Welcome to Adult & Pediatric Orthodontics! Choosing to improve your smile with orthodontic treatment is a big decision, and even though it’s exciting to imagine the outcome, you may be feeling a little nervous about your first orthodontist visit. This is totally normal! The unknown can be scary, and this is an investment of your time, emotions, and finances. We take your trust in us seriously, and want you to feel confident in our care from your first interaction with us to your last. That begins with preparing you for your first visit with us!
This initial consultation is one of the most important appointments you’ll have with us, so our goal is to make it as positive and stress-free as possible. This is our chance to meet and get to know a bit about each other, and it also provides the foundation for your orthodontic journey. If you aren’t familiar with the orthodontic process, you may not be sure what to expect from this first visit. Let’s take a closer look at how we handle both our virtual and in-office evaluations, and what will follow them!
Adult & Pediatric Orthodontics is embracing virtual services
The health and safety of our patients and staff have always been a top priority for us. By choosing to offer virtual consultations, you’re able to take the first step towards a healthier smile without ever having to leave the house! Meeting this way can be helpful for anyone who is immunocompromised, high-risk, or simply worried about exposing themselves to communicable illnesses.
Because telemedicine is relatively new in many areas, you may not be familiar with virtual visits. Fortunately, it’s a simple process that is quite self-explanatory! Begin by visiting our official homepage at https://www.orthodocmaine.com/. You should see a pop-up on your screen inviting you to begin a free virtual exam. From there, just follow each prompt as its given. If you’re unable to complete the request for any reason, our team will be happy to help! Just give us a call or click here to contact us with any questions.
What happens during your first in-office orthodontist visit?
When you arrive for your appointment at our Portland or Windham office, you’ll be greeted warmly as take you through our safety protocols. We’ll then go over your medical and dental history briefly before taking a series of digital photographs and panoramic x-rays. These will give us a better idea of what’s happening beneath the surface of your smile!
You will be introduced to Dr. Yu before she performs a thorough oral examination. The information obtained from your history, images, and exam are part of your diagnostic records, and this gives Dr. Yu everything she needs to provide you with an accurate diagnosis and customized treatment plan.
We never want you to feel as though we’re rushing you through your appointments, especially the first one! You should plan to spend about an hour with us during your consultation, as this gives us plenty of time to cover all the important topics, including:
- any questions or concerns you have about your smile
- if treatment is needed immediately or if waiting would be the best course of action
- what treatment options would be best for your unique smile
- 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 have available to you
Investing in a healthier smile
At Adult & Pediatric Orthodontics, we believe every patient should have access to high-quality orthodontic care that fits every budget. The total cost of treatment will always vary from case to case, and we’ll go over all the fees associated with your treatment plan during your consultation. We offer easy financing and payment plans, as well as a variety of affordable treatment options. We’ll always ensure you understand the investment required for your new smile before moving forward with the orthodontic process.
What happens once the consultation is complete?
After you’ve decided on a treatment plan with Dr. Yu, we’ll schedule an appointment for you to come in and have your appliance fitted or placed. Depending on your treatment plan, you’ll also be scheduled for follow-up visits with us every 4-8 weeks or so. During these checkups, Dr. Yu will ensure your teeth are moving safely and adjust your braces if necessary. She may also choose to change the wire at this time.
These visits are an essential part of every orthodontic journey, so you should always try your best to not miss any of them. Of course, life sometimes gets in the way of the best-laid plans! If you do find yourself running late or unable to make an appointment for any reason, we simply ask that you let us know as soon as possible so we can get you rescheduled for another day. This will help us keep your smile on the right track!
You should continue to see your family dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings throughout your orthodontic journey. If any extra dental care happens to be needed during this time, we’ll be happy to coordinate care with your dentist to ensure your smile stays healthy.
An amazing smile is waiting for you at Adult & Pediatric Orthodontists
You only get one smile, so don’t trust it to anything less than an expert! Dr. Yu is proud to create beautiful smiles for patients of all ages in Portland, Windham, and the surrounding communities. Our talented team is committed to providing our patients with an exceptional orthodontic experience, and that begins with your first visit to one of our conveniently located offices. If you haven’t already scheduled your FREE virtual or in-office consultation, get in touch today and we’ll be happy to help set it up for you!