appreciate you trusting us with your smile, and value the trust you’ve placed in our team. We’re committed to always doing our best to ensure you feel confident in our expertise and in the orthodontic process overall. Dr. Benton, Dr. Barry, and the rest of our talented team are proud to provide top-quality orthodontic care to patients of all ages in Oxford and the surrounding areas. That care begins with your very first visit! Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from this initial complimentary consultation.
Your first visit with Designer Smiles
Your first visit with us is one of the most important appointments you’ll have. We do our best to make it as positive and stress-free as possible! This gives us the chance to get to know each other and explore the orthodontic options that are available to you. You may find that this appointment lasts slightly longer than subsequent ones, but that’s just because we’re packing a lot into it! We also take our time during this visit so that you don’t feel rushed or uncomfortable.
When you arrive, you’ll be greeted warmly and introduced to some of our team. We’ll show you around the office briefly to help you feel more relaxed with your surroundings before taking some basic information from you. After we’ve collected your medical and dental history, we’ll proceed to the diagnostic records and exam.
One reason we consider this visit to be so important is because this is when our doctors will determine if there any orthodontic issues present that require treatment. They will also assess whether that treatment should begin immediately, or if it would be better to wait until a later time. As part of this process, we’ll want to take photographs of your teeth in their present state. We may also choose to do a set of panoramic x-rays. These images allow us to see what’s happening underneath the gums, like the position and growth of the bones and joints, along with any teeth that are still below the gum line.
Once we have the images we need, Dr. Benton or Dr. Barry will perform a thorough examination. Besides looking in your mouth, you may be asked a few questions, such as whether your jaws make any noise when you open or close your mouth, or if there are any obvious problems when you chew or swallow. All of this information together will allow our doctors to make a proper diagnosis and create a custom treatment plan for you.
Whether you plan to begin treatment now or later, this appointment is the best time for you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with our doctors. We will generally discuss the following topics with you, but be sure to let us know if there’s anything you don’t understand or are unsure about.
- Any oral issues you’re experiencing
- If treatment is needed immediately
- What treatment options are available to correct the problem
- If any teeth will need to be removed
- An estimate of how long we expect your treatment to take
- The total investment required for treatment
- Any payment or financing options we have available to you
We take an individualized approach to orthodontic care here at Designer Smiles. When creating a treatment plan for you, we will always take into account your specific needs, your lifestyle, and the goals you have in mind. This allows us to consistently produce superior results and a rewarding orthodontic experience for all of our patients.
Investing in your smile
Your consultation will include a breakdown of all applicable treatment fees. Every patient has different needs and responds to treatment in their own way, so costs will vary from case to case. However, we will always ensure that you understand all the costs involved before any treatment begins!
Our practice is dedicated to providing patients of all ages with affordable, effective orthodontic care. We have a variety of payment options for every budget, including payment plans, and we’ll be happy to help you maximize any orthodontic insurance benefits as well.
The next steps towards a straighter smile
Once your complimentary consultation is complete and you agree on a treatment plan with your doctor, we’ll schedule an appointment for you to start your orthodontic treatment. After treatment begins, you can expect follow-up appointments with us every 4-8 weeks or so. The exact amount of time in between appointments will depend on your specific treatment plan and our availability. During these visits, we will monitor the movement of your teeth, check that everything is progressing as it should be, and adjust your appliance if necessary.
These visits are an essential part of your orthodontic treatment, so we encourage you to cancel or reschedule only if it’s absolutely necessary. We do understand that you may sometimes be running late or have to cancel unexpectedly. If this happens, we ask that you simply let us know as soon as possible. We’ll be happy to accommodate you by rescheduling your appointment for another day.
It is also important that you continue to visit your family dentist for regular check-ups during orthodontic treatment. If extra dental care is needed, we can coordinate with your dentist to make sure that you’re receiving the best care possible across the board.
Get the smile you’ve always wanted with Designer Smiles
Your smile is too important to trust to anybody but an expert! Dr. Benton and Dr. Barry have decades of experience between them and are known for creating beautiful, long-lasting smiles for patients from young to old in our community.
We combine the latest in orthodontic techniques with cutting-edge technology to give you the best results in the shortest amount of time possible. You can always count on us to provide you with the highest quality orthodontic care in a calm, relaxing environment.
Are you interested in learning more about how orthodontic treatment could benefit your smile? Get in touch with us today to schedule your complimentary consultation. This is the perfect time to take the first step toward the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve!