New Patient Information

What to Expect as a New Patient

First, the Records and Separators Appointment (about 30 minutes): First, we take photos of your teeth, bite, face and profile. Secondly we take x-rays or your skeletal profile structure.  Another x-ray we take is called a Panorex if not already done at an earlier appointment.  The Panorex allows Dr. McCombs to view all of your teeth including teeth that have not yet emerged. The final procedure for this appointment is placing the separators or "spacers" between your upper and lower back molars. They will make room for the rings to go around your molars that will act as the "anchors" for the orthodontic system.  We may also take impressions of your upper and lower teeth to make a plaster "study model" or "before model" .  


Then, one day, or one week later will be the Braces Appointment (about one hour) which is always a morning or early afternoon appointment.  This is where Dr. McCombs will actually place your braces.  First, we fit the necessary molar bands.  If an expander will be used, an upper impression will be taken.  Dr. McCombs then cements the bands to the back molars.  Then we will prepare the remaining teeth to be bonded and place the braces.  We use a fluorescent light to cure the glue and set the braces.  Arch wires are then placed on the braces and you can choose plain or bright colors for the Os which hold the wire to the braces.

Lastly, a special hygiene kit will be presented and thoroughly explained.  We will review foods to avoid and show your proper brushing techniques.  We will ask you to schedule an appointment 4-8 weeks out for your next adjustment appointment, or 1-2 weeks out if you will be getting an expander.

Treatment is All-Inclusive

At McCombs Orthodontics the treatment fee is all-inclusive without any hidden costs.  The treatment fee includes:

• Diagnostic Records
• All Braces and Appliances
• Adjustments
• Office Visits, including emergency visits
• Removal of the Braces
• One Set of Retainers
• Retainer Observation visits

Scheduling Appointments

Most people seeking orthodontic treatment have important obligations during the day.  We realize taking time off from work or having a child miss time from school is a great concern for the majority of our patients and parents.  Adjusting braces at regular intervals is necessary to insure progress toward our mutual goal - a great smile and healthy teeth.  Missed appointments will slow down treatment progress resulting in a longer time in braces.

Braces can be damaged during normal function, but many times the damage is due to misuse.  Playing with braces, eating the wrong foods and poor home care can all delay treatment and compromise the results. 

It is our desire to be flexible and accommodate our patients' schedules as much as possible.  We appreciate your consideration with the appointment schedule.

Insurance

Please understand that your orthodontic coverage involves a contract between you and your insurance company or union.  Therefore, our primary financial relationship is with our patients or their families and not with the insurance company.  Orthodontic coverage differs from regular dental insurance in that each insured individual usually has a lifetime maximum.  Charges for lost or broken appliances (including retainers) are usually not covered.  We are happy to file and collect any orthodontic benefits available in your dental plan.  (For replacement retainers, we are happy to provide your with a completed claim form so that you can submit it to your insurance company for reimbursement.)  If your employer has a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Spending Account (HSA) or cafeteria plan, you may want to take advantage of it for you your orthodontic needs.  Read more about Orthodontic Insurance Here (word document).

Financing

Our easy in-office payment options include a discount for payment in full, and a down payment, no-interest monthly payment plan.

See the links below for other financing options. These programs offer both short-term interest-free loans and longer term interest baring plans. Availability is based on your credit eligibility. The major difference in these options and our in-office payment plan is that they do not require a down payment to begin treatment.

Care Credit

Sterilization Techniques

Routine orthodontic treatment does not ordinarily include invasive procedures, which means there are no needle injections.  However, knowing that the universal precautions for infection control are being followed should reassure you that Dr. McCombs and his orthodontic team have your health and safety in mind at all times.  For this reason, we protect our patients against avoidable health risks by utilizing the best safety and sterilization methods available.  In our office the following methods are in use for infectious disease control:

• Ultra Sonic cleaning of instruments to cleanse instrument surfaces more thoroughly and more efficiently than by hand.
• After the instruments have been cleaned, they are sterilized by one of the following three methods.  These methods kill the microscopic organisms capable of causing diseases: 1) Heat Sterilization - prolonged dry heat at very high temperatures   2) Autoclave sterilization - steam under high pressure   3) EPA-registered liquid chemical immersion in chemical sterilants.
• We supply individually wrapped disposable toothbrushes for our patients
• Gloves are worn for all patient treatment procedures and are changed for each patient, then thrown away
• Puncture resistant containers are used to dispose of all sharp items.