your first visit
Your first consultation is really nothing to worry about. The orthodontist will perform a clinical exam, make some notes and discuss when the best time to start possible treatment is.
Your first visit is nothing to worry about
The clinical exam is not painful at all and the doctor just uses two little mirrors to check your teeth and bite. It would be a great help if you download and complete the two forms before you first visit (link to downloads)
If the time is right for orthodontic treatment, we will require orthodontic records. These records are needed to confirm clinical diagnosis and for the doctor to write a report and give a written quotation. The records usually include:
Clinical photos (face and teeth)
X-rays (PAN and Ceph)
Moulds to make study models
The clinical exam is not painful at all and the doctor just uses two little mirrors to check your teeth and bite. It would be a great help if you download and complete the two forms before you first visit (link to downloads)
If the time is right for orthodontic treatment, we will require orthodontic records. These records are needed to confirm clinical diagnosis and for the doctor to write a report and give a written quotation. The records usually include:
What happens after the records have been made?
It usually takes the doctor a week or two to analyse the records and write a treatment plan. The treatment plan and quotation will be e-mailed to you or sometimes a discussion appointment is arranged. Treatment will only start once everyone is happy with the plan, and the quotation has been accepted and signed. Please feel free to ask any question regarding your treatment plan or quotation.
Importantly, certain medical aids require pre-authorization before we start any treatment – please make sure this is order before we start otherwise your medical aid will decline payment of the treatment.
Fitting the braces
To have you braces fitted is a morning appointment and only takes about an hour. Braces are fitted in the morning to minimise time away from school as the follow up appointments are scheduled in the afternoons. To fit the braces is not painful. After the braces are fitted, we will give you proper oral-hygiene instruction, show you how to take care of your braces and tell you what foods to avoid when you do have braces.
Clear aligner therapy
For the adult patient who chooses to have clear aligner therapy the process is slightly different. After the quotation has been accepted an appointment will be scheduled for the special moulds to be made. This will be done with special impression material or an intra-oral scanner. The aligners will then be produced and placed a few weeks later.