Enjoying a beautiful smile can instantly boost your self-confidence. You’ll enjoy improved oral health, proper speech, and your teeth will function better when adequately aligned. Before heading to the orthodontist, you should learn what to expect during your first appointment.

Discussion

Before doing X-rays or an exam, the doctor will speak with you about any problems and how your specific issues are impacting your life. For example, having an overbite may make it more difficult to bite into things. Tell your practitioner all these problems, and they will consider them when developing a treatment plan.

Imaging

The doctor will take imaging of your teeth, jaw, and gums. The imaging will give them critical insight into your problems and what is causing them. They’ll also be able to determine a proper treatment plan. Some people are candidates for specific treatments, such as invisible alignment trays. For others, braces may be able to help them achieve their goals. The first step in treating a problem is accurately identifying it.

Options

Next, your doctor will discuss the various treatment options that are available. They’ll talk with you about which treatment options can help address your concern. An orthodontist will speak about multiple treatment plans, informing you of the benefits and disadvantages of each option. You’ll learn how long each treatment will take to produce the desired results.

Prices

After discussing treatment options, you’ll typically examine the prices for each available treatment. The doctor or the office staff will discuss what treatment options your insurance will pay for, how much a co-pay will be, and whether they have credit options available that you can apply for. This can help you choose a treatment option that fits you, your budget, and your lifestyle.

Plan

After selecting a treatment, your provider will help you outline a treatment plan. This will consist of the next steps that you need to follow. You may need to come to a follow-up appointment to get fitted for braces or invisible alignment trays. Your doctor will discuss the entire treatment plan with you, including any follow-up appointments.

According to Colgate, it can take up to a decade for someone to become a certified orthodontist, so you can feel confident that your problems will be taken care of by someone with expertise in the field. Going to an orthodontist is the first step to a beautiful smile that makes you feel confident again. Contact us to schedule your first appointment today!