No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet many other patients contact our office directly to schedule an examination.

Any age is appropriate if there are orthodontic concerns. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening is age 7. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition.

At the initial appointment the doctor will conduct a thorough examination and answer any questions you may have. We will cover questions such as:

• Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?
• What must be done to correct the problem?
• Will any teeth need to be removed?
• How long will the treatment take to complete?
• How much will the treatment cost?

Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 4 to 6 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.

Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled 4 to 6 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school due to their orthodontic treatments. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.

Yes. We understand your busy schedule, and we are happy to help you make the most of your time. On some occasions, we may request to speak with a parent when they return, so we ask that parents check in with the front desk before dropping off their child.

Yes. There is no reason to miss school because of an orthodontic appointment.