What Happens at First Orthodontist Appointment?
If you’ve decided that it’s time to take the plunge to begin orthodontic treatment, then first thing’s first, Congratulations! It’s an important decision and one you won’t regret. But while you have your eye on the prize of that perfect smile that’s waiting just around the corner for you, you might be wondering what the process will be like to get there.
A lot of people have fear about getting work done on their teeth by an orthodontist, and that’s ok, it can be a little intimidating. But at South Surrey Smiles, you can rest assured that you are in good hands. We are here to make sure you feel comfortable and informed, and that your experience with us is comfortable.
Therefore, we thought we’d come up with a little guide on what you can expect during your first orthodontist appointment so you can get rid of those jitters and start looking forward to your new smile.
First, after you’ve booked the appointment and have arrived, we will welcome you to our state of the art facility with an office tour. We want to make you feel right at home so it is important to show you around. We encourage you to look around and explore and come back to us with any questions you might have. On the tour, you will be offered a Nespresso latte. We have several flavours available for you to choose from.
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Once you’ve settled in, we will begin by taking a set of photos and x-rays of your mouth and teeth. This will give us the information we need to assess where your teeth are at and where they can go. It is the first step in coming up with the proper orthodontic treatment plans custom made for you. You will find this information useful because we will be able to show you on your photos exactly what is happening with your teeth and why improvements might be necessary.
From there, your orthodontist will perform a thorough exam to give us a precise idea of how to improve the health of your gums, teeth and bite. Since there are sometimes a number of treatment options available for each different situation, we will put forth the options that are available to you. Our treatment coordinator will walk through the different choices, including the costs, duration and types of braces that are most suitable for you. We understand that each person and situation is unique and we will work to find the right road for you.
Once the information has been presented and your thorough exam is complete, you will have the opportunity to begin your treatment that very day! We will start by taking a scan of your teeth (detailed photographs) which will allow for us to print models of your teeth out of a 3D printer. No more impressions/moulds are required at South Surrey Smiles! We are always up to date with the latest technology.
With the models of your teeth, your orthodontist will set up all the braces on the model of your teeth before your appointment to place your braces. We will fabricate a custom tray that gets sucked down over the braces on the model, and when it is removed, your braces will all be in a mouth guard. This makes the braces placement extremely efficient, comfortable, and precise. With this technique, all your braces can be placed at once, rather than one at a time which makes your time in the chair substantially longer. As soon as the following week, we can apply the braces and get you well on your way to a healthy, glowing smile.
We strive to make your orthodontic visits short and sweet while delivering quality care. Using the latest technology and spending time on your treatment plan when you do not need to be in the office are just a couple of ways we can improve your experience. If you have any further questions about what an orthodontist can do for you or how to achieve a perfect smile, don’t hesitate to be in touch with our helpful and knowledgeable staff. We look forward to delivering a high level of service to you and a result you will be excited about.
Dr. Williams, an orthodontist in Surrey, and the South Surrey Smiles team are dedicated to providing the South Surrey, White Rock, and surrounding communities with consistently exceptional orthodontic care, creating a fun, relaxed practice where you can feel truly at home.