Your First Orthodontist Visit

Our goal is to make sure your visit to our office is as comfortable and informative as possible. Your first visit to our office will consist of a preliminary examination, as well as a discussion of any issues and the formation of a treatment plan that will work best for any dental issues that we find. The first visit is crucial to make sure you get the best treatment possible, and will help us evaluate the dental needs of you and or your child.

Help us assure the best treatment possible by bringing the following information with you to your first appointment:

• Any medications that you are currently taking
• X-rays from previous dentists (if applicable)
• Photos of your face and teeth
• Any forms required for your medical and/or dental insurance, along with completed forms in order to save you time when it comes to processing insurance claims.

Let our office know if you have any medical conditions that you think are necessary for us to be aware of before your treatment. Examples of crucial health conditions are diabetes, artificial heart valves or joints, high blood pressure, rheumatic fever, etc.

Missed Appointments: If you cannot make an appointment scheduled at our office, give us a call at Oak Tree Orthodontist at 210-774-4155 in order to reschedule your appointment. By giving us adequate warning as to your reschedule date, you allow another patient to be seen during your time. If you cannot call during our open hours of operation, leave your name and number in your message so we can get back to you about the cancellation and work with you to reschedule your appointment to a better time.

Diagnostic Records and Treatment Plans

If you have any dental issues that require treatment, we will schedule you for diagnostic records. These are study models, photographs, and, if necessary, x-rays, that help your dentist figure out the best treatment for you. Dr. Melendez will review the diagnostic records and come up with a treatment plan that is unique to your dental health concerns. After this, our office will set up an appointment to allow you to ask any questions about your treatment plan, as well as set up arrangements for any financial aid you may need.

Future Visits

Your dental office should be visited regularly to ensure you get the best treatment necessary from your orthodontist. Orthodontic treatments should be scheduled for every 4-8 weeks to ensure your teeth are progressing correctly, and to allow any corrections to be made as needed to ensure the best treatment possible. Keeping your appointments, visiting your regular dentist for cleanings, and following the instructions given by your dentist can help you get the best out of your orthodontic treatments.

After your braces have been removed, you may need a retainer to hold your teeth in place as your gums and bones heal to work with the new dental positions. This time period of wearing the retainer is crucial to making sure your orthodontic treatment lasts, and should not be ignored as that can lead to further treatment issues and alignment problems down the road.

Length of Treatment

Braces may be on your teeth for between 6 to 30 months depending on the severity of the issues, the age of the patient, and the degree of movement offered by the teeth themselves. However, the treatment may take longer depending on the cooperation of the patient and other factors.

Dental Care

Prior to any orthodontic treatment processes, your dentist should ensure the health of your teeth and gums, as well as make sure you are free of cavities and periodontal disease. This ensures the success of any orthodontic procedures you may have.

If deemed necessary by Dr. Melendez, your dentist or oral surgeon will remove any teeth that need to be extracted for orthodontic treatment and bite correction. It is also important to continue cleaning and cavity treatments while undergoing orthodontic care. Orthodontic is made to work with your family dentist, not in place of, so it is crucial to continue visiting your regular dentist.

Give our office a call at 210-774-4144 if you have any questions about you or your child’s treatment. The timing of your orthodontic treatment is crucial, and as such a consultation will help us be better equipped to assess your dental needs before creating a treatment plan.