Office Visits
New Patient Exam
Thank you for choosing our office for your Complimentary Orthodontic Consultation. We hope your visit will be informative as well as enjoyable.
During the New Patient Exam, our objective is to evaluate the orthodontic needs for you or your child. Dr. Gangoy-Leonard, or Dr. Fraser will perform a thorough examination of the 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:
- Treatment is indicated now and diagnostic records are recommended
- Treatment is not recommended
- Future treatment will be needed; however, it should be delayed until further jaw growth and eruption of teeth has occurred (“Recall” status)
The consultation will take approximately 30 minutes. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your appointment time to fill out the Health History Form or to print and fill out the appropriate form at home and bring to your appointment click HERE. Please also bring in your insurance card.
Diagnostic Records
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. Gangoy-Leonard or Dr. Fraser 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:
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.
Facial and dental photographs
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. Gangoy-Leonard or Dr. Fraser 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 60–120 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.
--See Office Policies for additional information on dental visits, appointments, and financial arragements.--
