Your First Visit

Your First Steps With Schmitt Orthodontics

Your first appointment will consist of a complimentary exam and a discussion of potential treatment options. This important visit will address the orthodontic needs of you or your child.

What You’ll Need:

Any X-rays (if available). A set of photographs and panoramic x-ray will be taken if needed.
A list of medications you are presently taking.
Bring your dental or medical insurance information. 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, bisphosphonate therapy, etc.)

If it is determined that treatment is needed additional diagnostic records will be obtained, as required. These records usually consist of diagnostic photographs and orthodontic x-rays. We will determine a specific treatment plan for your orthodontic needs. Our staff will review your treatment plan, set-up financial arrangements as well as all necessary appointments to begin your orthodontic treatment.

Braces may be on between 6 months to 30 months, or longer depending on the age of the patient, the severity of the problem, the patient’s cooperation, and the degree of movement possible.

Periodic Visits are an important part of orthodontic treatment. Generally, we will want to see you every 4-8 weeks to check your progress and make adjustments to your braces. During this time, you will need to keep appointments, follow instructions, as well as practice good oral hygiene and nutrition.

It is important that all patients continue to see their general dentist on a regular basis for checkups and cleanings.

Once your braces are removed, retainers are used to hold your teeth in their new positions until your bone, gums, and muscles adapt to the new teeth positions. This retention period is an important part of your overall treatment and should not be neglected!

Before any orthodontic treatment, your family dentist should make certain that all cavities have been treated and your gums and underlying bone are free from periodontal disease.

If necessary, your dentist or an oral surgeon will remove any teeth that we prescribe to correct your bite. Your family dentist should also schedule cleaning and cavity checkup visits during your orthodontic care. We would like to reinforce the need to keep your regular visits with your family dentist because we are only an aid to your family dentist and not a replacement.

Since some problems are best addressed with early intervention, treatment timing is very important. A consultation is the only way to adequately determine the best time to start treatment. If treatment needs to be delayed, the patient will be monitored on recall. Please contact our office if you have any questions.