Expert orthodontic treatment

First visit

Voted #1 Orthodontist 2009-2021 by Charlottesville Family Magazine: Our orthodontists and highly trained team of orthodontic specialists work with every patient on an individual level, designing personalized treatment plans that perfectly suit each patient’s unique orthodontic needs and lifestyle.

Starting your orthodontic treatment

Orthodontic treatment is an investment in your best asset, and perhaps the most exciting part of treatment – second only to finishing your orthodontic treatment – is your first visit to our Charlottesville or Zion Crossroads orthodontic office.

Your first visit to one of our offices in Charlottesville or Zion Crossroads is a time for us to get acquainted, to learn more about your orthodontic situation, and to explore the treatment options available to you. You should expect your first appointment to take about an hour, which will give you time to ask any questions you may have. When you first enter our office, you’ll be greeted by one of our receptionists or patient coordinators, who will take down some initial information to get you into our system. After that, it’s time for a diagnostic exam to find out more about your orthodontic condition.

Planning for a healthy smile

The main part of your first appointment is your initial exam: a comprehensive evaluation to discover the state of your smile, diagnosis of problems with your bite, and help to formulate a treatment plan. We’ll start this exam by taking photographs and x-rays of your teeth, after which you’ll be examined by your orthodontist. We also now obtain digital impressions (scans of the teeth) which provide a 3D model to help us not only plan treatment, but also fabricate any necessary appliances that might be needed.

We will likely be able to make a complete diagnosis during your first visit and start your smile journey that very day! We’ll create a detailed diagnosis and treatment plan to help you achieve your healthy smile.

Online patient forms

For your convenience, we offer online patient forms for children and adults, as well as an online health history form to complete prior to your first visit. Please reach out to us with any questions.

  • Understanding your orthodontic treatment options

    After your exam, we may tell you everything is fine or we’ll recommend some form of orthodontic treatment. We may decide to start treatment immediately or wait until the teeth develop further, monitoring their growth to find the perfect time for treatment. In any case, we’ll discuss your options with you at your first appointment and answer any questions you have about your treatment. While we’re happy to discuss any questions or concerns you have, we’ll go over these specific points during your first appointment:

    • Do I have an orthodontic problem? What is the problem?
    • Can orthodontic treatment help me or my child?
    • What orthodontic treatment methods are best suited to my condition?
    • Is it best to start orthodontic treatment now or wait?
    • Will I need to have teeth extracted for orthodontic treatment?
    • What will orthodontic treatment cost? What are my financial options?
    • How long will orthodontic treatment take?

    In the end, you should leave your first appointment with a better understanding of your orthodontic condition and the options available to you for achieving a healthy smile, whether that be braces or Invisalign®. Over time, you’ll find that orthodontic treatment is an investment in your smile – and the first step is only a call or click away.

Prefer a virtual consult? Text or email today

If you’re interested in a free virtual consult, please text or email us for details. We’ll explain how to send couple of photos of your smile, and we will find a treatment plan that works for you and your needs.

  • Appointment policy

    Appointments are an important part of your treatment as time has been reserved specifically for you. Please arrive on time for your appointment. If you are more than 15 minutes late, you may be asked to reschedule. We request a 24-hour notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. We are aware that unforeseen events sometimes require missing an appointment, and we appreciate your cooperation.