Getting Started with Your Madison Wi Orthodontist

Step 1: Your Orthodontist Helps You Get Started with A New Patient Exam

At your first Orthodontic visit, one of our Madison Wi Orthodontists (Dr. Santos or Dr. Rasch) or our Beloit Wi Orthodontist Dr. Runge will complete a thorough Orthodontic examination to determine your Orthodontic needs. Our office generally schedules 30 minutes for this appointment to give the doctor ample time to evaluate the patient, as well as to answer all of your questions. She may request a special X-ray to help her diagnose the problem.

If you are ready to start treatment, your orthodontist will be able to provide you with an approximate cost of the treatment, a timeline for how long it will take, and options for completing treatment. Her treatment coordinator will schedule the series of appointments necessary to get you started and can discuss options for financing your treatment.

Step 2: Your Orthodontist Captures Your Smile Records With X-rays and Impressions

Orthodontic records are the next step towards getting your braces! This appointment is approximately 40 minutes long and will include X- rays, a set of dental impressions, and photographs of you and your teeth. Your Orthodontic records are used to diagnose your orthodontic problem more accurately so that Dr. Santos, Dr. Rasch or Dr. Runge can design a treatment plan specifically for you.

Step 3: Your Orthodontist Will Walk you Through Your Treatment Options at an Orthodontic Consultation

At the orthodontic consultation, Dr. Santos, Dr. Rasch or Dr. Runge will go over all of your orthodontic records and show you examples of braces, Invisalign(R) aligners, and any appliances that may be involved in your treatment. The consultation is scheduled for 30 minutes and includes individual time with the doctor to ask any questions you may have involving your specific treatment. A First Choice Dental treatment coordinator will then go over the financial aspects of the treatment plan, insurance benefits, and payment options. Once you've decided to move forward with treatment, your appointment to get your braces on can usually be scheduled within a few days. Invisalign(R) impressions can usually be taken at the consultation appointment if you desire.

Step 4(a): Meeting with Your Orthodontist To Get Your Braces On!

The appointment to get your braces on takes about 90 minutes. One of our highly trained Orthodontic Assistants will oversee the placement of your appliances and answer all of your questions as she walks you through the entire process from beginning to end. Each bracket is carefully positioned on each tooth by your First Choice Dental orthodontist. Because this is such a critical step in the entire process, your orthodontist and First Choice Dental invest time in the smallest details to achieve the best results. On the day that your braces are placed, you can be sure that every detail has been considered, including bracket positioning, bracket prescription, bracket type, and wire selection.

Step 4(b): Starting Invisalign(R) treatment with the Help of Your Orthodontist

Your impressions for Invisalign(R) treatment leave our office the same day they are taken. These impressions are sent to our Invisalign(R) lab to be scanned and the computer model of your teeth is constructed. From this model, your custom aligners are created.

Once the aligners are received in our office, you are notified by phone and an appointment is set up to bond/glue any small, clear colored buttons/attachments to your teeth. These clear attachments act as your 'braces' and allow us to manipulate the teeth. Your first aligner is inserted and instructions on wear and care are given. Your Invisalign(R) aligners are worn for 22-23 hours of the day and are usually changed every 2 weeks, or as prescribed by your First Choice Dental orthodontist. For more information on Invisalign(R) please see their website at www.invisalign.com

Step 5: Your Orthodontist Helps You Get Your Braces Off and Start With Retainers

You may have been anticipating the end of your Orthodontic Treatment during the last few visits, and now your First Choice Dental orthodontist has said that it is time to get your braces off. Our office will schedule you for the next available appointment. It is important that you make arrangements with your Dentist to have a good cleaning, check-up, and fluoride treatment following the removal of your braces.

Removing your braces will only take us about 80 minutes and you will be pleased at how easy and comfortable the process is. At this appointment, you will be provided with a photo of your teeth before you had braces so you can compare how your beautiful smile looks now! Before you leave the office to show the world your outstanding smile, we will need to take a final set of Orthodontic Records. We will also make you a set of retainers to hold your teeth into their final position. Your First Choice Dental orthodontist will decide which retainer is best for you and she will prescribe a protocol for wearing your retainers. Most patients are advised that they should wear their retainers indefinitely in some capacity. The general rule is "wear your retainers for as long as you want your teeth to stay straight".