-- American Family Orthodontics --

PATIENT FORMS HOME

New Patient Experience

At American Family Orthodontics, we strive to make your New Patient experience enjoyable, comfortable and informative. Your rewarding experience begins when you call our office to schedule an appointment. The New Patient Coordinator will explain the process and let you know what to expect during this special time that we set aside for you. We understand that each patient has different goals and objectives regarding their orthodontic care. We will take the time to make sure all of your questions are answered and start you on your way to a beautiful, more confident smile!

Upon your arrival, you will be greeted by our Patient Coordinator and escorted to our exam room. Prior to the complimentary exam, we will review your medical history, explain what you can expect during the orthodontic process and listen to your concerns. Please allow up to one hour for your first visit.

The doctor will perform an examination of your teeth and address the nature of the orthodontic needs, the treatment plan recommended, the estimated length of treatment and when treatment is indicated.

As a "Thank You," should you decide to proceed with treatment at your new patient exam, we will give you a discount off your treatment.

Financing

Having a beautiful smile, improving your dental health and boosting your self -esteem and confidence is truly an investment in your future or your child's future. Because everyone's needs are different, each case is individually treatment planned and a fee is presented based on the nature of the treatment.

At American Family Orthodontist, we understand that everyone's financial obligations are unique and we are committed to formulating a financial plan that will work within your budget. Due to the diversified needs of our patients, we offer several financing options. These include third party financing with no down payment, monthly payments to the company with a reasonable down payment, and discount for pre-payment in full. We also accept major credit cards. As a courtesy to out patients, we will assist with filing for insurance reimbursement and flexible spending accounts.

Dos and Don'ts

Our goal is to provide you with a beautiful smile. This can only be accomplished if the braces stay attached to your teeth and you take proper care of your teeth. We do not want to interfere with your nutritional intake, but we do ask that you watch the types of foods you eat. Some types of foods are capable of breaking your wires or the bands/brackets by breaking the cement under the bands/brackets. All of these things prolong treatment time.

The foods listed below are the ones we have found to be the most common causes of loose bands, brackets and broken appliances.

AVOID THESE HARD FOODS
1.	Ice (No Crunching Please!)	8.	Jaw breakers
2.	Hard pretzels	9.	Granola
3.	Hard rolls or edges of pizza crust	10.	Lifesavers & Peppermints
4.	Popcorn kernels	11.	Nuts
5.	Raw vegetables **	12.	Frozen Popsicles
6.	Corn-on-the-cob **	13.	Carrots & Apples **
7.	Anything that comes in a cellophane bag that ends with an "O" (example: Doritos, Fritos, Nachos, Hard Tacos)
** DO NOT BITE INTO carrots & apples; they may be eaten if they are cut into curls or small pieces. Corn-on-the-cob may be eaten if sliced off the cob.

AVOID THESE STICKY & CHEWY FOODS
1.	NO GUM!!! (not even Freedent!)	7.	Gummy bears and worms
2.	Caramels & taffy	8.	Tootsie Rolls
3.	Sugar Daddies	9.	Milk Duds & Rolo's
4.	Candy corn	10.	Now or Later's
5.	Beef jerky	11.	Peanut M&M's
6.	Any candy with caramel or peanuts (Cracker Jacks, Payday, Snickers, etc.)

Obviously, we cannot list everything. If you are not sure of something, ask yourself, "Is it hard, sticky or crunchy?" If the answer is "yes," you should not eat it.

Following these directions will keep Orthodontic brackets in your mouth and not in your hands!

Problems and Solutions

Be careful with your appliances. THEY ARE NOT INDESTRUCTABLE! In fact, they can be easily dislodged or even broken if you are not careful. If a band or bracket comes loose, you lose/break an appliance, bracket or band, be sure to call our office right away. We will schedule a repair or give you extra time at your appointment. Please save the appliance and bring it with you for recementing. Remember, a broken or lost appliance cannot correct your teeth, but it will extend your treatment time.

Sometimes a tie wire can get loose and poke the inside of your mouth. When that happens, gently tuck the wire back into place under the archwire with a blunt object (like a pencil eraser; please do not use a fork!). If it won't go back into place, cover it with a piece of wax until you can get to your orthodontist's office.

You may be able to solve many braces problems temporarily until you schedule a repair appointment with our office. These problems need not cause delay in your treatment.

LOOSE BAND OR BRACKET	If the band or brackets becomes loose from the tooth but is still attached to the wire, leave it in place. If uncomfortable, place wax on it. If it comes out completely, wrap bracket or band in tissue.
LOOSE WIRE	Try to place the wire back in with tweezers. If that is not possible, clip the wire with fingernail clippers behind the last tooth to which is securely fastened. If any discomfort, place wax on it.
POKING WIRE	Try to push the sticking wire down with a spoon or eraser. If not possible, place was on it.
LOST TIEWIRE	Notify us at next appointment.
SORENESS	Use warm salt-water rinses and/or Tylenol®, or Ibuprofen.
LOOSE APPLIANCE	If appliance is sticking or poking, place wax on it.

CANDY THAT IS OKAY TO EAT WHILE IN BRACES
Whatchamacallit Plain M&M's Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Reese's Pieces Nestle's Chocolate Bar Nestle's Alpine White Cadbury Eggs	Thin Mints Nerds Fudge & Brownies Kit Kat Bar Three Musketeers Milky Way 5^th Avenue Bar	Hershey's Kisses Hershey's Bar None Hershey's Krackel Bar Raisinettes Sweet Tarts (small) Homemade cookies

For Our Athletic Patients

Please wear an orthodontic mouthpiece at all times! An elbow or ball to the mouth can cause a lot of destruction and pain! These mouthpieces are available in our offices, so ask for one before playing!