First Orthodontist Visit

Identifying the best timing of orthodontic treatment is very important. You or your child may or may not be ready for treatment. That is why we want to perform an examination of your teeth and bite, so we can better understand your needs. Your first appointment at Grubaugh Orthodontics will be approximately 45 minutes. We use this as an opportunity to meet with you and gather information, and to perform a limited evaluation of your dental and orthodontic issues, discuss appropriate orthodontic treatment options and the optimum time to start treatment. While we discuss treatment, we certainly take your own concerns into account, in addition to your dental development and oral hygiene. We will then re-evaluate your situation every 6-12 months to accurately determine if you are not ready to start treatment. During these appointments we take and update orthodontic records including digital study models, photographs, and the necessary radiographs for those who are ready to start immediately. Orthodontic records will be necessary to provide you with appropriate and definitive treatment options for you to choose from.

We want to ensure that you are well informed of the upcoming orthodontic process and your particular situation, and for you to know that your comfort is our top concern. We will make every effort to answer all of your questions at our initial consultation so you do not leave with any concerns. Should we need more diagnostic information to be able to determine treatment options, we will recommend taking orthodontic records to adequately provide you with appropriate treatment alternatives. We may also ask questions such as whether your jaw makes noise when the mouth is opening or closing, or if there are any problems when you chew or swallow— in addition to just looking in your mouth at the first examination. Taken together, this information allows us to make a proper diagnosis and finalize our treatment plan for you.

At Grubaugh Orthodontics our main objective is to ensure all of your visits with us are pleasant and informative. Your initial appointment will consist of an examination and a discussion of potential treatment options. This important visit addresses the orthodontic needs of you or your child.

Diagnostic Records and Treatment Planning

You will be scheduled for diagnostic records if it is determined that treatment is needed. These records usually consist of digital study models, diagnostic photographs, and orthodontic radiographs (x-rays). These enable us to see what is going on underneath the gums: the position and growth of bones and joints, and the teeth that are still below the gum line. In some cases, we may also take an impression (mold) of the teeth. This lets us make an exact replica of the bite, which helps us understand exactly what the problem is and how best to treat it. If we need to do this, we will ask you (or your child) to bite down on some soft putty-like material for a few moments; then we will remove it and make the mold in our lab. Once these orthodontic records have been obtained, Dr. Grubaugh will review them and determine the appropriate treatment options. He will also inform you about your Invisalign treatment options.

Successive Visits

Periodic visits are an important part of orthodontic treatment. We will schedule a checkup for you every 10 to 12 weeks to make adjustments to your braces or deliver your next set of aligners, and to check your progress. You will need to make sure you keep all appointments at this time, follow instructions, eat nutritiously, and practice good oral hygiene.

Once your braces are removed, a retainer will be utilized to hold your teeth in their new positions until your bone, gums, and muscles adapt to the new teeth positions. We will schedule a return visit to our office one month after your retainer has been fitted. After that appointment, visits will typically take place every two to four months. During the retention appointments, the retainer is examined, adjusted and corrected to ensure proper function. It is important that you follow Dr. Grubaugh’s instructions on wearing the retainer in order to prevent relapse. The retention period is an important part of your overall treatment and should not be neglected!

Length of Treatment

The length of time in your braces varies anywhere between 6 and 30 months. They can possibly stay on longer depending on your age, the severity of the problem, your cooperation, and the degree of movement possible.

Dental Care

Your family dentist should make certain that all cavities have been treated, and the health of your gums and underlying bone are free of periodontal disease before any orthodontic treatment takes place. One or more of your teeth may be prescribed by Dr. Grubaugh to be removed to eliminate crowding and correct your bite. Make sure to also schedule cleaning and cavity check up visits with your family dentist during your orthodontic care.

Financial Information

The team at Grubaugh Orthodontics strives to provide affordable orthodontic care for our patients and families. We know that orthodontic treatment and braces are an important investment. We want to make your orthodontic treatment affordable. One of our primary goals is to help the average family receive personalized orthodontic care without straining their finances.

For your convenience, we offer a variety of flexible, orthodontic payment plans with no down payment options and low monthly payments. Check with our office staff if you have any questions or would like to obtain more specific information.

Before you leave your first exam, we will sit down with you to discuss in detail what to expect if you proceed with orthodontic treatment. We enjoy meeting all prospective patients and their families— you are what makes us who we are! We take the time to develop a treatment plan made just for you. Patient care is a huge priority for the Grubaugh Orthodontics team, and giving you the most beautiful, healthy smile is something we are honored to provide. If you are in the area, stop by our DeWitt or Lansing office, or call us today to schedule your initial exam and see why we are the orthodontic team kids love and parents trust!

Posted by Amber Weakley