Our lives are made up of a series of really exciting milestones, but even when you’re looking forward to something, the unknown aspect of it can be a little scary. Choosing orthodontic care is a big decision, and if you’re not sure what to expect from the process, you may be feeling a little anxious about what lies ahead. That’s what we’re here for! We want you to feel confident in our care from the moment you get in touch, so let’s take a look at what you can expect from your first visit with Bigman Orthodontics.
What happens during an orthodontic evaluation?
We believe that your initial appointment with us is one of the most important ones you’ll have. It’s not only our chance to meet and get to know each other, it also gives us the foundation we need to create a customized treatment plan for your unique smile!
When you arrive for your consultation at our San Ramon office, we’ll greet you warmly and introduce you to some of our team members. When you can put a name to the faces of those who will be working with you throughout the treatment process, it can calm your nerves and help ease any anxiety you’re feeling! We’ll go over your medical and dental history, then take some digital photographs of your teeth. We may also take some x-rays in order to get a better idea of what’s happening beneath the surface of your gums.
At this point, you’ll meet Dr. Bigman just before he conducts a thorough orthodontic examination of your mouth. He’ll also go over any concerns you have about your oral health. The information he collects from this conversation, your exam, and all of the images we’ve taken will give him what he needs to diagnose any issues and create an individualized treatment plan.
An informed patient is able to be a full participant in their orthodontic journey, so it’s important to us that you understand the ins and outs of your diagnosis, treatment options, and any other details of the process. We never want you to feel as though we’re rushing you through your appointments, especially not the very first one! Your initial consultation will last about an hour, which gives us plenty of time to go over important 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
Here at Bigman Orthodontics, we take pride in building each treatment plan around the patient’s specific needs, lifestyle, and goals. By using a customized approach like this, we’re able to produce exceptional results in the shortest amount of time possible.
Your investment in a new smile
Once you’ve talked through your treatment options with Dr. Bigman and decided on the best one for your smile, we’ll sit down with you and go over the investment needed for your new smile. The total cost will vary from case to case, and yours will be based on what your treatment plan entails.
We know that nobody likes surprises when it comes to hidden fees, which is why we’re always transparent about what our treatment fees cover. Don’t worry—we’ll ensure that you understand exactly what to expect from the treatment process before it ever begins!
Here at Bigman Orthodontics, we believe everyone should have access to affordable, high-quality orthodontic care. We offer a wide range of payment options for every budget, and if you have insurance, our team will work with you to maximize your reimbursement for covered procedures.
What comes next?
Now we’re getting to the fun part! Once your consultation is complete, we’ll schedule an appointment for you to have your appliance fitted or placed. This visit normally takes about an hour and will generally a morning appointment. You’ll also be scheduled for quick follow-up visits every 6-8 weeks, depending on your treatment plan. Dr. Bigman will use this time to ensure your teeth are moving in healthy ways, and will also adjust your braces if you have them. He may change the wire as well.
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.
A beautiful smile is waiting for you at Bigman Orthodontics
At Bigman Orthodontics, our goal is to provide you with the highest level of safety and quality in a warm, welcoming environment. Our treatments and procedures are constantly upgraded as new guidelines and equipment become available, and our office is proud to provide patients with state-of-the-art treatment using the most advanced technology available.
Dr. Bigman is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics, something only 20% or so of orthodontists nationwide can claim. He has treated over 12,000 patients over the years and has extensive experience in treating a wide variety of cases. You know you’re putting your smile in the best hands when you choose our practice!
If you’re in San Ramon or the surrounding communities, we’d love to meet you and take a look at your smile. If you haven’t already scheduled your FREE consultation with Dr. Bigman, get in touch today to take the first step towards a healthier, happier smile!