Your First Orthodontic Visit

Here at Selden Orthodontics, we know that choosing to receive orthodontic care is a big decision, and we value the trust you’ve placed in our team by scheduling a consultation with us. This is one of the most important investments you can make for your oral health, and our team is dedicated to ensuring you always feel confident in each step of the treatment process! That’s why we’ve designed our practice with a focus on providing gentle, personalized care to every patient we see. That care begins with your very first visit, so let’s take a look at what you can expect from your first orthodontic visit with Dr. Selden.

Your first visit with Selden Orthodontics

We believe that your first visit with us is one of the most important appointments you’ll have in your orthodontic journey. It gives us the chance to get to know each other and explore your orthodontic options in a relaxing, stress-free setting. We don’t want you to feel rushed or uncomfortable during this appointment, so most consultations will last anywhere from half an hour to an hour. You may want to plan your schedule accordingly. 

As you arrive in our Huntersville or Charlotte office, you’ll be greeted warmly and introduced to some of our team members. There may be a brief tour around the office to help you feel a bit more at ease with the surroundings, then we will get some basic information from you. After collecting some necessary medical and dental history from you, we’ll proceed to the diagnostic records and exam.  

What are diagnostic records?

Diagnostic records are simply orthodontic records that we obtain during a consultation appointment. These records will help form and confirm Dr. Selden’s diagnosis and treatment plan. They will also serve as the “before” documentation of your teeth, lips, and profile. Generally, you can expect diagnostic records to include:

• a panoramic radiograph that will reveal the position of erupted and unerupted teeth, any missing or extra teeth, the general condition of the bone and supporting tissue, and any possible decay.
• a cephalometric radiograph, which is essentially a side picture of the head that will be traced and measured to illustrate the outline of the nose, lips and chin. It will also show
• how the upper and lower jaw is related to the head, and how the front teeth are related to each jaw.
• extraoral photos that include a relaxed frontal picture, a smiling frontal picture, and a lateral profile. These pictures help us to evaluate facial balance and soft tissue contours.
• intraoral photos that will help us evaluate the appearance and condition of the enamel on your teeth and the gingival tissues.

 

What will the orthodontic examination be like? 

Once we have all the images we need, Dr. Selden will perform a thorough oral examination. This exam is painless since your teeth are only being observed, and no treatment is being performed. Dr. Selden will be looking at your bite, teeth, and jaws for any issues. He may also ask you 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. This information will help Dr. Selden to make a proper diagnosis and create the most appropriate treatment plan for you! 

Whether treatment is recommended for you now or later, this appointment is the best time to go over any questions or concerns you may have for our team. The following topics will generally be discussed with you following your exam, but please 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

Selden Orthodontics is proud to take an individualized approach to orthodontic care. That means we will always take into account your unique smile, specific needs, lifestyle, and goals when creating a treatment plan for you. It’s this attention to detail that allows us to consistently produce optimal results and a rewarding orthodontic experience. 

Investing in your new smile

Your consultation with us will also include a breakdown of all applicable treatment fees. Because every patient has different needs and will respond to treatment in their own way, total costs will vary from case to case. However, we will be sure that you understand all the costs involved before any treatment actually begins!

Smiles are forever, and Selden Orthodontics is committed to providing patients of all ages with affordable orthodontic care. For your convenience, we accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. We are in-network with Delta and Cigna DPPO, and will be happy to assist you in coordinating benefits with your insurer to ensure you maximize your coverage.

What are the next steps towards a healthier smile?

Once your complimentary consultation is complete and you’ve agreed on a treatment plan with Dr. Selden, we’ll schedule an appointment for you to begin your orthodontic treatment. You should expect follow-up appointments with us every 4-8 weeks or so, depending on your particular treatment plan and our availability. During these visits, Dr. Selden will be monitoring the movement of your teeth and checking that everything is progressing as it should be. He will also be adjusting your appliance if necessary.

These visits are an essential part of your orthodontic treatment. For that reason, we encourage you to cancel or reschedule only if it’s absolutely necessary. However, we also understand that you may sometimes be running late or have to cancel unexpectedly. If this does happen, 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.

 

Find your very best smile at Selden Orthodontics

At Selden Orthodontics, we combine the latest in orthodontic techniques, cutting-edge technology, and unmatched individualized care to give you the best results in the shortest amount of time possible! If you’re interested in learning more about how orthodontic treatment could benefit your smile, get in touch with us today to schedule your complimentary consultation. There’s never been a better time to take the first step toward the beautiful smile you deserve!

Posted by Dr. Selden