Before You Arrive

We’ll typically ask you to fill out some basic health history and insurance information ahead of time, either online or when you check in. If you’ve had recent dental X-rays taken by your general dentist, it can help to have those sent over in advance, though we’re equipped to take our own if needed.

The Initial Exam

Once you’re in the chair, the visit usually starts with a visual exam of your teeth, bite, and jaw alignment. We’re looking at things like crowding, spacing, how your upper and lower teeth meet, and any signs of jaw tension. For many patients, we’ll also take a set of digital scans or photos, a fast, comfortable process that gives us a detailed 3D picture of your mouth without the need for old fashioned goopy impressions.

Discussing Your Concerns and Goals

This is the part of the visit we consider most important, and it’s easy for it to get rushed at practices moving quickly through a full schedule. We want to know what brought you in, whether that’s a crooked tooth that’s always bothered you, a dentist’s referral, jaw pain, or simply curiosity about your options. Understanding your actual goals shapes the recommendation we make.

Reviewing Your Treatment Options

Based on the exam and scans, we’ll walk you through what we’re seeing and the treatment paths available. That might include traditional braces, clear aligners, early interceptive treatment for a growing child, or in some cases, no treatment needed at all yet, with a recommendation to check back in a year or two as permanent teeth continue coming in.

We’ll be specific about estimated treatment time, what a typical course of appointments looks like, and we’ll answer any questions about the day to day experience of wearing braces or aligners.

Talking Through Cost and Payment Options

Before you leave, we’ll go over the cost of your recommended treatment plan, what your dental insurance covers if applicable, and the monthly payment plans available. There should be no surprises here. We want you to leave with real numbers, not a vague estimate.

No Pressure to Decide That Day

A good first consultation gives you enough information to make a confident decision, not pressure to sign paperwork on the spot. Take the treatment plan home, talk it over with your family, and reach back out with any follow up questions whenever you’re ready.

Bringing a Child to Their First Visit

If you’re bringing in a child, know that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by around age seven. That’s not because most seven-year-olds need treatment right away, but because it’s early enough to catch developing issues while there’s still room to guide growth. Many children who are evaluated this early simply get monitored with periodic check-ins until they’re ready for full treatment, if it’s needed at all.

Ready to Schedule?

Whether you’re exploring options for the first time or coming in for a second opinion, your first visit to our Midtown Phoenix practice is designed to be informative, unhurried, and pressure free. Schedule a consultation with us, and we’ll walk you through exactly where things stand and what your options look like.