Here at Surf City Smiles, we believe the orthodontic process should be fun, rewarding, and as stress-free as possible. That begins the moment you walk through our door! We know that taking the first steps towards a healthier smile can be equal parts exciting and overwhelming. This is particularly true if you don’t know much about orthodontics or what to expect from the journey ahead!
Choosing treatment is a big deal, and we don’t take the trust you’ve placed in us for granted. That’s why we believe your initial visit is one of the most important appointments you’ll have with us! It gives you the chance to get to know us, and lets you explore all your treatment options in a relaxed setting with zero pressure.
To help you prepare for your FREE consultation with us, let’s take a closer look at what you can expect and what will come next in the process!
Your first visit with Surf City Smiles
When you arrive at our Huntington Beach office, you’ll be greeted warmly by our team and given a brief tour. We find that patients tend to feel much more relaxed if they’re familiar with their surroundings! We’ll then go over your dental and medical history before taking some digital photographs and x-rays of your teeth. This gives us a glimpse into any orthodontic issues, plus shows us what’s happening beneath the surface of the gums.
Once the necessary images have been obtained, Dr. Carlson will perform a thorough oral examination. After looking at your teeth, gums, and mouth, he may also ask you a few questions about any problems you’ve been having with chewing, swallowing, or opening and closing your mouth. The information we obtain from your history, exam, and images will allow Dr. Carlson to make an initial diagnosis and recommend the best course of treatment for you.
It’s important to us that you don’t feel rushed during your consultation, so you can expect it to last about an hour. Dr. Carlson will make time to discuss your diagnosis, the orthodontic process, and address any questions or concerns you may have at this point. You can expect him to cover topics such as:
- any oral issues you’re experiencing
- if treatment is needed immediately
- what treatment options are available to correct the problem
- if any teeth will need to be removed
- an estimate of how long we expect your treatment to take
- the total investment required for treatment
- any payment or financing options we have available to you
At Surf City Smiles, our treatment plans are built around each patient’s specific needs, lifestyle, and goals. This customized approach allows us to consistently produce superior results our patients love to show off!
Your investment in a healthier smile
Once you’ve decided on a treatment plan with Dr. Carlson, we’ll go over the investment needed for your new smile. Because every patient has unique needs and will respond to treatment in their own way, the total cost will always vary from case to case. Your personalized treatment plan will include a breakdown of all applicable fees, and we’ll make sure you understand each one before moving forward with any actual treatment.
We believe everyone should have access to a healthy smile, and our practice is committed to providing high-quality orthodontic care affordable and attainable for every budget. We offer in-house, interest-free, extended payment plans, and also accept most major credit cards and insurance plans. If you have orthodontic insurance, we’ll help you maximize your coverage by assisting you with your all your claims and paperwork.
The next steps in your orthodontic journey
If you’re excited to get started with your treatment, we may be able to begin the same day as your consultation! Otherwise, we’ll schedule an appointment for you to receive your new orthodontic appliance and start the active phase of treatment.
Depending on your treatment plan, you’ll have follow-up visits with us every 4-8 weeks or so. At these appointments, Dr. Carlson will adjust your appliance if necessary and check that your teeth are moving in a safe and healthy way.
These visits are an essential part of your orthodontic treatment, so try not to miss them! We do our best to get you in on a day and time that’s convenient for you, but we understand that life sometimes gets in the way of even our best-laid plans. If you’re running late or can’t make your appointment for any reason, we simply ask that you let us know as soon as possible so we can reschedule your appointment for another day.
Trust Surf City Smiles to deliver superior results
You’re putting your smile into the best hands by choosing Surf City Smiles! We have many years of combined experience in straightening smiles for patients of all ages, and the innovative techniques we use allow us to deliver the best results in the shortest amount of time possible.
Orthodontic treatment is one of the most important investments you can make for yourself or your child. An experienced orthodontic specialist like Dr. Carlson will only recommend the best treatment for your unique smile! If you’re in Huntington Beach or the surrounding community and want to learn more about what orthodontics has to offer you, get in touch today to schedule your first FREE visit. We’ve got a beautifully straightened smile waiting here for you!
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