At the first appointment, Dr. Ulrich will examine you or your child and will take specific notes. Following this, she will explain the nature of the orthodontic problem and will make suggestions concerning both treatment necessity and timing.
If treatment is warranted at this time, Dr. Ulrich will request Diagnostic Records, which consist of:
- A panoramic X-ray: a full view of the jaws and all teeth.
- A cephalometric X-ray: a profile head X-ray.
- Photographs: both facial and intra-oral.
- Orthodontic study models: plaster replicas of the teeth.
Diagnostic records can be taken at the initial appointment when time permits or, if the parent/patient chooses, a records appointment can be scheduled for a later time. The fee for the diagnostic records is paid at the time they are taken. This fee includes the diagnostic records, analysis of the records by the doctor and a consultation appointment during which findings and a treatment plan are presented. Diagnostic records must be analyzed before an accurate diagnosis, treatment plan, treatment length estimate and fee structure can be derived.
If treatment is not warranted at this time, the patient may be placed on a recall schedule. Dr. Ulrich will indicate when the patient should return (usually a period of months or years), so that treatment can be timed to make optimum use of growth and development.
Frequently Asked Questions
- At what age should parents consider having their child evaluated by an orthodontist?
- Dr. Ulrich typically sees children for a first visit between the ages of 8 and 11.
- Problems can sometimes be identified as early as age 6 or 7.
- It’s always better to see children too early in dental development rather than too late. Problems are often more easily corrected early, before all of the baby teeth are lost, and some problems, such as an underbite, cannot be corrected after age 9 or 10.
- We have a system for recalling patients on a yearly basis so that if a patient is not ready for treatment when they initially visit the office, we can evaluate him or her periodically and initiate treatment at the optimal time.
- Do patients need a referral from a dentist to see an orthodontist?
- No referral is necessary. Anyone who has a concern about the alignment of their own teeth and jaws or a child’s teeth and jaws can contact our office directly to make an appointment.
- The family dentist can also identify problems and make a referral if necessary. Dr. Ulrich works very closely with all of the area dentists to help patients receive the best overall dental care possible. We’re very fortunate in our area to have excellent general or family dentists who can help patients and parents identify orthodontic problems.