Prior to Your Initial Visit

Prior to your initial visit, the office will be sending you a new patient welcome packet which will include an informational letter confirming your orthodontic appointment, a patient information form and a brochure about orthodontics. Please review and complete all forms to save time for your initial visit. Our office policy requires a parent or legal guardian be present at the consultation appointment.


Consulation (Your Initial Visit)

Upon arrival to our office, you will be welcomed by Nicole, our Scheduling Coordinator. She will gather the completed patient information form, dental insurance details, and any other pertinent information. You will then be greeted by Lesa, our Treatment Coordinator, who will provide a tour of our office and discuss what to expect during the clinical exam. Dr. Murphy will then meet with you and perform a comprehensive orthodontic examination, share his findings and discuss treatment options with you. Lesa will review Dr. Murphy's treatment findings and, if orthodontic treatment is indicated, discuss financial arrangements.

Diagnostic Records

If treatment is indicated, we will need to gather diagnostic records to determine the best course of treatment. Diagnostic records typically include study models (impressions or molds) of the teeth, diagnostic radiographs, facial/dental photographs and wax bites.

Initial Bonding (The Day the Braces Go On)

Approximately 1-2 weeks after your Diagnostic Records appointment, we will see you for the initial bonding appointment; usually 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours. The parent or legal guardian is required to be present the first and last 15 minutes of the appointment. Our office provides complimentary pagers if you choose to leave the office, however you are always welcome to stay for the entire appointment.

Periodic Adjustment Appointments

Patients are scheduled for periodic adjustments every 4 to 10 weeks. As we strive to meet each individual's scheduling requirements, you MUST expect some appointments to occur during school hours. If appliances need to be changed, augmented or repaired we will need to schedule a thirty or forty-five minute appointment. Regular adjustments usually require approximately thirty minutes.

Debanding (The Day the Braces Come Off)

Additional appointments will be required prior to the removal of braces depending on the type of retainer chosen. The removal appointment is to do just that - remove your braces and place your retainers!!! This appointment usually takes 1½ hours to complete. Complimentary pagers are available for your convenience should you choose to leave the office, however you are always welcome to remain for the entire appointment.

General Appointment Information

Scheduling Appointments: As you leave the office after each adjustment stop by the front desk and make your appointment for the following adjustment. In scheduling ahead we are able to better accommodate your time requirements.

Missed Appointments: Should you miss an appointment, we request the donation of a New Board Game for a child from the age of 7 to 12 years to be brought to the office at the next appointment. This Board Game will be donated to the Humanitarian Birthday Project for poverty stricken children in DuPage County.

Payment and Office Policies

Cost

The cost of treatment depends on the treatment indicated for the individual patient. You will be able to discuss fees and payment options before treatment begins. We have payment plans to suit different budgets. We also accept assignment from most insurance plans, and file the necessary papers to the insurance company. We work hard to make orthodontics affordable.

Fees

In an effort to keep orthodontic fees down while maintaining the highest level of professional care, we have established this financial policy:

• If full payment is made at the onset of treatment, we will offer a fee discount (if you have insurance, we will offer a discount for payment of your portion of the fee that will not be covered by insurance).
• To fit your individual needs, financial arrangements can be made to extend your payments over a period of months.
• For your convenience, we accept payment by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and monthly automatic credit card payments.
• In cases of serious delinquency, treatment will be discontinued, although we will make every effort to accommodate patients with temporary difficulties.

Insurance

If you have insurance, we will help you to determine the coverage you have available. We ask that you assign your insurance benefit to us. The balance will be arranged for you to pay (see above). Professional care is provided to you, our patient, and not to an insurance company. Thus, the insurance company is responsible to the patient and the patient is responsible to the doctor. We will help in every way we can in filing your claim and handling insurance questions from our office on your behalf.

Form Downloads

Click HERE to download the Blue Form. (PDF, 62k)

Click HERE to download the HIPPA Form. (PDF, 92k)