Your First Visit
Welcome to Berger Orthodontics! We are delighted to have you and look forward to starting your journey toward a healthier, more beautiful smile. Here’s what you can expect during your first visit to our office.
Upon arrival at Berger Orthodontics, please notify our friendly receptionist. We strive to make your experience as smooth and pleasant as possible. For your convenience, we offer an online health history form that you can complete before your scheduled appointment. This helps us gather necessary information ahead of time, ensuring a seamless check-in process.
During your first visit, we will take comprehensive diagnostic records to assess your orthodontic needs accurately. These records typically include photographs, a 3D scan, and a personalized growth study workup. This detailed evaluation allows Dr. Michael Berger to determine the best course of orthodontic treatment tailored specifically for you.
Dr. Berger will conduct a thorough clinical orthodontic examination and personally explain all aspects of the proposed treatment. The initial examination is designed to answer several key questions:
- What sort of orthodontic problem is present, if any?
- When is the proper time to begin treatment?
- What type of treatment is indicated?
- How long will the treatment take?
- How much will the treatment cost?
If orthodontic treatment is indicated at this time, we will schedule an appointment to begin treatment. In some cases, and if time allows, we can even start treatment during your initial visit. Our treatment coordinator will discuss the treatment fees and various payment options with you during this visit to ensure that orthodontics is affordable and fits within your budget.
To get started on your path to a perfect smile, contact us to schedule your free consultation. We can’t wait to welcome you to our office and provide you with exceptional orthodontic care!
Patient Forms
To save time at your first appointment, please take a moment to fill out our new patient paperwork prior to visiting our office. If you have any questions about the forms, please don’t hesitate to contact our team!
Financial Info
The cost of your orthodontic treatment may vary, depending on your individual needs and treatment plan. Dr. Berger and his team will discuss the cost of your treatment and each of your available payment plan options with you, so you are able to make the best choice for yourself and your smile. We will work with you to create a payment plan that fits your budget, and you will know what to expect before beginning treatment.
Your smile is yours forever, and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to receive the best orthodontic care whenever you need it. Our office team is always available to file your insurance claims and paperwork for you if you have insurance that covers any portion of your orthodontic treatment. For your convenience, we accept most major credit cards, ACH, cash, and checks for payments.
Common FAQ
No. As a courtesy to you and your family dentist, we will always discuss the feasibility of braces or tooth straightening without charging a fee for the initial consultation.
As a rule of thumb, we like to evaluate young patients after the 6-year molars erupt, and the front permanent teeth just start to appear. This is usually between the ages of 6 and 8. The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that all children be seen for the first time by age 7.
The purpose of early evaluation is to inform and observe, more than to start treatment. At this early age, the eventual needs may be identified and discussed. A small percentage of this young group may need some form of intervention. Habits are evaluated, medical issues are discussed, and an observation schedule is arranged until the patient is ready to begin treatment.
The first visit can last anywhere between 30 minutes and 1 hour depending on how ready the patient is for treatment. We may just do a visual exam and explain the situation, or we may suggest one or more X-rays and complete diagnostics including impressions of the teeth with photographs to document the current position.
Yes we do. We handle a patient transferring into our office from another city just like a new patient. We gather complete diagnostic records to show the current status and propose treatment to complete the work that has been started.
Absolutely. A growing percentage of our patients are adult. New, more cosmetic appliances are making adult treatment much more comfortable and convenient.
An orthodontist is a general dentist that has had at least 2 more years of full-time training in orthodontics resulting in a nationally accepted specialty certificate. The orthodontist then limits their practice to straightening teeth and dentofacial orthopedics.
Teeth move throughout life whether you have worn braces or not. It is part of the natural aging process. This is why retainer wear is recommended indefinitely to maintain your orthodontic results over lifetime.
