Welcome to Moffett & Walley Orthodontics! We know that taking the first step towards improved oral health is a big decision, and we’re excited to help you achieve a confident smile starting with your first orthodontic visit. Our practice offers patients of all ages across Jackson and Madison a variety of affordable treatment options, world-class care, and superior results.
It’s normal to feel a little nervous about what comes next, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the orthodontic process. We appreciate your trust in our team and want you to feel completely confident in your treatment plan! To learn more about what you can expect from your initial consultation with us, keep reading below.
What happens during an orthodontic consultation?
Your consultation will be one of the most important visits you have with our team. We pack a lot into this appointment, so plan to spend about an hour with us. This gives us plenty of time to get to know a bit more about each other, perform an oral examination, discuss any concerns you have about your smile, and answer all your questions.
When you arrive for your appointment, you’ll be warmly welcomed and introduced to some of our talented team. After we give you a quick tour of the office, we’ll take a look at your medical and dental histories. A big part of this initial visit is to determine what treatment is necessary to correct any problems we may find.
This starts with taking a set of digital photographs that show your teeth in their current state, followed by a series of X-rays. These images allow us to see what’s happening underneath the surface of your smile—the position and growth of the bones and joints, as well as the teeth that are still below the gum line.
We may also take an impression, or mold, of your teeth. We’ll use this to make an exact replica of the bite, which helps us understand exactly what the problem is and how best to treat it. If we need to do this, we will use digital scanning equipment or ask you to bite down on a soft putty-like material for a few moments. We’ll then be able to make the mold in our lab.
After that, it’s time for your exam! Dr. Moffett or Dr. Walley will perform a careful examination of your teeth and jaws, and may ask some follow-up questions as well. Taken together, this information forms your diagnostic records. This is what will allow us to make a proper diagnosis and finalize our treatment plan for you.
Taking time to understand what your smile needs
Following your exam, we may tell you that everything is fine…or we may recommend treatment. We might advise you to begin right away, or you may have time before treatment becomes imperative. This will depend in large part on the developmental stage of the teeth and jaws along with the severity of the problem. We will sometimes advise you to return for periodic checkups until we determine that it’s the best time to start.
We never want you to feel as though we’re rushing you through your appointments, especially this first one! Whether you’ll be beginning treatment now or later, this is the best time to ask questions about the orthodontic process. We’ll go over the available treatment choices with you, walk you through what to expect at the different stages, and discuss other important topics such as:
- how orthodontic treatment will benefit your smile
- what methods will be used to correct the problem
- whether or not tooth extraction will be necessary
- the total investment required for your new smile
- any payment plans available to you
- the estimated length of treatment
Investing in a healthier smile
At Moffett & Walley Orthodontics, we’re committed to providing our patients with safe, effective, and affordable treatment options. Once you’ve decided on a treatment plan with one of our doctors, we’ll look at the total investment needed for your new smile.
Because every case is different and each patient responds to treatment in their own way, the total treatment costs will always vary from person to person. No worries, though—we’ll ensure you understand exactly what’s included in your treatment plan before moving on to the next part of your orthodontic journey.
While the financial side of orthodontic treatment can be confusing, we do our best to make it as easy as possible to get the personalized care you need. We offer a variety of payment options, including no-interest financing options through our office. We also accept payments by cash, checks, and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.)
If your insurance covers orthodontic treatment, you will receive the benefit of reduced personal costs. Insurance policies vary, we’ll be happy to file your claims for you. Remember that orthodontic insurance is a benefit for you. If your benefits change during the course of treatment, the financially responsible party will be accountable for all charges.
Get a stand-out smile with Moffett & Walley Orthodontics
Your smile is as unique as you are, and you don’t want to trust it to anything less than an expert! Dr. Moffett and Dr. Walley have decades of combined experience providing families throughout Jackson and Madison with beautiful smiles and improved oral health. If you haven’t already scheduled a FREE consultation with us, get in touch today and take the first step towards the smile you’ve always wanted—and the smile you deserve!