What’s included in an orthodontic evaluation? | Caudill & Mcneight Orthodontics

What’s included in an orthodontic evaluation?

November 15, 2022

Sometimes the hardest part of beginning orthodontic treatment is the first step- making the appointment!

There are many reasons families may put off scheduling their initial exam, but our patients often say they wished they had done it sooner.

Occasionally time is the issue. Adults and familes have busy lifestyles and it’s a challenge to find the time between responsibilities and “me-time”. Other times the question of “how much” stops you from finding your dream smile. With the uncertainty there, we don’t blame you! This is why we offer free initial exams and are always transparent about the personalized smile plan we create for you.

Here’s what’s included with every initial exam at Caudill & McNeight Orthodontics!

Everything included in your initial exam

When you visit us for the first time, you’ll be able to meet our doctors and staff and get a feel for our practice. We pride ourselves on having a family-friendly and inviting atmosphere, because we want you to coast into your new smile – feeling comfortable and informed.

Once your initial appointment begins, you meet with one of our friendly technincans for a few digital x-rays and diagnostic photos. These help our doctors get the complete picture of your teeth and jawbones which are both important when you’re looking to straighten your teeth or fix multiple orthodontic conditions.

Then either Dr. Caudill or Dr. McNeight (our two highly-experienced orthodontists) will perform a thorough oral examination, chat with you about your reasons for visiting, and find out your smile goals.

Now that everyone has gotten to know each other, our doctors will walk you through the treatment options available for your custom smile plan. Which may include –

Self-ligating braces (metal or clear)
Or Invisalign® clear aligners

If you’re ready to start transforming your smile that day, we can do that too! As Same Day Orthodontists, our team is prepared to get your braces on the same day as your exam so you can start seeing your teeth and bite straighten before your eyes.

Choosing to rock Invisalign for your smile journey, means your exam will also include a 5-minute digital scan of your teeth and gums using our advanced intraoral scanner, iTero. Then your digital smile file is sent straight to Invisalign labs so they can start creating your custom clear aligners.

In the case of early orthodontic exams, our orthodontists will also address if it’s the right time to begin correcting your child’s smile and bite. All children should have an orthodontic evaluation at age 7 to see if they are in need of treatment or if more time is needed for their smile to mature.

How long will my orthodontic exam take?

Your orthodontic exam will take approximately 45 minutes to an hour. This visit gives us valuable insight into your orthodontic health and smile goals while giving you an idea of how much treatment with us would cost and what it will look like.

Our doctors and team also welcome any questions or concerns you may have about your orthodontic conditions, our technologies, or the treatment options available to you. We make the time to answer all your questions – because knowledge is power and your comfort is our goal. Here’s a few common questions, we get and cover with each of our new smile starters.

Is treatment needed now, or should it be delayed until appropriate growth, tooth eruption, or other factors have occurred?
What procedures can be used to correct the problem?
How long will treatment take?
What are the cost and payment options?

Is there a condition that orthodontics can address?

Orthodontics can treat and address a variety of unhealthy bites, or malocclusions (as our ortho experts say).

Dr. Caudill and Dr. McNeight are trained and experienced in treating over dozen orthodontic problems, such as…

Overbite
Underbite
Overjet
Gapped teeth
Crooked teeth
And more!

What can I do to prepare for my orthodontic exam?

Wondering what’s the next step after scheduling your complimentary consultation with us? We love that you’re so excited to begin coasting into your dream smile!

Once our team receives your appointment request, we’ll send you our new patient forms electronically. Go ahead and fill those out digitally and make a note of any questions you may have from them. (These forms are also available in the main menu of our website, just select “Patient Resources” then “Patient Forms“.)

When you coast on in for your initial exam, you should also bring a valid ID (such as a Driver’s License or military ID), your current dental insurance information, your referral (if you’ve been referred by your general dentist), and a list of questions you may have.

Is it really free?

Yes! Your initial consultation and orthodontic exam are completely free. And there’s no obligation to begin treatment after your exam. We want you to be excited and informed when you make the decision to say “yes” to orthodontic treatment so we’ll never push you into treatment.