At your first appointment we want everything to go smoothly and make you feel comfortable. We will answer most all of your questions and concerns before doing a comprehensive orthodontic examination. It is here that Dr. Fadem will inform you if you could benefit from orthodontic treatment.

We would like to answer all your questions concerning the exact fee for treatment, but without the necessary x-rays, photographs, recordings, and models the best we can give is a rough estimate.

TYPES OF ORTHODONTIC PROBLEMS

Inherited problems include crowding or spacing of the teeth caused by a difference between the size of the jaws not matching the size of the teeth or different inherited growth patterns from the parents. Missing or extra teeth are also inherited.

Acquired problems can be caused early loss of baby teeth, decay, gum disease, injury of teeth, airway obstruction, bad tongue positioning, or thumb sucking.

Both acquired and inherited problems affect not only the teeth alignment, but facial appearance, speech, and ability to chew. It is important to note that behind a perfectly acceptable smile can be a bad orthodontic problem.  An orthodontic specialist like Dr. Fadem is especially qualified to diagnose existing or future potential problems that will require treatment.

Every parent wants their child to have a beautiful or handsome smile, the orthodontist wants every one of their patients to have  terrific smile, and also properly functioning: speech, chewing, and comfortable resting positions. Here it really applies: "an ounce of prevention  is worth a pound of cure".

THE IMPORTANCE OF TREATMENT

Untreated orthodontic problems can lead to conditions that can induce gum disease, decay, bone loss, loss of teeth, and jaw joint problems. "Penny wise and pound foolish," really applies to letting things get worse. Orthodontic problems can affect the abiltiy to sing, and affect overal general health, and loss of: self respect, confidence in smiling, and self esteem.

Any child with a beautiful smile has a positive effect on teachers, friends, family members, as well as giving a child an increase in confidence, self esteem, and a benefit to her or his general well being. In fact, the value of a good smile is priceless.

BENEFITS OF AN ORTHODONTIC SPECIALIST

A  specialist has studied more about moving teeth and guiding facial jaw growth, and there is only one chance at modifying your childs growth during treatment.

Orthodontists limit their practices to orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics unless they have qualified in another American Dental Association (ADA) recognized specialty. By completing an advanced education program following dental school, they have learned the special skills required to guide facial development, and manage tooth movement.

WHAT ARE THE STEPS FOR TREATMENT?

When the time is right for treatment, we will gather orthodontic diagnostic records to include, photographs of the teeth and face, special x-rays, and study models will be made from molds taken from the teeth.

Once the records are reviewed by Dr. Fadem a consultation appointment is made, where we will work together on tailoring a custom treatment plan to your greatest benefit.

WHAT IS A CONSULTATION APPOINTMENT?

After Dr. Fadem has carefully reviewed the diagnostic records and designed a treatment plan that is especially tailored to you and your specific problem(s) we will schedule a consultation appointment. In it we will discuss:

           When should we start treatment, and why then or now

           What treatment should done

           Why treatment is needed, what might happen if treatment is not done.

There may be several options in approaching the same set of problems (example, clear vs metal braces), if we can agree on one course, then we can give you the exact fee, and we can start treatment at the next appointment.