New Patient Resources
- Conveniently Located On Madison Ave. Between Sunrise & Fair Oaks
What To Expect From Your First Visit
We are thrilled to welcome you to our office for your first visit! This appointment marks the beginning of your journey with us, allowing you to familiarize yourself with our practice and discuss your orthodontic needs.
Your initial appointment is expected to last about an hour and will encompass several valuable components. These include a complimentary digital panoramic X-ray, digital photographs, a comprehensive examination, and a thorough conversation regarding potential treatment options. During this initial examination, we will focus on crafting a plan customized to your smile. We are excited to answer your question as well as cover treatment rates and insurance coverage verification.
We want to emphasize that you do not need a referral from a general dentist to schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Plewe. Your journey with us begins here, and we’re excited to embark on it together.
For your convenience, you have the option to download and complete a printed version of our patient form using the provided links below. If you encounter difficulties opening PDF files, you can obtain Adobe Reader® free by following this link.
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.
If you have insurance, we will help you to determine the coverage you have available. We ask that you assign your insurance benefit to us. The balance will be arranged for you to pay (see above).
Professional care is provided to you, our patient, and not to an insurance company. Thus, the insurance company is responsible to the patient and the patient is responsible to the doctor. We will help in every way we can in filing your claim and handling insurance questions from our office on your behalf.
In an effort to keep orthodontic fees down while maintaining the highest level of professional care, we have established the following financial policy:
- If full payment is made at the onset of treatment, we will offer a a fee discount. (If you have insurance, we will offer a discount for payment of your portion of the fee that will not be covered by insurance.)
- To fit your individual needs, financial arrangements can be made to extend your payments over a period of months.
- For your convenience, we accept payment by Visa®, MasterCard®, and Discover® and CareCredit®.
- In cases of serious delinquency, treatment will be discontinued, although we will make every effort to accommodate patients with temporary difficulties.
The cost of treatment depends on the severity of the patient’s problem. You will be able to discuss fees and payment options before treatment begins. We have payment plans to suit different budgets, including a no initial payment option. We also accept assignment from most insurance plans, and file the necessary papers to the insurance company. We work hard to make orthodontics affordable.
The appointment when you get your appliances (braces, expanders,aligners, etc.) usually takes one to two hours. You’ll then see us at regular intervals, four to eight weeks apart, for an adjustment, which takes 20 to 40 minutes. Patients are seen by appointment only.
We make every effort to be on time for our patients, and ask that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify us immediately. Cancel only if it is an emergency. It can be difficult to reschedule you since most appointments are made four to eight weeks in advance.
