Your first visit to our orthodontic office is exciting and the start of your new smile. It’s a chance for us to get acquainted, and for you to learn about the treatments and services we offer. It all starts with the initial visit and careful examination. We only provide care on the Kenai peninsula.

You should plan to spend plenty of time to ask any questions you may have. You will meet one of our receptionists or patient coordinators, who will take some information from you and bring you through the office. Then it’s time for an exam and some diagnostic work if we are ready to proceed with making a careful personalized treatment plan.

A big part of our job today is to determine what treatment is necessary to correct any problems we may find — and whether we should begin now, or wait until a later time. Our procedure starts by taking a set of regular photographs of the teeth in their present state. Next, we’ll probably take a series of radiographic (X-ray) images. These enable us to see what’s going on underneath the gums: the position and growth of bones and joints, and the teeth that are still below the gum line.

We may also take impressions (molds) of the teeth. This lets us make an exact replica of the bite, which helps us understand exactly what the problem is and how best to treat it. If we need to do this, we will ask you (or your child) to bite down on some soft putty-like material for a few moments; then we’ll remove it and make the diagnostic models in our lab.

After that, it’s time for the specialized consultation. We will look at the records and images, and formulate a treatment plan. We do not routinely put braces on until a careful diagnosis and plan for your case is determined. We have seen the problems from other offices that put the braces on first then hope to find a plan later. We do not rush this step.

Now that we have a treatment plan, we will also explain what our fees will be, and what payment options are available.

Whether you’re starting now or later, this is the best time to ask questions about the process. We can talk about available treatment choices, answer general questions about what to expect at the different stages of the process, and discuss any of the following:

• Can orthodontic treatment benefit me (or my child)?
• What general procedures will be used to correct the problem?
• Are any options available (or recommended) for my treatment?
• Should I get treatment now, or is it better to wait?
• Will tooth extraction be necessary?
• How much does treatment cost? Are payment plans available?
• How long do you expect treatment should take?

When you leave our office, you will have a better understanding of how we can help you get the best possible smile. So why not take the first step now — call us for a consultation at 907.262.9425!

It is our mission to provide you with affordable, high-quality treatment. We offer a variety of payment options to meet your needs. We offer interest-free financing options through our office and other payment options. We will take the time to thoroughly explain all of the options to you so that you can make an informed decision.

As a courtesy to our customers, we provide insurance claim filing at no cost. We make sure that our patients receive the maximum amount of benefit that their insurance company can offer. Many insurance policies have a pre-determined lifetime orthodontic benefit maximum that is separate from a dental benefit maximum. We review your insurance policy carefully and file your claim promptly. Please make sure to complete all insurance related questions from the new patient questionnaire so that we can accurately assess your benefits.

Please remember that orthodontic insurance is a benefit for you or your child. If, during the course of treatment, your benefits change, the financially responsible party is accountable for all charges.

Our office is committed to helping you get the most out of your insurance benefits. As a courtesy to our patients, we will bill your insurance company for services rendered in our office. If you have any questions, our financial coordinator will be happy to assist you.

Yes you can! But just keep in mind that payments are scheduled as monthly installments and are due on your monthly contract. Late payments accrue fees. Payment due date and appointments will not always coincide.

Orthodontic insurance is different than any other type of insurance as it is not billed on a visit-by-visit basis. Orthodontic treatment fees are calculated based on the type of treatment and length of treatment. A claim for the total treatment fee, along with diagnostic information, is sent to the primary insurance. The primary insurance company will make periodic payments over the length of treatment.

Dual insurance is a matter of sending a claim to the secondary once the primary has paid. The secondary will want to confirm receipt of the primary payments before it will release payment of benefits.

For an adult patient it is the patient’s insurance that is primary and the spouse is secondary. For a dependent the birthday rule determines which biological parent is primary and which is secondary. Step-parents are always secondary. What is the birthday rule? A method of determining which parent’s insurance coverage is primary for dependent children: the parent whose birthday falls earliest in the year usually has the primary plan.

An EOB is the “Explanation of Benefits” from your insurance company. An EOB is sent with every payment.

Our practice accepts assignment on most insurance plans. What this means is we split out the expected insurance portion from your payment schedule and will file claims on your behalf. Your insurance will make payments over the course of treatment. This means if you have a 18-month treatment plan it will take your insurance up to 18 months to pay. If you have new coverage during treatment, please be aware that not all insurance companies pay for treatment in progress. We will be happy to submit a claim for you but the new payment schedule for the unpaid insurance balance will remain in place and payments from the new insurance will be applied.