Welcome to New England Orthodontic Specialists! Choosing to improve your oral health with orthodontics is a big decision, and we appreciate your trust in us. We’re excited to help you achieve a healthier smile! Our practice is proud to offer patients of all ages a variety of effective treatment options and world-class orthodontic care. If you’re not familiar with the world of orthodontics, you may be feeling a little unsure about what’s ahead. This is normal! It’s important to us that all of our patients feel informed about the treatment process and confident in our care, however. For that reason, we’ve put together this guide on what to expect from your first visit with us. Keep reading below to learn more!
First things first: your free consultation
The first step in any orthodontic journey should be an initial consultation with an experienced orthodontist. This initial visit is one of the most important ones you’ll have! It gives us the chance to get to know each other, perform an oral examination, discuss any concerns you have about your smile, and answer any questions you have about orthodontic treatment.
When you arrive for your appointment, you’ll receive a warm welcome whether you’re visiting our Beverly or Topsfield office. We’ll introduce you to some of our talented team and show you around the office a bit to help you feel more comfortable with your surroundings. We’ll also review your medical and dental histories to determine the best course of treatment and catch any potential complications.
Following this, one of our doctors will carry out a thorough oral examination. This is a comfortable and pain-free look into your mouth for any orthodontic issues that may indicate the need for treatment. If our doctors believe treatment is appropriate, we’ll collect diagnostic records at your convenience. These records include digital photographs of your teeth, x-rays, and study models. We will sometimes use advanced diagnostic tools like digital x-rays and CBCT scans to help us gain a better understanding of your oral health. CBCT scans are particularly useful because they give us a 3D look at your teeth, soft tissues, and underlying bone all within a single scan!
We never want you to feel as though we’re rushing you through your appointments, especially this first one! This initial visit with us will normally last about an hour, which gives us plenty of time to perform the exam, discuss your diagnosis, and address any questions or concerns you may have at this point. We’ll also go over important topics such as:
- any oral issues you are experiencing
- if treatment is recommended right away
- what treatment options are available to you
- an estimate of how long we expect your treatment to take
- the total investment required for your new smile
- any payment or financing options we offer
Orthodontic evaluations for children
Children and adolescents are ideal candidates for orthodontic treatment. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends all children receive an orthodontic evaluation by around the age of seven! This allows us to determine any present issues and the possibility of other problems developing in the future. Many orthodontic problems are easier to catch and correct at an earlier age, before all the permanent teeth have erupted and the jaw bone stops growing. Early childhood evaluations allow us to be proactive instead of reactive!
Most of the time, a child’s first appointment will not involve a recommendation for treatment. If our doctors do believe interceptive treatment is in a child’s best interest, it can prevent greater complications from occurring later and reduce the length of treatment in the long run. If no treatment is necessary at the time of the appointment, we may recommend a period of supervision or “recall” instead. This gives us the opportunity to monitor a child’s dental growth, development, and the eruption of their teeth, catching any problems as they emerge. There is no charge for these recall visits.
Orthodontic consultations for adults
You’re never too old to take advantage of all the benefits orthodontics has to offer! Adult consultations are slightly different than an adolescent’s, however. The teeth and gums must be healthy before we attempt any kind of tooth movement, so we must first determine that there are no existing issues with the patient’s oral health. For this reason, we may recommend a periodontal evaluation for adults to ensure there is no evidence of gum disease, as this can weaken the periodontal tissues and make it difficult to safely move the teeth.
Investing in a straighter, healthier smile
At New England Orthodontic Specialists, we pride ourselves on providing safe, effective, and affordable treatment options for every member of your family. After you’ve discussed all your options with one of our doctors and decided on a treatment plan, we’ll look at the total investment needed for your new smile.
Because every case is different and each patient responds to treatment in their own way, the total treatment costs will always vary from person to person. Our team will always ensure you understand exactly what’s included in your treatment plan before moving on to the next part of your orthodontic journey!
The financial side of orthodontic treatment can be confusing, but we do our best to make it as easy for you as possible. We’ve fostered working relationships with the top insurance companies, and also offer discount programs and payment plans for qualifying patients. If you do have dental insurance that will cover any portion of your orthodontic treatment, our office staff is always available to help you with claims and paperwork.
Let your smile take center stage at New England Orthodontic Specialists
Your smile is as unique as you are. Don’t trust it to anything less than an expert orthodontist! Dr. Diana Esshaki and Dr. Neil Flückiger have many years of combined experience in providing North Shore families with beautifully aligned smiles and improved oral health.
If you haven’t already scheduled a FREE consultation with us, get in touch today and take the first step towards the smile you’ve always wanted!