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 Your First Visit
We see each new patient as an opportunity to serve, and we look forward to meeting you and providing a valuable service to you. One of our key objectives is to make each of your visits with us enjoyable, informative, and productive.
Your first visit here will be a no-charge consultation which will include a discussion of your concerns along with a thorough examination of your teeth, facial structure, jaw alignment, bite, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). If indicated, an x-ray will be taken to assist Dr. Willes in formulating a diagnosis and provide you with important dental information and an individualized treatment plan. Following this initial examination, Dr. Willes will be able to answer the following questions:
- Is orthodontic treatment indicated?
- When is the optimal time to begin treatment?
- What treatment options are available?
- How long will treatment last?
- How much will treatment cost?
If treatment is indicated at this time, Dr. Willes will discuss possible treatment options and answer any questions you may have. You can be assured that Dr. Willes's treatment philosophy is to provide the same orthodontic care to each of his patients as he would to his own children and family. He is committed to achieving the highest orthodontic quality possible in the most effective, efficient manner.
Diagnostic Records
To confirm his initial findings and detect any additional problems, Dr. Willes will need diagnostic records, which can be taken at our office for your convenience. These records allow Dr. Willes to investigate the problems that exist and are important in developing a customized treatment plan for each patient. The records are also helpful in tracking the progress of treatment. Diagnostic records consist of medical/dental histories, photographs of the face and teeth, plaster study models, and radiographs (x-rays).
Treatment Conference and Bonding
Your next appointment with us will include both a treatment conference and placing the braces or appliances. It is important for one or both parents to be present with the patient at this appointment since the final treatment plan will be reviewed and paperwork will be completed at this time. This appointment usually takes from one to one and a half hours.
Indirect Bonding Explained
At Willes Orthodontics we use an "indirect bonding" approach to putting on your braces. Indirect bonding is a method of placing brackets on teeth with a higher degree of precision than with traditional bonding. And since the placement of the braces is an important factor in determining where and how the teeth move, accuracy is essential. With indirect bonding, instead of positioning the braces directly on the patient's teeth, we first position them on a stone replica or "model" of those teeth. This method is more exact because the teeth on the model can be studied and measured from all angles without the interference of lips, cheeks, or tongue.
After we prepare and precisely place the braces on the model, we make a tray that wraps around the braces and holds them in position so we can lift them from the model and transfer them to the patient's teeth. When all is ready at the bonding appointment, we clean and prepare the teeth, and then bond (glue) the braces on all at once. Obviously this saves time for the patient and is much more comfortable. But even more important than comfort and convenience is the orthodontic benefit of more accurate bracket placement, which makes for more effective, efficient treatment, shorter treatment time, and more consistent, beautiful results. This method does take a little more time and effort for us to prepare, but it's for your smile, and it's worth it.
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