Your First Orthodontist Visit
Our objective is to make your visits with us pleasant and informative. Your initial appointment will consist of an examination and a discussion of potential treatment options. It’s an easy visit and we’ll address your orthodontic concerns, goals, and needs. To save you valuable time and office visits, we can usually provide treatment plan options at this first visit.
Please assist us by providing the following information at the time of your first visit:
- Any x-rays (if applicable)
- A list of medications you are presently taking
- If you have medical or dental insurance, bring the necessary completed forms. This will save time and allow us to help you process any claims.
- Completed online or printed patient registration forms.
Please alert the office if you have a medical condition that may be of concern (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, artificial heart valves and joints, rheumatic fever, etc.) or if you are on any medication (i.e. heart medications, aspirin, anticoagulant therapy, etc.)
Our Appointment Policy
Office hours are by appointment. We realize that your time is valuable, and make every effort to honor your appointment commitment. Except for emergency treatment for another patient, we will do everything possible to be prompt.
If you are unable to keep an appointment, we request that you kindly give us 24 or more hours notice. This courtesy makes it possible to offer your valuable appointment time to another patient.
Our schedule is designed to be fair and to equally benefit all of our patients. There are certain appointments, thirty minutes or longer, which require an appointment earlier in the day. The vast majority of all orthodontic appointments are shorter appointments which are generally scheduled after 3 p.m., unless you prefer an earlier visit. We realize that your work and school schedules are important and we will limit these longer appointments to the smallest possible number.
In Case of An Emergency
Dr. Virgulti is available to you for any true orthodontic emergency 24 hours a day through his paging service. Our office phone message provides our service number if we are out of the office when you call.
Successive Visits
Periodic visits are an important part of orthodontic treatment. Generally, we schedule appointments every 4 to 8 weeks based on your individual needs. Also continue to visit your dentist regularly.
Once treatment is complete, retainers are utilized to hold your teeth in their new positions until your bone, gums and muscles adapt to their new positions. This retention period is an important part of your overall treatment.
Length of Treatment
Treatment may last between 6 months to 24 months or longer depending on the age of the patient, the severity of the problem, the patient’s cooperation.
Dental Care
Before any orthodontic treatment, your family dentist should make certain that your smile is healthy and ready for orthodontic care. Your family dentist should also schedule cleaning and cavity checkup visits during your orthodontic care.
