First Visit

The first time you visit our office you will receive a "new patient" evaluation. There is no charge for this visit. We will review your medical and dental history; take some pictures and perhaps an x-ray. Dr. Symonds will check your facial symmetry, profile, smile, jaw joints (TMJ), your teeth and bite and your x-rays.

After this evaluation Dr. Symonds will discuss his findings and areas of concern with you. He will recommend one of four options:

• The first possible option is that no treatment is needed. In this case, the patient has a good bite, a nice profile with the jaws aligned, healthy teeth and gums, and good jaw joints.
• The second possible recommendation is that treatment will be needed, but it is too early to start. Dr. Symonds will recommend a Recall examination, usually in six months, to check growth and development of the teeth and jaws.
• A third possibility is that early limited Phase I treatment is needed. This early treatment is usually for younger children and often involves limited braces and growth appliances for 18 to 24 months. The purpose of Phase I is to treat those problems that are easy to correct with growth, expansion and tooth guidance at an early age.
• The fourth possible recommendation is Comprehensive orthodontic treatment. This usually requires 18 to 24 months of full braces on all the permanent teeth and may utilize other appliances to completely correct the bite. It is followed by a period of retention.