First Visit
During your complimentary 60-minute consultation, we’ll give you a tour of our office, introduce you to the team and take digital X-rays and photographs. Dr. Martines will conduct a thorough examination and discuss potential treatment options. This important extensive visit will give us insight into your orthodontic needs. The following questions will be covered during your visit:
- Can my teeth be fixed with braces or Invisalign®?
- Is treatment needed now or should treatment be delayed until appropriate growth, tooth eruption or other factors have occurred?
- What treatment procedures will be used to correct your problem?
- Do any permanent teeth need to be removed?
- How long will treatment take?
- How much will it cost and what are my payment options?
Insurance & Finance
Our office is committed to helping you maximize your insurance benefits. Because insurance policies vary, we can only estimate your coverage in good faith but cannot guarantee coverage due to the complexities of insurance contracts. As a service to our patients, we will bill insurance companies for services.
It is our mission to provide you with high-quality treatment that fits your budget. We offer a variety of payment options to meet your needs.
If you have any questions about financing or payment, ask us! We will thoroughly explain your choices and work hard to accommodate your needs.
The cost of your orthodontic treatment may vary depending on your individual needs and treatment plan. We offer more flexible payment plans than many orthodontic offices. During your visit we’ll discuss the cost of your treatment and each of your available payment plan options with you, so you are able to make the best choice. We will work with you to create a payment plan that fits your budget, and you will know what to expect before beginning treatment.
Many PPO dental plans have a lifetime orthodontic benefit that is distinct from regular dental insurance. Insurance policies vary, so we will review your insurance to determine any available benefits. Please make sure you give our treatment coordinator as much information as possible about your insurance when you schedule your initial exam. We can bill PPO policies on your behalf, reducing your patient responsibility.
Our practice accepts most major credit cards and insurance plans; plus, we offer affordable third-party financing options through CareCredit. With third-party financing, you can:
- Start treatment immediately
- Enjoy low monthly payments
- Finance up to 100% of the treatment cost
- Choose between several payment options
- Pay no costs upfront
- Pay no annual fees
New Patient Forms
You can save time at the office by completing these forms before arriving.
After Hours Care
A true orthodontic emergency is:
- an injury or other trauma to the mouth, teeth, or the face;
- facial or gum swelling;
- severe, unmanageable pain in the mouth or face.
Orthodontic accidents like loose braces and poking wires can be irritating and frustrating, but as long as you come in during the next few days to have them fixed, you or your child is not at risk for any adverse impacts on your treatment.
Most orthodontic problems can be remedied at home. While you await your appointment, these guidelines will help you resolve minor problems.
Don’t worry about losing a separator, but call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.
Your teeth may feel sore right after you get your braces and sometimes after you have an adjustment appointment. To alleviate the discomfort, you may take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or other non-aspirin pain relievers.
The lips, cheeks and tongue may become irritated as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces and wires, or when you have a poking wire. Prompt relief may be achieved by applying a small amount of topical anesthetic (such as Orabase or Ora-Gel) directly to the ulcerated surface using a cotton swab, or rinse with lukewarm saltwater. You can also put wax or small pieces of cotton on the braces to lessen the discomfort.
You can use a pencil eraser to push the poking wire, or place wax on it to alleviate the discomfort. Orthodontic wax is available at most drugstores. If the discomfort continues or the poking wire is severe, contact us for an appointment to have it examined and repaired.
You can use tweezers to try to put the wire back into place. If doing this and using wax doesn’t help, use a nail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If your discomfort continues, place wax on the wire tip. Then contact us for an appointment to have it examined and repaired.
If your appliance is partially loose, place wax on the part that is bothering you. If it is out of the mouth, save it. Either way, contact us for an appointment to have it examined and repaired.