Please read this information before your appointment!
The first three appointments are "information gathering" appointments.
1. Evaluation Appointment (45-60 minutes)
There will be no fee associated with this evaluation appointment. This appointment can be scheduled in the morning or the afternoon.
During your first visit we will:
- Show you around our office
- Take a series of orthodontic measurements
- Take a panoramic X-ray and photos
- Give you orthodontic information so that you can make the best orthodontic decision for yourself and your family.
For Your Convenience:
If you would like to provide insurance information, we will help with the verification of your benefits. Insurance companies consider the first three appointments as "diagnostic information gathering". You may proceed through the first four appointments before an insurance company will even consider you as an active patient or accept any claims-paperwork from your orthodontic office.
After taking measurements at the evaluation, Dr. Joe can give you estimates on the length of time you might wear braces, as well as possible payment options. You will be given exact lenght of treatment and cost after Dr. Joe has had a chance to study your case in depth.
This study will occur once he has the diagnostic study records that are usually made at the second appointment.
2. Diagnostic Records Appointment (45-60 minutes)
This appointment can be scheduled in the morning or the afternoon.
Another exclusive feature at Dr. Carastro's office is that we have a complete orthodontic lab on site. For your comfort and convenience, you will not be sent to, or have to budget for, an outside lab.
During your lab we will:
- Take 8 photographs
- Take 2 X-rays (1 Panorex, 1 Cephalometric)
- Make a set of models
Approximately 2-3 weeks after your diagnostic records appointment, all the photographs and X-rays will be developed and mounted, the models will be complete and the case will have been analyzed and studied by Dr. Joe.
Diagnostic Records – Financial Facts
The fee for the diagnostic records appointment will be included in your total case fee.
3. Consultation Appointment (45-60 minutes)
This appointment is generally scheduled at 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. The fee for this appointment is included in the treatment contract.
The consultation is the appointment at which Dr. Joe explains all that he has learned while studying the diagnostic records. You will be told about the treatment plan and will have the chance to ask questions so that all procedures and expectations are understood before any treatment begins.
Please schedule this appointment when all interested parties can attend.
Dr. Joe sets aside this appointment for you – the decision makers. You will definitely want this information before you sign an agreement with our office to start orthodontic treamtment.
We encourage all decision makers and interested parties to take advantage of our offter to spend as much time as you need to have ALL of your questions answered.After the technical details of the treatment are discussed, the financial options and the insurance information will be presented.
Your financial decision can be made some time after you have had a chance to talk with our financial coordinator. You will not be required to decide on your payment plan at the consultation. This presentation is to let you know the options available to you, and to discuss possible payment plans.
We do ask, however, that you inform us of your chosen option several days prior to the START appointment. This will give us time to type your contract and have it ready for your review and signature on the treatment START day, when you will be given a copy of the contract, we will send a claim form for any insurance benefits and you may take care of the initial investment at this time.
4.) Separator Appointment (10-15 minutes)
This procedure is usually done at the time of the consultation, but can be done after the consultation on any other morning or afternoon during our regularly scheduled hours.
Separators are small round rubber rings. They are placed into the mouth with dental floss and fit on either side of the teeth that will be banded (usually the molars) on the START date.
It takes 3-10 days for the separators to move the teeth to where the bands can be fit comfortably on START day. Normally, the separators are removed at the banding appointment, but occasionally they will fall out on their own. Call us if they do, so that we may advise you properly. It is best not to floss the teeth that hold the separators, or chew on sticky foods or gum while they are in place.
Separators can cause soreness. If this occurs, Advil or an ibuprofen product is recommended. Make sure to have food in your stomach and take the medication properly for your body weight.
At this or the following appointment, any insurance paperwork will be ready for you to sign. Your insurance company will not accept submission of a claim until your START date. Insurance companies expect an exact treatment plan from Dr. Joe, which can only be determined after the diagnostic records/consultation state.
Please note: For your convenience, monthly payment plans can be arranged for each patient.
New Patient Forms
To help us with your chart, please fill out the appropriate forms and submit them online before your first appointment.