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Our objective is to make sure your visits with us will be pleasant and informative. Your initial appointment will consist of an introduction to the typical treatment options for your particular problems. This appointment will include a thorough examination and a discussion of potential treatment options. This evaluation and these treatment options will be provided to you, at the end of this appointment, in a written report. |
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We will also have one of our office managers discuss financial arrangements at this appointment.
Please assist us by bringing the following to your first visit:
 A completed registration form (this can be downloaded from this website, printed out on your printer, and completed at your leisure).
If you have a PANOREX, or PANORAMIC XRAY, that is not more than 3 months old, please bring this with you. If your dentist does not have this machine, or has not taken this xray, then we can obtain this for you in our Pueblo office.
A completed dental insurance form. This can be downloaded from this website, printed on your printer, and completed at your leisure, or you may simply complete a registration form when you come to our office for the first appointment.
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If you are well-versed in a typical orthodontic sequence, and you are eager to start your treatment, please be sure that you have had a cleaning and a fluoride treatment, within the past 3 months. We want to be certain that your dentist has had the opportunity to diagnose and treat any decay, decalcification, dental, and periodontal (gum and bone tissue) problems before we begin your treatment.
Please alert the office or make sure that you complete the appropriate sections in the registration forms regarding any medical condition that may be of concern (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, artificial heart valves and joints, rheumatic fever, etc.) or if you are on any medication (i.e. heart medications, aspirin, anticoagulant therapy, etc.).
CHANGING YOUR APPOINTMENT TIME:
If for some reason you cannot keep your scheduled appointment, please contact our office at 719-564-3333 (toll free: 800-548-6675). By doing so you allow another patient to use that time as well as reschedule your appointment.
If you are interested in beginning treatment, and if time permits, we may proceed with obtaining Diagnostic Records (photographs, molds of the teeth, measurements, and necessary xrays) at this Initial Visit. Otherwise, we will obtain these Diagnostic Records at your next appointment.
DIAGNOSTIC RECORDS
If it is determined that treatment is indicated, you will be scheduled for diagnostic records. These records usually consist of study models (molds of the teeth), diagnostic photographs and orthodontic x-rays. Once these orthodontic records have been obtained, Dr. Stringert will review and analyze them. Generally, these records do nothing more than confirm the findings of the initial visit. Occasionally, however, an undiscovered anomaly, such as an impacted tooth, or a periodontal problem, will be found. We want you to have these anomalies addressed, and cared for, as a part of the orthodontic treatment plan. If you desire to have VISUALIZED TREATMENT OBJECTIVES, to answer, for example, the question of "what will I look like?" if a given treatment option is employed, then we would encourage you to have Dr. Stringert utilize our specialized VIDEO IMAGING computer program that will give you a visual view of the approximate results of the various treatment options available to you.
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SUCCESSIVE VISITS
Periodic Visits are an important part of orthodontic treatment. Once your braces are in place, we will generally want to see you every 3-8 weeks to check your progress and make adjustments to your braces. If you have an appliance such as an expander, we may want to see you in 1-2 weeks. You may have noticed that, with the modern braces, wires, and supplies that are now utilized, more treatment is actually accomplished during the interval between appointments. In addition, this interval between appointments has increased, over the years, to allow these modern materials to be fully utilized.
During this time, you will need to keep appointments, follow instructions, take good care of the appliances in your mouth, and practice good oral hygiene and diet control. We also strongly encourage you to reduce your cleaning interval, with your family dentist, from once every 6 months to once every 4 months, while your braces are in place.
LENGTH OF TREATMENT
Braces may be on between 6 months to 30 months, or longer depending on the age of the patient, the severity of the problem, the patient's cooperation, and the degree of movement possible.
A FINAL WORD ON TREATMENT AND CONSULTATION
Please contact our office if you have any questions. The timing of your treatment is very important. You or your child may or may not be ready for treatment, or perhaps only a limited treatment may be required. A consultation will allow us to better understand your needs. |
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