Office Visits
| For our patients, there is probably no more exciting appointment than the appointment for the removal of braces—the end of treatment! For us, there is no more exciting and important appointment than our first one with you—discussing the beginning of your or your child’s treatment! We truly enjoy talking with new patients about their orthodontic concerns, and discussing treatment possibilities. We understand that each patient comes to us with different orthodontic problems, aesthetic goals, and expectations about treatment. We set aside quite a bit of time at your first visit, at least an hour, to gather important diagnostic information and discuss all aspects of your orthodontic care. Setting up your first appointment is easy — just call us at 831-475-5500 and we will be happy to assist you! Or, if you'd like us to contact you instead, just click on this link and complete the information so we may call you the next business day. Please allow about 5-7 minutes for the initial phone call, as we want to exchange some important information with you to help make the examination appointment as productive as possible. Prior to your visit, you will receive a letter and a couple of forms from us that we'd like you to fill out. The actual registration form will be included in this informational packet but you can get a head start on it by clicking on this link and printing the form out. This important information will allow Dr. Joiner to review basic medical/dental information regarding any past or current conditions that may affect your orthodontic diagnosis and future treatment. We will contact your dentist prior to your visit to request any X-rays or other information which may help Dr. Joiner discuss your orthodontic situation with you. As a courtesy to you and your dentist, your initial consultation appointment with our office is complimentary. After being welcomed by our friendly front desk staff, you will meet Victoria, our New Patient Coordinator, and given a brief tour of our office. Victoria will take a set of facial and intraoral digital photographs and a digital panoramic X-ray (unless your dentist has already provided a recent one to us) to make the diagnosis more complete and to better allow Dr. Joiner to help you understand the nature of the orthodontic problems. You'll receive a copy of these photographs and X-ray to show all your friends and family! Dr. Joiner will perform a very complete examination of the teeth, gums and smile to determine exactly what functional and aesthetic orthodontic problems are present. If treatment is indicated, Dr. Joiner will explain the nature of the orthodontic problems and present a treatment plan that is appropriate for your specific situation. Dr. Joiner is good at speaking "plain English" so you really understand the orthodontic problems as well as the treatment approach! Dr. Joiner will also discuss expected duration of treatment along with any treatment or appliance options that may be available. Victoria will then further discuss Dr. Joiner's findings and treatment plan with you, and will provide you with an examination report. You and Victoria will also discuss the treatment fee as well as payment and insurance options, and you can schedule the next appointment(s) at that time. If orthodontic treatment is not yet needed, we will be happy to monitor future growth and development changes with complimentary observation visits. A referral from your dentist is not necessary — you may set up a consultation visit with us whether or not you and your dentist have discussed orthodontics. We look forward to meeting you soon! |
