Your First Orthodontic Visit

From our first word to our first day at college and everything that comes before and after, our lives are made up of a whole series of firsts. These milestones can be really exciting, but they can also leave you feeling a little nervous or overwhelmed. Even if you’re looking forward to a new adventure, the unknown can still be scary. 

Choosing orthodontic care means taking the first step towards a healthier smile, something worth celebrating! But it’s also a big decision, one we know you don’t take lightly. Here at Thomas Kovacs Orthodontics, we want you to feel confident in our care from the moment you make you schedule your consultation. We take your trust in us seriously and work hard to provide all of our patients with a rewarding orthodontic journey.

That begins with your first visit to our Billings or Miles City office! This initial appointment is one of the most important ones you’ll have. It’s our chance to meet and get to know each other a little better, and it also gives us the foundation we need to create a treatment plan for your unique smile needs. We want you to look forward to this experience, so let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from your first visit with Dr. Kovacs!  

Saying hello to our talented team

When you arrive for your consultation, you’ll be greeted warmly and introduced to some of our talented team. Knowing who will be helping you through the orthodontic process can help calm your nerves and ease any anxiety you have about this visit. You’ll also meet Dr. Kovacs just before he performs a complete orthodontic examination. If necessary, we will obtain diagnostic records to get a better idea of your orthodontic situations. These records generally include digital photographs, x-rays, molds of your teeth, and a review of your medical and dental history.  They give Dr. Kovacs all the information he needs to create a customized treatment plan for you. 

Your clinical examination

There’s a reason you scheduled an orthodontic visit, and we want to hear all about it! Once you’ve gone over all your concerns with Dr. Kovacs, he will physically examine your teeth and jaw. Any photographs or x-rays taken will provide him with more details on your jaw development or alignment. Once the exam is complete, Dr. Kovacs will let you know if he’s found any problems and what your treatment options are. 

It’s important to us that you understand your diagnosis, treatment options, and any other details of the orthodontic process. We’ll never rush you through appointment, and especially not the first one! You can expect your initial consultation to take about an hour so we have plenty of time to go over everything. Besides your examination, we’ll cover topics like: 

 

  • any oral issues you’re experiencing
  • if treatment is needed immediately or if waiting is recommended
  • 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 Thomas Kovacs Orthodontics, our treatment plans are built around each patient’s specific needs, lifestyle, and goals. Customizing our approach in this way allows us to consistently produce beautiful results our patients love. 

Investing in a healthier smile

After you’ve gone over all your treatment options with Dr. Kovacs and decided on the best one for you, we’ll walk you through the investment needed for your new smile. Every case is different, so the total costs will vary from person to person, but there will never be any hidden fees to worry about at our practice! We’ll ensure you understand exactly what to expect before your treatment ever begins. 

Everyone should have access to the orthodontic care they need, and that’s why we’re committed to providing patients of all ages with affordable treatment options. We offer a wide range of payment options for every budget, including financing with no initial payment and a monthly installment plan. If you have dental insurance that will cover orthodontic treatment, our team will work with you to maximize your insurance reimbursement for covered procedures.

The next step in your orthodontic journey

Once all your questions and concerns have been addressed, Dr. Kovacs will proceed with the appliance placement. You may be fitted for and receive your first Invisalign aligner, or have braces attached to your teeth. While placement is generally painless, you may experience some minor discomfort as you adjust to your braces. This should be temporary and resolve itself in a day or two. 

Depending on the type of appliance you have, you’ll be scheduled for follow-up visits with us every 6-8 weeks or so. At these appointments, Dr. Kovacs 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 and allow us to ensure your treatment plan is progressing as it should be. It’s important that you don’t miss them if at all possible! If you’re running late or unable to make an appointment, we simply ask that you let us know as soon as possible so we can reschedule you for another day. 

Find your healthiest smile with Thomas Kovacs Orthodontics

Our practice has what it takes to give you a smile you can be proud of. Dr. Kovacs has been providing quality orthodontic treatment to the people of Montana and Wyoming for over almost 20 years, creating thousands of beautiful smiles for patients of all ages! Our team works hard to give you a rewarding and stress-free orthodontic experience from your first appointment to your last—and beyond. You’ll find our offices warm and welcoming, with state-of-the-art technology to ensure comfortable treatment and exceptional results.  

If you’re in Billings, Miles City, or the surrounding communities, we’d love to meet you and take a look at your smile! For more information on how orthodontics can improve your oral health, get in touch today to schedule a FREE with Dr. Kovacs. There’s never been a better time to take the first step towards the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve!