Your First Visit
We would like to thank you for choosing Alabama Pediatric Dental Associates & Orthodontics. This information has been designed especially for you to help get a better understanding of what will take place at your consultation appointment. We are very excited about meeting you and look forward to helping each patient get a better understanding of what orthodontics can do for them!
- After your initial phone call to either office (Huntsville 256-539-7447 or Madison 256-772-7373) our New Patient Coordinator will make an appointment for your child to see one of our Orthodontist for an orthodontic evaluation. She will also discuss with you the initial cost of the visit. A packet of information will then be mailed to you.
What to expect at your first visit?
- When you arrive for your visit you will be greeted by a member of our orthodontic team. She will ask you for the Health History Form that was mailed to you prior to your visit and your insurance card (if available).
Then Step One will begin.
Step 1- Digital Photographs
A series of 8 digital photos will be taken using cheek retractors and mirrors. Taking pictures with cheek retractors looks similar to the example below:When all the photos have been taken they will look similar to the example below:
Step 2: Dental Radiograph (X-Ray)
This diagnostic film is needed for the doctors to assess the overall health of the teeth. It will help in diagnosing any missing or impacted teeth, potentially troubling areas (like wisdom teeth or bone loss), along with the relative amount of growth remaining for that individual and severity of the problem. The X-ray’s that we take are digital to better reduce the amount of radiation exposure.The x-ray will look like this: (Pictures coming soon!)
Step 3:
You will then be taken to our Consultation Room where the orthodontic exam will take place. The orthodontist will review your x-ray, the digital photos and do an oral exam. After evaluating he will discuss specifics of your necessary treatment including how long and when to start. You will then have the option if you would like to continue and begin the process of orthodontic treatment for your child.If you would like to begin, the orthodontic assistant will take another Dental Radiograph (X-Ray)
The X-Ray will look similar to this: (Pictures coming soon!)
The final step is to take impressions (or molds) of your mouth so that the doctor can have accurate models of your teeth for measurements and views that are not possible during the exam. Impressions of your mouth will look similar to this:
Note: In more complex cases, our orthodontist may want to obtain more records before the treatment plan is presented. In those cases, a separate consultation will be needed.
- Finally, the part that you have been waiting for ----- fee and payment options will now be discussed! . We know how important this part is, so please take the time to ask questions.
- The last thing is to set a date and time for your child to begin his/her orthodontic treatment.
Thank you for choosing Dr. Paul Sproul and Dr. Kevin Tesseneer! We hope to make this a unique and wonderful experience! We look forward to meeting you and starting on what is sure to be a great adventure.
WELCOME ABOARD !