What to Expect During an Initial Orthodontic Consultation

By Nelson Hu | Published on November 28, 2011 | 0 Comments

Prior to beginning an orthodontic treatment involving metal braces or Invisalign, all patients must undergo an orthodontic consultation. These consultations are extremely important, explains Dr. Nelson Hu of New Smile Orthodontics in Tracy, California, because they give the orthodontist a way to determine which course of treatment is going to work best for the individual patient.

At his office in Tracy, the orthodontist says all consultation appointments start out with the patient filling out a health history sheet. Dr. Hu recommends that children come in for their first consultation appointments beginning around age seven, so it is not uncommon for parents to be the ones filling out their children’s health history sheets in his office. For even faster service, Dr. Hu says that patients can download health history forms from his office’s website and fill those forms out ahead of time. This cuts down on the amount of time that people spend filling out forms in the waiting room and speeds up the consultation process considerably.

Once the health history sheet has been filled out and handed to one of Dr. Hu’s staffers, it is usually time for the exam. During the exam, the Tracy orthodontist will take a full set of teeth x-rays. Additionally, he will also take a complimentary set of panoramic x-ray images during the exam in instances where that is indicated.

When the x-rays have been taken care of, Dr. Hu will have a clearer idea of what he is working with. He will then do a thorough exam, taking the time to look at the patient’s teeth and how those teeth come together to form the bite in his or her mouth. Based on the findings of that exam, as well as the x-ray images and the health history of the patient, Dr. Hu will make a recommendation on whether or not the patient is a good candidate for orthodontics.

If an orthodontic treatment is recommended, then Dr. Hu will discuss the cost of the treatment and which payment options are available. This price information is always important for patients to find out about before making any decisions, and Dr. Hu wants his patients to be as informed about the entire process as possible.

If a patient is not quite ready for orthodontic treatment, then Dr. Hu will put him or her on an observation list. The patient will then be monitored for the next six months or one year, depending on age. During that time, the Tracy orthodontist will monitor the patient’s development to make sure the teeth are coming in and developing in a timely manner. A follow up orthodontic exam will then be scheduled when it looks like the patient is closer to the age in which a treatment would be necessary.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children come in for orthodontic evaluations by age seven, and the Tracy orthodontist says that is a good guideline to keep in mind for the first orthodontic check-up. Even though some children may not have obvious dental alignment issues, it never hurts to bring them in for checkups just to be sure.

*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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