Your First Visit

At the first visit to the orthodontist, you will meet with Dr. Wentz for a new patient consultation. We will take digital photographs of your teeth and a digital panoramic x-ray (if we did not receive a recent one from your family dentist.) Dr. Wentz will review your medical/dental history and perform a clinical examination. After this initial appointment, Dr. Wentz will inform you if you are a candidate for orthodontic care or if he recommends allowing additional time for your teeth to develop.

Diagnostic Records

If you are ready to begin orthodontic treatment, we will take diagnostic records. This information is collected to determine the best course of treatment. Complete diagnostic records typically include plaster study models of the teeth or scan, photos of the patient's face and teeth, and X-rays. With the addition of our new Itero intraoral scanner, study model impressions are usually not required. This information is used to develop a custom treatment plan for each patient. These records are also helpful in tracking the progress of treatment as the teeth move under orthodontic care.

Regular Appointments

The appointment when you get your appliances (braces, expanders, etc.) usually takes from one to two hours. You'll then see us at regular intervals 8-12 weeks apart for an adjustment, which takes 20 to 40 minutes. We understand that many parents prefer after-school appointments; while we make every effort to accommodate your scheduling needs it is not possible to have every appointment outside of school or work hours. We appreciate your understanding in advance. We make every effort to be on time for our patients, and ask that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify us immediately. Cancel only if it is an emergency. It is difficult to reschedule you since most appointments are made 4 to 8 weeks in advance.

Payment & Office Policies

Cost

The cost of treatment depends on the severity of the patient's bite. You will be able to discuss fees and payment options before treatment begins. We have payment plans to suit different budgets, and we review this information at your initial visit at your office. We also accept assignment from most insurance plans, and file the necessary papers to the insurance company. We work hard to make orthodontics affordable.

Fees

In an effort to keep orthodontic fees down while maintaining the highest level of professional care, we have established this financial policy:

• If full payment is made at the onset of treatment, we will offer a fee discount. (If you have insurance, we will offer a discount for payment of your portion of the fee that will not be covered by insurance.)
• To fit your individual needs, financial arrangements can be made to extend your payments over a period of months.
• For your convenience, we accept payment by VISA and MASTERCARD.
• In cases of serious delinquency, treatment will be discontinued, although we will make every effort to accommodate patients with temporary difficulties.

Insurance

If you have insurance, we will help you to determine the coverage you have available. We ask that you assign your insurance benefit to us. The balance will be arranged for you to pay (see above). Professional care is provided to you, our patient, and not to an insurance company. Thus, the insurance company is responsible to the patient and the patient is responsible to the doctor. We will help in every way we can in filing your claim and handling insurance questions from our office on your behalf. However, if your insurance company declines payment for any reason, the benefit balance will become your responsibility.