Our objective is to make sure your visits with us will be pleasant and informative. Your initial appointment will consist of an examination and a discussion of potential treatment options. This important visit will address the orthodontic needs of you or your child.
Please assist us by providing the following information at the time of your first visit:
Broken Appointemnts: All phones are always forwarded to the location Dr. Waters is currently practicing. However, you may contact each office directly as follows, Austin at 451-6457, Steiner Ranch at 266-8585, and Bastrop at 303-1060. If for some reason you are unable to attend your scheduled appointment, please contact our office 24 hours in advance. If there is no cancellation call or inadequate notice given, you may be charged $35 for a missed appointment. Appointments cannot be re-schedulled by leaving messages on the answering machine. The answering machine is for emergenices.
If it is determined that treatment is indicated, you will be scheduled for diagnostic records. These records usually consist of study models, diagnostic photographs, and orthodontic x-rays. Once these orthodontic records have been obtained, Dr. Waters will review them and determine a specific treatment plan for your orthodontic needs. Our office will then call you to review your treatment plan, set up the necessary appointments to begin your orthodontic treatment, and set up financial arrangements for you.
Successive Visits
Periodic visits are an important part of orthodontic treatment. Generally, we will want to see you every four to eight weeks to check your progress and make adjustments to your braces. During this time, you will need to keep appointments, follow instructions, eat nutritiously, and practice good oral hygiene. Also continue to visit your dentist regularly.
Once your braces are removed, retainers are utilized to hold your teeth in their new positions until your bone, gums, and muscles adapt to the new teeth positions. The retention period is an important part of your overall treatment and should not be neglected!
Length of Treatment
Braces may be on between 6 months to 30 months or longer depending on the age of the patient, the severity of the problem, the patient's cooperation, and the degree of movement possible.
Dental Care
Before any orthodontic treatment, your family dentist should make certain that all cavities have been treated and the health of your gums and underlying bone are free of periodontal disease.
In addition, your dentist or an oral surgeon will remove any teeth that Dr. Waters prescribed to correct your bite. Your family dentist should also schedule cleaning and cavity checkup visits during your orthodontic care. We would like to reinforce the need to keep your regular visits with your family dentist because we are only an aid to your family dentist and not a replacement.
Please contact our office if you have any questions. The timing of your treatment is very important. You or your child may or may not be ready for treatment. Therefore, a consultation will allow us to better understand your needs.