If you’ve scheduled your free consultation with us, you’re already well on your way to achieving a new great smile. But visiting an orthodontist for the first time can be intimidating, and there are some things you might be unsure about.
You should know that everyone at Gardner & La Rochelle Orthodontics has a great passion for creating beautiful smiles. You could say that “smiling” is the name of our game. We’re professional, we use the latest technologies, and we want your experience to be easy, fun, and convenient. No matter your needs, we can help you improve. We’ve been seeing happy patients since 1998.
Each consultation begins with an examination. We’ll take x-rays and a 5D scan of your teeth, and one of our doctors will examine your teeth and your bite. We’re really good at walking through your options and what treatment may look like for your individual case – and each patient is different! We’ll talk about cost, insurance and everything under the sun, and you’ll feel well-educated when we’re done.
There may be something that you didn’t understand or missed during your consultation. So, now, the questions:
“Is this going to work?”
We recommend orthodontic treatment to address teeth and bites of all types, including closing gaps or spacing, creating space for crowded teeth, straightening teeth, and simply to make a great smile greater. If we believe your smile goals would be best achieved by seeing other dental specialists in addition to the orthodontist, we will take care of referring you for the best care possible.
“What kind of braces am I going to get?”
We offer conventional braces, clear bracket braces, Invisalign® clear aligners, and more. If you prefer discreet orthodontic treatment, we have options. If you want to go flashy, we can break out our color chart and go wild with elastics. We’re going to find the type of braces that make you the most comfortable while creating the best results, setting you up for successful treatment.
“How long is this going to take?”
Each patient is different, and treatment times vary. You may need a small adjustment to your bite, or you may have a more complex case. Treatment time can range from 6 months to 24 months or more, but for every patient, improvement starts quickly.
“Is this going to change my lifestyle?”
Again, it depends. If you choose conventional braces and love the movies, you may want to hold off on the popcorn. You may notice subtle speech changes as you’re getting used to your Invisalign, which always improves after 1 week of wear. If you’re into sports like football or karate, we need to talk about mouthguards. You’re otherwise free to carry on as normal.
“Do I need special tools?”
While you do need to take care while brushing and flossing, what you have at home will help to keep your teeth and braces clean. And don’t worry, we will provide you with a goody bag of treats to make cleaning your teeth easier during orthodontic treatment. If you’re using rubber bands, we’ll show you how to take them on and off. It’s easy.
“What if I miss an adjustment?”
We’ve had great success with working around school and business schedules, and we have two convenient locations. We’ll find the time and location that best fits your busy week!
People smile more when they’re comfortable. It’s important to us that you’re comfortable with understanding what your options are. We want you to know how this whole process works! It’s important to us that you know what to expect when you’re expecting your new great smile!
