There are a number of different appointment types when you visit us and so depending on the days’ schedule there may be more of some appointment types than others and therefore every day is different. Since we offer appointment times as early as 7am and as late as 5:30 pm in order to accommodate those patients who need after school or after work visits, some days at our office are longer than others. It just depends on how full the schedule is.
When patients come in for their first visit, which is always complimentary at our office, we take some x-rays and pictures, preform a quick but thorough exam, and then we sit down and have a conversation about what the patient is concerned about or what bothers them about their teeth or bite. We let them know what we see and what our diagnosis is, and then discuss with them about what their options are for addressing everything.
If a patient decides they would like to start treatment, then we get them scheduled to either get their braces on or to scan their teeth if they are wanting treatment with clear aligners, such as Invisalign. The appointment to get braces on takes about an hour while a scan of the teeth takes around 5-10 minutes. Both are always an exciting visit because they mark the start of each patient’s smile transformation.
Throughout the course of treatment we usually see our patients every six to eight weeks, sometimes intervals are longer though, it just depends. Each visit we look at a number of different things to see how treatment is progressing. Sometimes patients will get new wires (or trays if they are wearing clear aligners a.k.a. Invisalign) or we may instruct them to wear some rubber bands. They may be due for a progress x-ray or get some braces placed on teeth that have erupted since last visit, such as a second molar. The neat thing about orthodontics, and braces in particular, is how fast the teeth start moving once treatment is started. It’s always an awesome feeling when a patient comes in for their first visit after getting their braces put on and hearing them say how happy they are with the progress that has already been made.
The appointment when the braces come off is just as exciting, if not more exciting, than when they are put on. That is when the patient gets to see the finished product for the first time and is such a special visit, one that makes being an orthodontist so awesome.
If you have any additional questions about Mack and Hansen Orthodontics or want to discover how Dr. Spencer Mack and Dr. Andrew Hansen can help you gain straighter teeth and a healthier smile with braces or Invisalign please contact us today! You can also visit www.etxortho.com to learn more about our orthodontists and request a complimentary consult, or you can call us at 903-212-7737. We’re conveniently located in Longview, TX and are just a quick drive from Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, Kilgore, and Gilmer.
