Let’s do this! Below are a few new patient forms to download. It’s just one way we’re trying to make the process of checking in for your first appointment as fast as a rabbit running after a carrot truck.
Patient Information Form: [DOC] / [PDF]
HIPPA Form: [DOC] / [PDF]
Having trouble opening or downloading the forms above? You can get the Adobe Reader® for free.
Our greatest goal is to give you the healthy, straight, beautiful smile that you’ve always wanted. We understand that choosing to receive orthodontic care is a big decision, and we respect your reasons for wanting to improve the way you look and feel. Our practice will work with you every step of the way to make sure that your orthodontic care is as rewarding as possible. Our practice utilizes the latest technology, offering a variety of safe and gentle treatment options to give you the customized, individual care you deserve.
Your initial consultation will give you the opportunity to meet our team, learn more about orthodontics, receive a complete initial exam, and find out which treatment options will best meet your smile goals.
Woooo hoooo! You’re one step closer to achieving the smile you’ve always wanted. After your initial consultation, we’ll schedule your first appointment to get started. Your first official appointment typically takes about an hour. During this appointment our team will make sure you’re as comfortable as possible and smiling by the end of your visit.
We like to keep an eye on our smiles in progress. That’s why we’ll schedule appointments with your orthodontist every 4 to 6 weeks. This helps us track your progress and make any adjustments so that you get a great smile in the least amount of time. To make your life easier, we’ll work with you to schedule your appointments during the times most convenient for you. All you have to do is let us know what days and times work best for your schedule and we’ll do the rest. So, when you’re ready to schedule your first appointment, just contact our practice and one of our friendly scheduling coordinators will get your name in the books.
We get it. Life happens. If you’re running late or need to reschedule, just let us know and we’ll do everything we can to reschedule you.
It is very important that you continue to visit your family dentist once every 6 months – even during your orthodontic treatment – for teeth cleanings and routine dental checkups. If extra dental care is needed, we’ll be happy to coordinate with your family dentist to make sure that you are receiving the best care possible.
We get it. Investing in your smile is a big deal. That’s why we’re proud to offer several payment plans and accept most insurance plans. We also believe that everyone deserves a great smile. So, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out so that we can help you select a payment plan that will make your budget smile too.
You’ve got braces. Now what? Below are a few tips to help you take care of your braces and your teeth while your smile is transforming.
Don’t worry, you’ll be eating popcorn and snacking on potato chips again in no time! However, before you can start enjoying some of the treats you love, you’ll need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances.
When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever.
If the pain is more severe and doesn’t go away after rinsing, try taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. It is also not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become used to your braces. We would be happy to give you some dental wax that you can put over the braces to lessen the tenderness. If you need some, just let us know.
If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don’t stress! This is totally normal. The reason for this is that your braces have to first loosen your teeth in order to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they’ll no longer feel loose.
The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.
You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain.
Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment process, so be sure to take care of all your appliances. Your teeth and jaw can only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands, headgear, retainer, or other appliances prescribed by your doctor.
Game. Set. Match. We have great news for athletes! You can still play sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment. If you do play sports, it’s recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliance. Let your doctor know if you need help finding the right mouthguard for the best protection.
In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and appliance for damage. If you notice any loose teeth or appliance damage, contact our office right away. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort by applying wax or rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater. Remember, don’t swallow the saltwater.
When you have braces, it’s very important to brush and floss after every meal in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment. If you need help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss, please ask us and we can help you choose the right products for your teeth and your appliance.
Brush your teeth for two minutes after every meal with a soft-bristled, small-headed toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. As an alternative, you can use a powered toothbrush to increase your brushing effectiveness. Brush the outside and inside surfaces of your teeth using small, gentle, circular motions while positioning the head of the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line. Brush your teeth’s chewing surfaces and the inside surface of your front teeth using short, gentle, back-and-forth motions. Pay close attention to the areas around your brackets or other appliances.
Flossing after every meal will help keep your teeth and braces clean, which will also help keep your treatment time on track. To floss with braces, use a floss threader or special orthodontic floss to thread the floss behind each wire. Wrap the ends of the floss around your pointer fingers of both hands, leaving a few inches of taut floss between them. Gently slide the floss between each set of teeth using a back and forth motion. Floss the sides of each tooth beneath the gum line to remove plaque and food particles. Repeat this process until you’ve flossed all of your teeth. If you find that your floss is not removing all of the food particles between your teeth and around your braces, ask us about a water flosser! They’re awesome.
After all the time you spent straightening your smile, you want to keep it that way forever. Wearing your retainer every night, or as directed by Dr. Thomas or any of our other orthodontists, will help you keep the smile looking sweet until you’re 111 – maybe longer.
Pro-Tip: Take your retainer out when eating, and always put it back in its case! Here’s a scary fact, most retainers are lost because someone wrapped their retainer in a napkin and accidentally tossed it out.
True orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur, we’re here for you. As a general rule, you should call the office when you experience severe pain or have a painful appliance problem that you can’t take care of yourself. We’ll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem.
You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you schedule an appointment with our office. When working with your appliances, you need to know the names of the parts of your appliances so you can identify what part is broken or out of place. After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our office as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions to your treatment plan.
When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth, and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in eight ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. Placing Orabase on the affected area may help; this can be found in a pharmacy. If the tenderness is severe, take aspirin or whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain.
The lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to lessen this. We’ll show you how!
If your appliance is poking you, place wax on the offending part of your appliance and call us to let us know.
If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, leave it in place and put wax on it. If the wire comes out entirely, wrap the bracket with a tissue. Then, give us a call so that we can fix it.
Using a tweezer, try to put your wire back into place. If doing this and using wax doesn’t help, as a last resort use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If your discomfort continues, place wax on it. And as above, give us a call.
Using a pencil eraser, push the poking wire down or place wax on it to alleviate the discomfort. If it’s still bothering you, call us.
