Welcome to Artistic Orthodontics

Your Initial Visit
	During your initial visit, your Orthodontist will examine the general condition of your jaws and teeth. Afterwards, the following will be discussed:

	Problems involved and possible causes
	Reasons for necessity of the treatment
	Best time to start the treatment
	Tentative treatment options and modalities
	Approximate length of the treatment ( 6 - 36 Months )
	Fees and financials plans
	And most important of all, this is the time to get to know each other

AND BEST OF ALL, IT IS FREE.
If treatment is not necessary at this time, we will set you up for a recall appointment to come back at a future time for a re-evaluation as needed. Download The Health History Form for your first Visit
You can print and fill out the Health history form prior to your initial consultation Appointment:
Health History Form


You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader, BEFORE you can download and print the forms in PDF format. The Acrobat Reader software, including instructions for installation, can be downloaded for free from the
		Adobe Systems website

Financial:
You are offered a wide verity of different payment options based on your financial planning. Considering your convenience, Orthodontic insurance coverage or any pre-tax self funded company programs, we help you in setting up the most practical and best monthly payment plan for you. We offer different avenues such as in office or outside financing. We process Visa, Master Card or Discover at your convenience. Automated bank withdrawal from your checking or saving can also be set up for you.
Insurance:
We accept most insurance. We take care of the authorization, insurance billing and processing. Should you have any questions regarding any specific insurance coverage, please call us. We will be happy to check your coverage and eligibility.


	Getting Started:

It is best to have a cleaning and a check up with your general dentist prior to starting your treatment. To get started with treatment a series of diagnostic records needs to be taken. Once that is done, at the consult appointment, these records will be reviewed and treatment plan is formulated. At separator appointment the separators are placed. Financials, insurance coverage and payment plan arrangement is also confirmed and finalized. Usually, two or more of these steps could be combined together and reduce the number of visits necessary prior to starting treatment.

	Diagnostic records typically consist of specialized orthodontic x-rays, facial and dental photographs and study models. These records help Dr. Zaghi to confirm the clinical findings at the initial exam and finalize the formulated treatment plan. Specialized orthodontic x-rays and facial and dental photographs are taken at an orthodontic x-ray lab. Impressions for the study models are taken at our office. There is a charge for the diagnostic records.
	Conference / consult appointment will be scheduled once all the records are available. At this appointment x-rays are reviewed, treatment plan is discussed and finalized. This is a good time to further discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
	At separator appointment, separators are placed between the back Molar teeth, so bands can be placed on them on the following appointment. Sometimes this short appointment is combined with either the Conference or Bonding appointment to save your time.

Starting Treatment:

Your start of treatment would include two appointments for Bonding and Banding. Sometimes both appointments are combined in one. At this time, if extraction of teeth was planed, a referral to your general dentist will be generated indicating the teeth needed to be extracted.

	Bonding appointment:
	At this appointment the Brackets are placed on your teeth with a special type of bonding material. You would not need to be anesthetized for this appointment. There is NO pain or drilling involved on this appointment.

	Banding appointment:
	At this appointment the Bands are placed on your back molars. The bands are cemented on your teeth with a special dental cement. There is NO pain or drilling involved at this appointment either.

During Treatment:

During your treatment you will be seen on a regular basis. The intervals between your appointment could range from two to twelve weeks depending your treatment plan. At the beginning you might experience some discomfort in adjusting to braces. Some soreness is normal. You can find some hints on how to handle some of the common situations in helpful hints section. REMEMBER that the degree of success of your treatment is almost always a reflection of a your cooperation and help during your treatment as well as your retention period. Active patient participation is always essential for the success of treatment.

End of Treatment:

At the end of your treatment the braces will be removed and retainers are placed. There are different type of retainers. The most common type of retainer is a removable retainer which is made out of wires and acrylic. They are custom fabricated for the purpose of retaining and holding the new position of the teeth. Your teeth need to stabilize while the bone builds up around them. In cases where the retainers are removable, the degree of it's success is entirely dependent upon the patient's wear and care.

After the braces are removed, most patients must wear their retainers all the time ( 24 / 7 ) for the first twelve months to avoid any shifting of your teeth. Then, if everything seems to be stable, per your orthodontist evaluation, the wearing time will be reduced gradually to night time. Retainers are an essential part of treatment. If you neglect them, your teeth may shift too much and your retainers may have to be replaced or even re-treatment with braces become necessary..

Your retainer should be worn ALL the time except when eating, brushing, participating in contact sports, or swimming in a lake (or ocean) where they could not be retrieved. When your retainers are not in your mouth, they should be kept in the case in a safe place. Do not leave your retainers on top of a table where they can get knocked off or in a pocket where they may be easily cracked. Keep them away from dogs as they love to chew them if given the opportunity.

At the beginning, your retainers will feel bulky. your speech may be effected. Sometimes they will cause a slight lisp. However, if worn regularly, speech usually returns to normal in a few days.

The day after you receive your retainers your teeth may be a bit sore. This won't last long. The tissue on the roof of your mouth may become a little tender. You should get used to this in two to three days.

When you are eating away from home, be sure that you NEVER, NEVER wrap your retainers in a paper towel, napkin or tissue. This is the most common way of losing them. ALWAYS put them in the retainer case.

Your retainers should be cleaned after each meal and before going to bed. We realize that while in school you may not be able to clean them, but please do so as soon as possible after school. Retainers can be cleaned with your regular toothbrush and toothpaste. You may use a denture brush and denture toothpaste if you wish. Fill the sink with water to cushion the fall in case you drop them. Do NOT use hot water as it will cause distortion of your retainer. Clean retainer gently. Be careful not to bend the wires. Before placing the cleaned retainers in your mouth, be sure you thoroughly brush your teeth. If the retainer or teeth are not kept clean, an irritation of the gums may result and this can be serious.

If you are not careful with your retainers, they may crack, break or the wires may become bent. If a small piece of plastic breaks off, this is usually not serious and you can smooth the retainer with a fingernail file. If a larger piece breaks off, it may be necessary to remake the retainer. If your retainer cracks or breaks in half, DO NOT attempt to fix it as the glue you use might be poisonous.

A wire or clasp may become bent so the retainer doesn't fit or is too tight. Don't try to fix this yourself. In any of the above cases, you must call the office. Retainers are made to withstand normal use, but they crack or break if handled roughly. Some patients have a habit of clicking the retainers up and down with their tongues. Doing this will cause the loosening of the retainer. Other ways that retainers break include stepping on them, putting them in pockets, dropping them, etc. If your retainers do break, be sure to bring in the pieces to your appointment. Please keep retainers away from anything hot like the stove, heater, dashboard of the car, etc. as heat will cause distortion.

If your retainers are lost or broken, not fitting properly, needs adjustment, or a new tooth is coming in or you feel your teeth may be moving, call the office soon and consult your orthodontist. Don't take a chance with a new set of BRACES.