Office Visits
Consultations
We are always excited about meeting new patients during their first visit to our office. Your initial appointment will consist of photos and an x-ray, a thorough examination by one of our doctors and a discussion of potential treatment options. This important one hour visit will give us insight into your orthodontic needs. We know your time is valuable, so to expedite treatment, we may also reserve time following the exam for diagnostic records. The records include an additional x-ray and impressions for study models and are necessary for developing the appropriate treatment plan. This additional appointment will last approximately 30 minutes.
During the initial examination for each patient, we will address the following questions that cover the basics of orthodontic treatment. We encourage you to ask questions as well.
-
Is there a condition that orthodontics can address?
-
Is treatment needed now or should treatment be delayed until appropriate growth, tooth eruption or other factors have occurred?
-
What treatment procedures will be used to correct the problem?
-
Do any permanent teeth need to be removed?
-
How long will treatment take?
-
How much will it cost?
-
What are my payment options?
While we can often answer these general questions about treatment during the initial examination, we will address specific areas after careful analysis of the diagnostic records. We feel it is important to analyze each patient’s specific needs, because in-depth planning leads to superior results and higher patient satisfaction.
Following our inital examination, we insist that our patients leave the office with a clear understanding of their specific needs, what the treatment will consist of and how long it will take. Also, we will answer any additional questions.
Please assist us by providing the following information at the time of your first visit:
-
Any panoramic X-ray taken within the past six months.
-
If you have orthodontic insurance, bring your insurance card. By providing this information at the first visit, we will be able to give you an estimate of your costs.
Proper Braces Care
You’re on your way to a better smile! To ensure your treatment’s efficiency and effectiveness, take good care of your braces. Damaged appliances may prolong the process, but consistent wear of prescribed rubber bands, headgear, or retainers will help your teeth and jaw move as quickly as possible.
Food Do’s and Don’ts
Especially in the first few days when your teeth and mouth are sore, watch out for hard, crunchy, or chewy foods. Eating nuts, popcorn, and bagels could cause damage to your appliance and should be substituted for softer foods that are easier on your mouth.
Dairy foods such as soft cheese and pudding are great ways to snack with braces. Go wild with grains like pasta, rice, and pancakes, or veg out with steamed greens and beans. Ice cream (without nuts!) and milkshakes make for soothing treats, especially on sore days. Feel free to pack a lunch meat or soft-cooked chicken for your afternoon meal. Really, there’s no reason for foodies to fear—so long as foods are relatively soft and easy to chew, you’re good to go.
Soreness
You can expect temporary soreness within the first few days of braces—your mouth will gradually adjust to the appliance, dissolving any braces-caused pain. For relief, you can swish and gargle one dissolved teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water, making sure not to swallow the saltwater. If this doesn’t do the trick, try using a pain reliever.
The inside of your mouth, including lips, cheeks, and tongue, will take one to two weeks to toughen up. If irritation occurs, feel free to ask us for wax that you can put over your braces as a buffer between the appliance and your mouth.
Don’t worry if your teeth feel loose—that’s part of the process of moving them. Once they’ve been repositioned by your braces, they will no longer feel loose.
Loose Wires and Bands
If your wires and bands come loose, please contact us so we can make necessary repairs as soon as possible. Be sure to bring any fallen pieces with you to the appointment.
For loose wires, push them back in place with the back of a spoon or a hard eraser for a temporary fix. If the wires irritate the inside of your mouth, use wax to cover the sharp edge.
Sports
We advise the use of mouth guards to protect your teeth and appliance during athletic activity. If you run into a serious predicament, check for any harm done to your mouth or your braces, and contact us if you notice loose teeth or appliance damage. Use the aforementioned saltwater technique to relieve discomfort or wax to prevent potentially sharp pains.
Cleaning Your Teeth With Braces
Brushing and flossing are essential steps to maintaining healthy teeth and gums throughout your treatment. Doing so after every meal ensures removal of food particles or plaque build-up that could cause problems in the long run.
Brushing with Braces
Using a soft-bristled, small-headed toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, brush your teeth for two minutes after every meal, making sure the to keep the brush’s head at a 45 degree angle to your gum line. (A powered toothbrush is an effective alternative brush.) Use small circular motions on the outside and inside of your teeth, and move the brush back-and-forth on all chewing surfaces and on the inside of your front teeth. As you do this after every meal, you might start to notice common areas where food gets stuck—focus your attention on your brackets or other appliances that could be trapping pieces.
Flossing with Braces
This can initially seem challenging, but using a floss threader or special orthodontic floss makes sliding floss behind each wire easy. Hold floss taught by wrapping the ends around your pointer fingers, leaving a few inches in between to work between your teeth. Use a back and forth motion between each tooth, making sure to floss both sides beneath the gum line. If this process still leaves bits of food behind, ask about water flossers that could work better around your brackets.
Financial / Insurance Information
Financial
It is our mission, at Aloha Orthodontics, to provide you with affordable, high-quality treatment that fits your budget! We offer a variety of payment options to meet your needs including payment in full, and interest-free, monthly payments. Accounts paid in full before treatment begins will receive a 5% discount. All monthly payment plans are interest-free and are flexible based on type and length of treatment.
For your convenience, we accept payments by cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards. We also offer lower monthly payments with financing available through Lending Point and Care Credit.
If you have any questions about financing or payment, ask us! We will thoroughly explain your choices and work hard to accommodate your needs.
Insurance
If your insurance covers orthodontic treatment, you will receive the benefit of reduced personal costs. Many insurance policies have a lifetime orthodontic benefit that is distinct from regular dental insurance. Insurance policies vary, so we will review your insurance to maximize the benefits available. Once treatment has started, we will file your claims as a courtesy to you.
To help us with your insurance filing, please provide a copy of your insurance card or insurance information at your next appointment.
Please remember that orthodontic insurance is a benefit for you or your child. If during the course of treatment, your benefits change, the financially responsible party is accountable for any remaining charges.
Preparing for Your Visit
-
Please complete and New Patient Information Form
-
If you have Dental Insurance, please upload your insurance card so that we can verify your benefits in order to provide an accurrate treatment breakdown of costs
