Many orthodontists offer a complimentary orthodontic examination to get new patients rolling on the road to a straighter smile. Your McKinney and Allen orthodontics team at Creekview & McKinney Orthodontics offers one of the most comprehensive exams in the area. This preliminary clinical examination will answer all your questions about braces, Invisalign®, and more.
What a complimentary orthodontic examination includes:
The purpose of a complimentary orthodontic examination includes everything that the doctor needs to determine if you need orthodontic services. The doctor will review the following:
- Medical and dental history
- Complete oral examination
- X-rays
- Digital imaging
- Oral cancer screening
Beginning with your medical and dental history, Dr. Ghosh or Dr. Lofgren will look for family patterns and determine the potential for future alignment problems. A diagnostic record containing information from this exam will stay with you throughout any necessary treatment.
This initial appointment will take about an hour. It is 100 percent complimentary. That means you get a full check-up without spending a penny!
Complete oral examination
A complete oral examination is the basis of any dental or orthodontic procedure. At Creekview and McKinney, we understand that patients, especially our younger patients, may have some anxiety. We will do our best to help patients relax during all portions of the examination process.
The initial examination is completely pain-free. We desire to make this first experience as pleasant as possible. Our entire staff is dedicated to assisting patients in relaxation.
After the oral examination, the doctor may determine that X-rays are necessary to take a closer look. All additional procedures are done in-house, the same day.
Not all examinations result in a recommendation for further treatment. Patients from ages 7 through 12 may be placed in a monitoring program to maintain periodic checkups and monitor tooth and jaw growth patterns.
X-rays
The purpose of reviewing X-rays is two-fold. First, it allows the doctor to see any existing cavities or other problems that require correction before orthodontic treatment. Second, especially in the case of younger patients, X-rays allow a peek into what is happening within the gumline. This allows the doctor to predict growth patterns that may include overcrowding and other future problems.
The doctor normally uses two primary views — the panoramic and cephalometric.
Panoramic X-rays show a front view of your entire mouth, with both the upper and lower jaw. This view is instrumental in showing current teeth placement and projected future tooth growth. It allows the doctor to reliably predict whether or not a patient may need orthodontic treatment.
Cephalometric X-rays show a side view of your head, allowing us to see your teeth, jaw, and surrounding structures in order for your doctor to accurately plan treatment for you.
Many more specialized views can be useful for X-rays, but these two are the most common views. Creekview & McKinney offers 3-dimensional digital X-rays. This offers a 3D view of the entire jaw while minimizing the use of radiation common with older X-ray equipment.
Digital imaging
Our offices use the latest technology. Our iTero 3D intraoral scanner is state-of-the-art. Digital imaging is easier on patients, much quicker than manual templating methods, and more!
Digital imaging can be completed in a matter of minutes. Integrated software programming creates a digital, interactive 3-dimensional map of your mouth. Using this map, the doctor can create an entire treatment plan in real time, allowing patients to see the expected results of treatment.
Oral cancer screening
A quick check for any signs of oral cancer or other potential problems is a natural occurrence during any oral examination. While not a separate part of the examination, rest assured that the doctor will advise you of any abnormalities they notice during your examination.
Complimentary orthodontic examination isn’t a sales gimmick
Although many people think that offering a free comprehensive examination is nothing more than a sales gimmick, that is not the case. There is no hard sell. If, after an examination, there is no need for braces or other orthodontic care, you simply walk out the door.
Some patients may be placed in a monitoring program. This program means that, with periodic checkups, our doctors will monitor growth patterns. With younger patients, the monitoring program is an instrumental part of dental care. It allows the doctors to see and correct minor issues before they become major problems.
What happens after a complimentary orthodontic examination?
Following a complimentary exam, if the doctor determines that no orthodontic care is necessary, nothing further will occur.
If the doctor determines that additional orthodontic care is necessary, they will outline a plan of treatment. Any recommendations will be fully explained. Before you leave you will understand what type of treatment is recommended, how long treatment will take, and the cost.
The doctor or a staff member will answer any questions that you have concerning the recommendation.
During orthodontic treatment, you should continue routine dental care with your regular dentist. Your dentist is familiar with how to work around traditional braces and archwires. Additionally, if you have Invisalign, the trays can be removed during your dental work.
Add PROPEL Orthodontics to any treatment plan
PROPEL Orthodontics can speed up the treatment cycle. If you want to hear more about this innovative program, please ask during your appointment.
Working with the patient’s biology, PROPEL stimulates the bone around the teeth. This increases the speed of healing to promote faster tooth movement and stabilization. Patients will finish treatment faster and have fewer office visits during their treatment program.
It’s FREE — there won’t be a “gotcha” later
Your go-to source for Allen orthodontics is Creekview & McKinney Orthodontics in Allen and McKinney, Texas. Contact us today to schedule your complimentary orthodontic examination. No strings attached. Just an honest evaluation of your orthodontic health. We look forward to seeing you! Learn more about orthodontics on our blog.