It’s exciting when you finally take the first step towards straightening your smile with orthodontics. You’ll not only be improving your appearance, your oral health will benefit, as well. However, this is also a big step, so it can feel a little overwhelming in the beginning, particularly if you aren’t familiar with the orthodontic process. You may not know much about the treatment options or what to expect in the days and months ahead.
Here at Dudley Smiles, we know that orthodontic treatment is an investment across the board, and we take the trust you place in our practice seriously. We always want you to feel informed about and confident in the care that we provide, and that begins with your initial visit to our Issaquah or Kent offices! Let’s take a look at what you can expect from this free consultation, and what will happen afterwards.
Your first visit at a Dudley Smiles office
You’ll always be greeted warmly when you visit our office! For your first visit, we’ll take extra special care of you. We’ll show you around the office, introduce you to some of our team, and then you’ll meet Dr. Dudley. Following this, we will take some digital photographs of your teeth, along with a panoramic and cephalometric x-ray if necessary. These images are the best way for us to see your teeth, jaws, and facial soft tissue, so we can ensure everything is growing and progressing the way it should be.
Once he’s reviewed these records, Dr. Dudley will join you in a private consultation room to point out any specific areas of concern and explain what you can expect from treatment by showing you photos and videos of similar cases. He will then present you with your customized treatment plan and walk you through the process. Depending on the developmental stage of the teeth and jaws, it may be best to begin treatment right away, or at a later time. Whether you’re planning to start treatment now or later, this is the best time to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
To ensure you fully understand the orthodontic process, during this appointment our team will cover:
- any oral issues you’re experiencing
- if treatment is needed immediately
- what treatment options are available to correct the problem
- if any teeth will need to be removed
- an estimate of how long we expect your treatment to take
- the total investment required for treatment
- any payment or financing options we have available to you
At Dudley Smiles, we take an individualized approach to treatment, which means we consider your specific needs, lifestyle, and goals when working out a treatment plan for you. This method allows us to produce superior results and a rewarding orthodontic experience for each and every patient we treat!
Investing in a healthier smile
After you decide on a treatment plan with Dr. Dudley, we’ll go over the investment needed for your new smile. The total treatment costs will vary from case to case, but we’ll break down all the applicable fees for you before any treatment actually begins.
At Dudley Smiles, we don’t stop at flexible appointment scheduling and flexible treatment options. We also offer flexible payment options! We never want cost to be an obstacle to you obtaining the orthodontic care you need, so we offer discounts to patients who pay in full at the front end, and we will also work out monthly payment plans to fit every budget. If you have insurance that covers orthodontic treatment, we’ll file your claim for you and help you maximize your benefits.
The next step in your orthodontic journey
Once your initial consultation is complete, we’ll schedule an appointment for you to come into one of our offices and receive your orthodontic appliance! Depending on the type of treatment, you’ll then have follow-up appointments with us every 6-10 weeks or so. During these visits, Dr. Dudley will adjust your appliance if necessary, monitor the movement of the teeth, and check to be sure that everything is progressing the way it should be.
These visits are an essential part of your orthodontic treatment, so it’s important that you keep them. We do our best to schedule appointments for a day and time that’s convenient for you, we know that life happens, too, and you may sometimes need to reschedule. If you’re running late or can’t make your appointment for any reason, we simply ask that you let us know as soon as possible. We’ll be happy to reschedule your appointment for another day in order to keep your treatment on track!
Your best smile is waiting for you at Dudley Smiles
Your smile lasts forever, so it’s important that you put it in only the best hands. That’s exactly what you get when you choose Dudley Smiles as your orthodontic team! Our expert team has been busy creating beautiful smiles for patients in Issaquah, Kent, and the surrounding communities for many years. The innovative techniques and cutting-edge technology we use allow us to deliver the very best results for you in the shortest amount of time possible. We also use only the most necessary and efficient treatment for your specific needs to give you a personalized and rewarding experience at each and every visit.
Orthodontic treatment is one of the most important investments you can make for yourself or your family. Would you like to know more about how orthodontics can benefit you or your family? We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch with us today to schedule your FREE exam and get ready to take the first step toward the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve!