The Top 10 Things You Must Know Before Choosing Your
Orthodontist!
About Orthodontists
If you are researching “Braces” or “Orthodontists” for yourself or your child, then you are in the right place! Most people think that all orthodontic offices provide the same quality of care and if you thought that too you are sadly mistaken. You should know that just like all teeth are different, every orthodontic practice is different. In your search to find the right provider for your family, you will most likely find similar treatment options. It’s important to know, however, that all treatment is not the same, and some offices it’s not even an orthodontist specialist delivering the treatment. At Imagine Orthodontics, our mission is to serve others by changing lives, supporting our community, and taking a patient-centric approach to care. We work hard to offer the highest quality care in a friendly, comfortable environment. With our “patient-first” approach, our biggest reward is seeing how happy our patients are with their new smiles after treatment. To help support our mission and to help you choose the right practice, we invite you to read our report, “The Top 10 Things You Must Know Before Choosing Your Orthodontist.” Each section addresses an important question to consider as you research options for your treatment. While many providers fit a few of the criteria, we strongly encourage you to settle for nothing less than the complete package. It’s what you and your teeth deserve! We hope you find our report to be informative and helpful as you begin your exciting journey toward your ideal, healthy smile. If you would like to know more about any of the information we’ve included here, feel free to call us or speak to a member of our knowledgeable team – simply call 816 880-3900 to reach our Independence office.
When you are ready, we invite you to schedule your complimentary New Patient Smile Assessment today by calling 816 880-3900 to reach out to our office, or by email: imagnedentalakc@gmail.com. Your appointment includes a discussion of your goals, answers to all your questions, an in-depth exam with images, and the options for a personalized treatment plan.
To Your Healthiest Smile,
Dr. Thomas B. Rollins DMD, CAGS
Table of Contents
- Are They a Specialist?
- Do They Use the Latest Technology & Offer All the Available Treatment Options?
- Does the Orthodontists or the Assistants Do the Work?
- Is the First Visit Free of Charge?
- Is the Final Quoted Fee All-Inclusive or Are There Hidden Charges?
- Are the Orthodontists Available During Off-Hours?
- Do They Treat Adults & Children?
- Do They Offer Flexible Payment Options?
- Will My Treatment Be Personalized?
- Are Their Office Hours Flexible?
Orthodontists have completed 2-3 additional years of training after dental school and have mastered diagnosing and treating all types of malocclusions (bad bites) using various techniques. While several general dentists offer orthodontic services, such as Invisalign®, it’s important to realize that they have not received the additional training, or have the same experience as an orthodontic specialist. In Fact some have very little training at all. At Imagine Orthodontics, our orthodontic specialists have helped to improve over 1,000 of smiles through a wide variety of orthodontic treatments. As a team, every one of us believes in the importance of staying current with the techniques and technologies available for quality dental care. For this reason, all our doctors regularly attend continuing education courses to supplement the distinguished education and training that they received while pursuing their dental and orthodontic specialist degrees. Extensive experience allows our doctors to provide expert, professional care that matches each patient’s unique needs.
Do They Use the Latest Technology & Offer All the Available Treatment Options?
The field of orthodontics has evolved a great deal to include many technological benefits that didn’t exist in the past. This can make the process more precise and efficient. Here at Imagine Orthodontics, we use the latest technology throughout your treatment process, starting with your initial diagnostic appointment. From extremely accurate imaging to accelerated orthodontic treatment, our technology helps make the experience faster, easier, and even fun!
Do the Orthodontists or the Assistants Do the Work?
While licensed orthodontic assistants are trained to do a few things to help the office run smoothly, only the orthodontist should manage your adjustments and overall treatment. It’s important to ensure that your orthodontist is providing doctor-focused care. When you choose Imagine Orthodontics for your orthodontic care, you can look forward to receiving high-quality care from our expert orthodontic specialist. You will always have the option to see the same doctor throughout your treatment with us and your happiness and comfort will always be our top priorities. It’s all part of our commitment to being the best orthodontists in The Kansas City Area.
Is the First Visit Free of Charge?
Your initial consultation should be free of charge. This is typically when the orthodontist will do an exam and talk to you about treatment options that best fit your unique needs. To get the most from this first appointment, you should ask any questions you may have and get to know the staff and the orthodontist. We are pleased to offer your initial New Patient Smile Assessment at no charge to you so that you can make an informed decision for you and your family. Your appointment includes a discussion of your goals, an in-depth exam with images, and a personalized treatment plan – a $250 value, compliments of Imagine Orthodontics. During your new patient appointment, we will take the time to answer all your questions about our office, your treatment, flexible payment options, and anything else you may want to know about our office!
Is the Final Quoted Fee All-Inclusive or Are There Hidden Charges?
