Patient Resources
Everything you need to get started at our four orthodontic practices.
Your First Orthodontic Visit
We know getting braces can cause some nerves, especially for our younger patients, so here is a brief overview of what to expect.
If you would like the convenience of doing your first appointment from the comfort of home, please click to go to our Virtual Consult Online! If you’d rather come in-person for your first visit, then please contact us at the location where you prefer to be seen. Find our locations here. During your first visit to Bandeen Orthodontics, our goal is to give you the best experience possible. Whether you need braces, retainers, or other orthodontic care, our team will ensure your comfort and exceed your expectations.
- PICTURES
We’ll take pictures of your teeth and smile. Seeing everything in a mirror can be hard, so looking at your pictures together helps us explain your needs and options clearly.
- COMPLIMENTARY X-RAY IF NEEDED
After our doctors see your pictures and smile, they might recommend an X-Ray for specific reasons. Not everyone needs one at the first visit.
- Talk with our team and review your options You’ll have time to talk with our team about your orthodontic care. We’ll explain treatment options and help you decide which one is best for you.
- Begin customizing your treatment Most of the treatment we provide is custom designed for you. If you’re ready to begin your treatment, we can start the process on the day of your first appointment. We can take X-Rays and create computer models which we will use to create your custom smile.
You don’t need a referral from a dentist to get orthodontic treatment. You can come see us whenever you are ready! A comfortable experience, with expert doctors, awaits.
Financing Options
Orthodontic care varies widely among providers due to differences in equipment, techniques, braces, and treatment philosophies. At Bandeen Orthodontics, we believe in transparency regarding treatment costs, which we discuss during your initial examination.
The cost of your treatment depends on the specific plan that best fits your needs. During your examination, our doctors will explain your personalized treatment plan and explore various treatment options with you. Following this discussion, a team member will provide you with cost details based on the recommended treatment.
During this process, we will help with the insurance claims.
Since each person’s orthodontic needs are unique, it’s not possible to estimate costs without understanding your specific treatment plan. Common treatment options include braces, retainers, Spark® Clear Aligners.
Frequently Asked Questions for Bandeen Orthodontics
All you need to know about orthodontics and our four offices.
- Do you charge for initial examinations?
Nope! There is NO charge for initial visits at Bandeen Orthodontics. If we take an X-Ray at your initial visit, it is also typically complimentary (without cost to you).
- Do you accept insurance? Yes! If you have insurance coverage for orthodontic treatment, we will help you bill your insurance.
- Do you offer flexible payment plans?
Yes! We will help you setup your down payment and monthly payments to a plan that will work best for you. We also offer savings for those who choose to pay in full.
- Do you give family discounts if there are multiple family members receiving treatment? Yes!
- Are retainers provided after braces?
Yes! Retainers will be provided to you when treatment is finished. Also, we’ve figured out how to make it easy to keep wearing your retainers long term. More information about retainers can be found by clicking here.
- Do retainers need to be worn long term?
Yes, retainers have to be worn full time for the first five months after braces or aligners are removed and then at night time for a lifetime. Find out more about retainers by clicking here.
- How often are appointments?
Braces: With braces, it is common to have eight weeks between appointments although sometimes we’ll see you in four weeks.
Aligners with Spark®: With aligners, we’ll often give you a few months between appointments to make it as easy as possible for you and your busy schedule.
Dental Sleep Medicine & Snoring: We hope to finish up your sleep medicine treatment quickly and easily, so most sleep medicine patients will have three quick appointments in a month and then will be seen again about six months later to make sure that everything is going well.
- If we say yes to braces at the initial examination, can be begin treatment that same day?
Yes! The treatment that we provide is customized for you and it starts with making sure that we start with excellent planning. Your treatment starts with taking “records.” In addition to the pictures we’ll take of your teeth and your smile, we’ll take an X-Ray and a scan of your mouth.
The scan allows us to have a computer model of your teeth and allows you to skip old-school, messy, and uncomfortable impressions. With the pictures, X-Ray, and scan of your teeth, we can create your customized treatment; for braces that means custom wires and brackets with a process known as Insignia, while for Spark® that means customized aligners.
Your excellent treatments start with excellent planning. At your next appointment, we’ll place your custom braces or give you your customized aligners.
- Do you charge separately for diagnostic record, X-Rays, or photos?
No. Records, X-Rays, and photos are complimentary.
- Do you offer color for braces?
Nope! We don’t use colors because we care too much about you! The truth is that the colors are used on out-of-date, old braces and they make the teeth harder to clean and they make the braces hurt more.
We use modern braces, known as the Damon System, that are easier to clean. The Damon System braces are designed to hold the wire against the braces without the colored rings. It has been shown that braces with colors are harder to keep clean than the Damon System braces.
The Damon System braces also make it easier to move the teeth, while the colored rings on those old braces make it harder to move the teeth. In other words, taking away the colored rings means that treatment is more comfortable.
For cleaner teeth and less discomfort, we use the Damon System and do not use colors. Learn more about the Damon System braces by clicking here.
- How long are appointments?
A typical appointment will take about 30 to 35 minutes. Some appointments are longer or shorter depending on what you are having done, but we try to tell you ahead of time what to expect with regard to time.
- How long is the average treatment length?
Full set of braces: Our average treatment time is about 12 to 18 months with braces, and 35% of braces patients finish in 12 months or less.
Early Treatment (younger patients) with braces: Average treatment is around 12 months
Aligners with Spark®: Average treatment will be around 12-18 months also.
- Do you treat adult patients?
Of course! One in three of our patients is an adult. We have LOTS of adults who have decided that they want to see a nice change to their smiles! Reach out to us now so we can show you how we can help your improve your smile!
- Can I receive treatment from Bandeen without a referral from my general dentist?
Yes! You can come see us without a referral! We often have people come see us based on referral from their dentists because their dentists appreciate the quality of care and the positive experience that we provide, but we don’t need a referral to see you.
You can call us at any time to setup an appointment with or without a referral from your dentist. Even if you have a referral to a different office, you can still come to see us! We also welcome second opinions. As you may find, not all treatment recommendations are the same.
- Do you see patients for second opinions?
Yes! We also welcome second opinions. As you may find, not all treatment recommendations are the same. It is very common for us to provide a second, third, or even fourth opinion, and we are happy to do so. We will also do our best to explain the differences in treatment recommendations so as to help you make a choice that best fits you and your family. Find out more about our treatment philosophy by clicking here.
Schedule Your Orthodontic Visit
