Most people arrive at a first orthodontic appointment slightly braced for a sales pitch. It is a reasonable expectation given how the industry often works, so it is worth saying plainly what this visit is: an examination and a conversation. Nothing is decided on the day.
Your first visit
It takes about an hour, and it covers four things:
Your history. We review the dental and medical forms — you can fill them in ahead of time if you would rather not do it at the office. That way, when you arrive, all you have to do is check in, sit back and relax.
A full examination, with X-rays. This is what establishes whether treatment is actually needed. Sometimes it is not, or not yet, and we will tell you that. For a seven-year-old the answer is frequently “let’s watch this for a year”, which is a perfectly good outcome.
A digital scan, if one is useful. Two or three minutes, radiation-free, no putty. You see your own teeth in 3D on the screen — which is when the conversation usually becomes concrete, because we can point at the thing we are discussing rather than describe it.
The money. Total cost, what it includes, your insurance benefit and payment options. All of it, at the first visit, before you commit to anything. See financial information.
Ask whatever you want. We would rather spend twenty extra minutes now than have you agree to something you did not fully follow.
If you decide to go ahead
We schedule the appointment to fit your appliance. That one runs about an hour, and we make sure you leave knowing how to look after it — what to eat, what to avoid, and what to do if something comes loose at nine at night. Our life with braces and emergency care pages cover the same ground for when you are at home.
Regular appointments
Roughly every four to eight weeks through treatment. These are shorter, and they are where the actual progress happens — adjusting the wire, checking the teeth are tracking to plan, changing elastics.
Both of the orthodontists here are board certified. This is a deliberately small, low-volume practice with two doctors, not a rotating roster — so you are seen by someone who knows your case rather than re-explaining your history each visit. At a larger practice this is often not the case, and it is worth asking about wherever you go.
We schedule around your life where we can — tell us which days and times work and we will do our best. If you are running late or need to move an appointment, call us. Life happens; we would rather rearrange than have you skip.
Keep seeing your dentist
Every six months, as usual, right through orthodontic treatment. Braces make some surfaces harder to clean and regular cleanings matter more than usual while you are wearing them. If you need extra dental work during treatment we will coordinate with your dentist directly.
Practical details
Our office is at 738 58th Street, #1 FL, in Brooklyn — between 7th and 8th Avenues in Sunset Park. We are open seven days a week, which helps if weekdays are difficult. We speak English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Full address, hours and directions on our office page, and photographs on the office tour.
Call (212) 966-9628 or request an appointment — and if you are not sure whether you need one yet, call and ask. That conversation is free and often saves a visit.