What to Expect
Your First Visit
At your first visit, Dr. Markham reviews your medical/dental history and performs a clinical examination to determine your orthodontic needs. She will advise you of any problems, the necessary corrective treatment, and the estimated length of treatment. She will answer any questions you have regarding treatment. A staff member will also review the cost and financial arrangements with you at the end of this appointment.
Your Second Visit – Diagnostic Records
If treatment is needed, diagnostic records will be taken to enable Dr. Markham to study the problems and determine the ideal corrective treatment. Diagnostic records include plaster study models of the teeth, photos of the patient's face and teeth, and X-rays. This information is used to develop a custom treatment plan for each patient. These records are also helpful in tracking the progress of treatment as the teeth move under orthodontic care.
Consultation
After the doctor has evaluated your records, we discuss your treatment with you in detail.
Regular Appointments
The appointment when you get your appliances (braces, expanders, etc.) usually takes from 1 to 2 hours. You will then typically see us at regular intervals 4 to 8 weeks apart for an adjustment, which typically takes 20 to 30 minutes. Our regular office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from roughly 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We also have Tuesday hours which vary week-to-week. Plus we have Saturday office hours from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, once or a month. Patients are seen by appointment only. We usually run on time for our patients, and ask that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify us immediately. Cancel only if it is an emergency. It can be difficult to reschedule you since most appointments are made 4 to 8 weeks in advance.
Cost
The cost of treatment depends on the severity of the patient's problem. You will be able to discuss fees and payment options before treatment begins. We have payment plans to suit different budgets, including a no-down-payment option. We also accept assignment from most insurance plans, and file the necessary papers to the insurance company. We work hard to make orthodontics affordable.
Payments
In an effort to keep orthodontic fees down, while maintaining the highest level of professional care, we have established this financial policy:
- If full payment is made at the onset of treatment, we will offer a fee discount. (If you have insurance, we will offer a discount for payment of your portion of the fee that will not be covered by insurance.)
- To fit your individual needs, financial arrangements can be made to extend your payments over a period of months.
- For your convenience, we accept payment by Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.
- In cases of serious delinquency, treatment will be discontinued, although we will make every effort to accommodate patients with temporary difficulties.
Insurance
If you have insurance, we will help you to determine the coverage you have available. We ask that you assign your insurance benefit to us. The balance will be arranged for you to pay (see above). Professional care is provided to you, our patient, and not to an insurance company. Thus, the insurance company is responsible to the patient and the patient is responsible to the doctor. We will help in every way we can in filing your claim and handling insurance questions from our office on your behalf.
