We are always excited about meeting new patients during their first visit to our office. Your initial appointment will consist of a detailed examination and a discussion of potential treatment options. This important 20-minute visit will give us insight into your orthodontic needs and in many cases it is also possible to compare your case to a similar case using our patient education software. We will also be able to give you an estimate of the cost of treatment.
In order to define your treatment and cost further, it will be necessary to take full diagnostic records, including X-rays, photographs and impressions for study models. These records will provide Dr. Crotty with the extra information required to design your own individual treatment plan. This additional records appointment will last approximately thirty minutes.
During the initial examination for each patient, we will address the following questions that cover the basics of orthodontic treatment. We encourage you to ask questions as well.
- Is there a condition that orthodontics can address?
- Is treatment needed now or should treatment be delayed until appropriate growth, tooth eruption or other factors have occurred?
- What treatment procedures will be used to correct the problem?
- Do any permanent teeth need to be removed?
- How long will treatment take?
- How much will it cost?
- What are my payment options?
While we can often answer these general questions about treatment during the initial examination, we will address specific areas after careful analysis of the diagnostic records. We feel it is important to analyse each patient's specific needs, because in-depth planning leads to superior results and higher patient satisfaction.
We will then schedule a consultation visit to discuss treatment options, time frames and financial arrangements. We make every effort to ensure that our patients leave the office with a clear understanding of their specific needs, what the treatment will consist of and how long it will take. Also, we will answer any additional questions. If you find that this extra consultation appointment is not possible, an option that Dr. Crotty offers is to carry this out from the comfort of your own home using internet based communications software to link to his office.
At your first appointment, it would help you greatly if you could provide us with any dental X-rays taken within the past six months.
As Orthodontics is Specialist Dental Treatment it is very important that the teeth & gums are clean and healthy, and that they have been checked and assessed by your own Family Dentist within the last six months. It is equally important to keep up regular dental check-ups with your family dentist throughout your orthodontic treatment.
New Patient Forms
You may access the following forms to assist us with your care. Please print and fill out the following forms, then bring them to your appointment.
*These forms require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. If you do not have Adobe Reader already installed on your computer, click the Adobe logo to download.
**For Apple/Mac Users: You must use Adobe Acrobat Reader to submit the forms. To do so, simply right click on the form and save form. Open form in Acrobat Reader, fill out the form and submit.