When looking for an orthodontist, it’s important to know what the final quoted fee for your orthodontic treatment includes. For example, are retainers included? Will there be any additional charges in the future? Making sure your orthodontist gives you an all-inclusive quoted fee will prevent any costly surprises down the road. At Imagine Orthodontics, we know that receiving orthodontic care is an investment in both time and money. We want you to be completely informed prior to beginning treatment so you can make the best decision for your family and your budget. That’s why our quoted fees are presented up front with no surprise fees! Ask for more details at your initial appointment and ask about our retainers for life program.
Are the Orthodontists Available During Off-Hours?
Fortunately, the orthodontic process is relatively straight-forward but on rare occasions, when you find yourself needing to speak to your orthodontist and the office is closed, you should know if you will be stuck with an answering service. At Imagine Orthodontics, we understand that orthodontic emergencies can sometimes happen. That’s why we make it our priority to always be available to help you! At our office, all emergency calls are forwarded directly to the doctors, so if you ever experience a problem with your orthodontic treatment, you can rest assured that you will be able to contact us for help at any time. It’s our promise to you!
Do They Treat Adults & Children? Orthodontics is not just for kids!
Orthodontists can help adults, teens, and children achieve a beautiful and healthy smile. At Imagine Orthodontics, we are proud to offer our services to children, teens, and adults. Our adult patients are discovering for themselves how a transformed attractive smile can improve both their health and the way they feel about themselves. Others are choosing to have treatment to avoid problems with their bite often associated with crooked teeth. We offer multiple treatment options to achieve a beautiful, healthy smile that can last a lifetime. Learn more by scheduling you Complimentary initial consultation now:
Do They Offer Flexible Payment Options?
Orthodontic treatment is certainly an investment but it shouldn’t drain your wallet. Make sure you understand different payment options and ways to maximize your insurance benefits. Ensure that the orthodontist will submit all claims for you even if you have an out of network plan and that they offer interest-free payment options. At Imagine Orthodontics, we strongly believe that no one should ever have to delay necessary orthodontic treatment due to financial concerns. That’s why we do our best to help you work within your budget while still providing you with exceptional treatment. When you come in for your complimentary consultation, we’ll help you understand all the different payment plans we offer. From filing insurance paperwork for you to offering no-interest payment plans, we are here to simplify the financial process so you can focus on what really matters – your new healthy smile. You can rest easy knowing that every facet of your orthodontic treatment will be smooth sailing and worry-free!
Will My Treatment Be Personalized?
It’s important that your orthodontist spends time with you to explain the entire process, to review the risks/benefits/limitations of orthodontic treatment, and to help manage your expectations. An orthodontist should also explain how the treatment will affect the esthetics of your smile and face. At Imagine Orthodontics, we provide thorough and attentive diagnostics and treatment care from the moment you walk through our doors. At your initial visit, we will perform an exam, take digital images, and provide you with a personalized treatment plan specific to your unique needs. Your comfort and health are our top priorities, and we go the extra mile to provide all our patients with personalized care.
Are There Flexible Office Hours?
Finding an orthodontic practice that will work with your busy schedule ensures that there will be minimal interferences with making appointments, emergencies will be accounted for, and it allows your family to receive the attention it deserves. At Imagine Orthodontics, we’re committed to providing the highest quality care to our patients AND we want to make the treatment process as convenient for you as possible. We never want your busy schedule to deter you from seeing our specialists. That’s why we offer evening and Saturday appointment times for your convenience! In addition, we also provide the option to begin treatment on the same day as your initial evaluation. By offering same-day treatment starts, we put your scheduling needs ahead of our own – and we save you money by eliminating the cost of a second appointment! We also keep appointments running on time so you can count on being seen at your actual appointment time.
Closing Letter
Dear Friend, We hope this report has helped you learn more about what you can expect from your orthodontic treatment, as well as what you should expect from your provider. Don’t be afraid to ask about each item we included on this list. If you have already signed up for treatment with a provider, feel free to call the office and ask a few follow-up questions. Remember, this is your smile we’re talking about here – you deserve to feel confident and comfortable during the treatment process. While our primary goal was simply to educate you and facilitate your search for a dental care provider for you or your family, we hope you’ve also discovered a bit about Imagine Orthodontics and why we’re so passionate about what we do. Yes, we love creating beautiful smiles, but more than that, we love nurturing great relationships with our patients and helping them be happier and healthier overall. It may sound like you should expect a lot from your orthodontist, and that’s true, but only because we expect so much from ourselves. You’re putting your trust in us, and that’s not something we take lightly. To learn more about Imagine Orthodontics, simply call 816 880-3900 to reach out to office in Independence, and don’t forget about your complimentary New Patient Smile Assessment! A comprehensive consultation may be the only thing standing between you and the smile you’ve always wanted.
To Your Healthiest Smile,
Dr. Thomas B. Rollins DMD, CAGS