Welcome to Murray & Olson Orthodontics! We know that choosing orthodontic treatment is a big decision, and one you don’t take lightly. Even if you’ve already put a lot of thought and research into it, you may still be feeling a little unsure about the process ahead. This is completely normal—the unknown can be scary and orthodontics is a big commitment, after all—but our team works hard to keep your appointments as exciting and stress-free as possible! This is especially important when it comes to your first visit.
We believe your initial consultation is one of the most important appointments you’ll have with us. It’s our chance to meet and get to know a little bit about each other, and provides the foundation for your orthodontic journey. We want you to feel confident in our care from start to finish, and that begins with this first visit. Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from this appointment, and what will follow it!
Keeping our community safe
We’ve made some changes to the way our appointments work to keep our patients and staff safe during the pandemic. We have the following precautions in place to keep our community healthy.
- Patients should check in with our staff from outside upon arrival.
- We will also be asking pre screening questions before allowing patients in the office. Social distancing must be maintained inside the office.
- Parents are welcome to stay in their car for the duration of the appointment. At this time, we prefer only patients entering the office. If a patient needs special assistance, they may have an adult accompany them.
- Patients will be required to wear a mask and use hand sanitizer before entering the office.
- Any patient who shows signs of illness will be asked to reschedule for another day.
- We are following extensive cleaning and disinfecting protocols and have rearranged our office space to make social distancing easy.
Thank you in advance for your patience in complying with these guidelines! With your cooperation, we’ll be able to keep you, our team, and the families in our community safe and healthy.
What happens during an orthodontic evaluation?
The first thing we’ll do after greeting you and taking you through the safety protocols is go over your medical and dental history. Following this, we’ll take a series of digital photographs and x-rays to give us a better idea of what’s happening beneath the surface of your smile. You’ll then be introduced to Dr. Murray or Dr. Olson!
After listening to any concerns you have about your oral health, one of our doctors will perform a thorough oral examination. The information that we obtain from your history, images, and exam will give him everything he needs to provide you with a diagnosis and treatment plan.
A patient who is fully informed and engaged with their treatment plan is the best kind of patient! We want you to understand every step of the orthodontic process, and we never want you to feel as though we’re rushing you through your appointments. That’s especially important on your first visit! Since there’s so much to go over, you can expect to spend about an hour with us during your consultation. This gives us plenty of time to cover all the important topics, including:
- any questions or concerns you have about your smile
- if treatment is needed immediately or if waiting is the best course of action
- what treatment options would best serve your smile
- an estimate of how long we expect your treatment to take
- the total investment required for your new smile
- any payment or financing options we have available to you
What comes next?
Once you’ve decided on a treatment plan, we’ll schedule an appointment for you to come in and have your appliance fitted or placed. Following this visit, you’ll be scheduled for checkups with us every 4-8 weeks or so. During these visits, your orthodontist will ensure your teeth are moving safely and adjust your braces if necessary. They may also choose to change the wire at this time.
These visits are an essential part of every orthodontic journey, so try your best to not miss any of them. We do know that sometimes life can get in the way so if you find yourself running late or can’t make an appointment for any reason, we simply ask that you let us know as soon as possible so we can reschedule you for another day. This will help us keep your treatment plan on track!
We believe every patient should have access to high-quality orthodontic care and are committed to providing affordable treatment options for every budget. During your consultation, we’ll outline all the fees associated with your treatment plan and ensure you understand each one before moving forward with the orthodontic process. The total cost of treatment will vary from case to case, and we will always work with you to create a payment plan that fits your budget. For your convenience, we also accept most major credit cards and insurance plans.
You should continue to see your family dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings throughout your orthodontic journey. If any extra dental care is needed during this time, we’ll be happy to coordinate care with your dentist to ensure your smile looks great and feels good, too!
Say hello to an incredible smile with Murray-Olson Orthodontics
Your smile is too important to trust to anything less than an expert! We have been providing specialized orthodontic care to patients of all ages for almost 40 years and are known for creating beautiful smiles in Visalia. We also have a talented team who are dedicated to giving our patients a rewarding experience from your first visit to your last.
If you haven’t already scheduled your complimentary consultation, get in touch today and we’ll be happy to help set it up for you!