For New Patients

For New Patients Thank you for choosing our office for your complimentary orthodontic evaluation. We hope your visit will be informative as well as enjoyable.

New Patient Exam During the New Patient Exam, our objective is to evaluate the orthodontic needs for you and/or your child. Dr. Giordano or Dr. Lem will perform a thorough examination of your teeth, bite, oral tissues, temporomandibular joints, and discuss potential treatment options. A panoramic x-ray image may be taken at this visit. The doctor will then discuss your concerns and answer any questions you may have. At this visit, one of three outcomes will be determined:

  1. Treatment is indicated now and diagnostic records are recommended
  2. Treatment is not recommended
  3. Future treatment will be needed; however, it should be delayed until further jaw growth and eruption of teeth has occurred (“Recall” status)

Diagnostic Records
New Patient Forms

Before your New Patient Exam, we ask that you fill out and return the Patient Information & Health History form. If unable to return it by mail or fax, please have this form completed and bring it with you along with any insurance information/card to your first visit. Adobe Reader Required

When diagnostic records are recommended, another appointment will usually be scheduled. Records are taken prior to beginning orthodontic treatment to provide us with more information that is not available at the clinical examination. These records allow Dr. Giordano or Dr. Lem to thoroughly evaluate your orthodontic problem, formulate an individualized treatment plan and monitor your progress throughout your treatment.

It takes approximately 30-45 minutes to take the records. The records consist of the following:

  1. Two digital X-ray images:
    • Panoramic image (the entire mouth) — this image is used to see all teeth that are present (including teeth that have not yet erupted into the mouth), the jaw bone, and to evaluate for possible abnormalities of the teeth or jaw.
    • Cephalometric image (side of face X-ray) — this image is used to determine the relationship of the upper and lower jaw bones, the relationship of the teeth, and in children who are still growing, this image provides insight into future jaw growth.
  2. Facial and dental photographs
  3. Impressions — molds of the upper and lower teeth
A fee will be charged for the diagnostic records. However, this will be credited towards the total treatment fee when treatment is started.

Consultation Appointment
If necessary a consultation appointment is scheduled a few weeks after diagnostic records are taken. At this meeting, Dr. Giordano or Dr. Lem will discuss the diagnostic findings, recommendations for treatment, and the proposed treatment plan, and our office staff will review the treatment fee. The fee is determined by the complexity of treatment and the estimated time for completion.

Beginning Treatment
Your initial appointment to place the braces or an appliance on your teeth is approximately 60–90 minutes. After starting your treatment, we will schedule you for periodic adjustment appointments at four- to eight-week intervals which will usually take approximately 15-30 minutes assuming no broken appliances.

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