New Patient Consultation/Examination

We are always excited about meeting new patients. Your initial consultation appointment is an important 30-45 minute visit and will consist of a thorough examination and a discussion of potential treatment options. Dr. Cheng Lun Wang, Dr. Kevin Lee or Dr. Yan Liu will assess your bite and discuss their findings with you comprehensively. They will outline any issues that need to be corrected and the appropriate timing for treatment if it is needed.

We will review your medical and dental history first. During the initial examination, we will address the following questions that cover the basics of orthodontic treatment. We encourage you to ask questions as well.

• Can orthodontics address my dental concerns and condition?
• 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?
• What are my treatment options?
• What appliances will I need?
• Do any permanent teeth need to be removed? And if so, which ones?
• 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. If treatment should be planned at the initial visit, the next appointment will be orthodontic records.

For children who are not ready for treatment with removable or fixed appliances or braces, we will recommend that they enroll in our Pre-Orthodontic Monitoring and Guidance Program, in which we schedule appointments every six months to monitor their dental and skeletal development and growth. There are no fees for these recall visits. Orthodontic care can then be recommended at the appropriate age and stage of dental development.

Orthodontic Diagnostic Records

Orthodontic records include radiographs (X-rays), photographs and a digital scan for study models, all of which are necessary for developing the appropriate treatment plan. We will schedule a consultation appointment as required. Should additional x-rays or consultation with another dental specialist be required, we will inform you at this visit. This approx appointment will last approximately one hour. We want to ensure 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.

Please assist us by providing the following information at the time of your first visit:

• Your main concerns
• Any significant medical history
• Let us know if there has been a panoramic X-ray taken within the past year
• Initiating Treatment

Initiating Treatment

The placement of your orthodontic appliances usually require more time compared to the subsequent adjustment appointments. As we want to ensure proper placement of your appliance and ample time to educate you regarding appliance care and oral hygiene, we schedule these types of longer appointments during the quieter times of the day (late morning, early afternoon) so that our team is able to focus our time on you.

There may be some discomfort in the days following the appliance placement. Your mouth is adapting and teeth are starting to move into their new straighter position. As a result, there may be a degree of tooth tenderness and lip irritation. Every person is unique and thus may feel the adjustment period differently. Should it be necessary, over-the-counter pain relief medications (eg. Tylenol or Advil) can be taken (provided there is no prior history of allergic reaction, please follow the instructions provided by your physician or as outlined on the bottle for weight and age guidelines).

Slight modifications to your diet will be necessary to avoid breakages of the appliance. The “No – No List” outlines the dietary restrictions.

During the course of orthodontic treatment, we strongly recommend that you maintain your regular visits with your dentist for routine check-ups and cleanings.

Active Treatment Visits

No two people are the same, which may be reflected in the number and types of appointment that you require. We do our best to minimize the frequency of your appointments and complete treatment efficiently and reliably with the highest level of care.

Your appointments are scheduled between 4-6 weeks apart, the frequency which reflects your stage in treatment, your appliance, and our need to monitor your progress. At times these appointments may be a close as 3 weeks and as far apart as 10 weeks.

The success of your treatment is partly dependent on you as well. Proper care of your braces or appliance and following the instructions you have been given is critical to finishing treatment as planned and on time.

Our team works hard to ensure you are fully aware of all the procedures you undergo and your progress. We will review with you and/or your child if there are areas that need more attention. We encourage our patients and their parents to be involved in the orthodontic care and ask that you ask questions if you need further explanation or clarity. Questions or concerns will be addressed promptly by a member of our team or by Dr. Cheng Lun Wang, Dr. Kevin Lee or Dr. Yan Liu.

Treatment Completion and Retention

Once the active phase of orthodontic treatment has been completed, the appliance or braces are removed.  A set of appliances or retainers will be made just for you to hold your new fantastic smile in place. Either removable or fixed/permanent retainers are custom manufactured for you depending on your initial dental needs, facial type, and growth pattern. Dr. Cheng Lun Wang, Dr. Yan Liu, and Dr. Kevin Lee will also prescribe an individualized retainer schedule appropriate to your requirements. It is important that you follow the given instructions to maintain the position of the teeth so that they don’t relapse or become crooked.