Your First Visit

What to Expect —

Each patient is unique with different orthodontic needs. Your first visit to Dr. Engel is an important step in dental care. Dr. Engel examines your teeth, soft tissues, alignment, and bite. Dr. Engel identifies existing and potential problems, discussing what he can do to correct or improve your condition. During your initial visit, you will gain general and specific information tailored to your orthodontic needs. Using our computerized imaging system in the Greenville & Clarksdale offices, we will provide you with a set of computer-generated photographs to help explain your condition.

At your initial visit, if Dr. Engel determines it is too soon to begin orthodontic treatment, you will be placed in our "Observation and Guidance Program". We will contact you to schedule periodic checkups to monitor you teeth growth and development pattern.

Diagnostic Records

Once Dr. Engel determines it is necessary to proceed with orthodontic treatment, we will take diagnostic records of your teeth. Records consist of panorex and cephalometric x-rays, orthodontic impressions, bite registration, and a thorough clinical examination of your teeth. Dr. Engel uses this information to determine any problems that need to be corrected, creating a custom treatment plan for each patient, including your case fee.

Banding Appointment

The banding appointment, the appointment during which Dr. Engel places the braces on your teeth, takes approximately two hours. Dr. Engel applies the braces to the outside surface of your teeth with a procedure called bonding. During the banding appointment, not only will you receive your braces, but you will also be given oral hygiene instructions, including a list of foods not to eat while wearing braces.

Regular Appointments

After receiving your braces, we will see you for adjustment visits approximately every four to six weeks, which average 25 to 35 minutes per visit. During these visits, we change your colored elastics and archwires, which move your teeth. Patients are seen by appointment only. We make every effort and pride ourselves on being on time for each patient. Due to the number of school-age patients, we schedule orthodontic appointments during school hours. As a courtesy to our patients, we have an automated calling system to remind them of their appointments.

In-Office Orthodontic Laboratory and Retainers

Soon after we remove your braces, Dr. Engel will provide you with customized retainers. Our office is equipped with a full Orthodontic Laboratory on site; therefore our patients receive their new retainers the same or next day following the removal of their braces. This is such an advantage over the average unequipped/laboratory of orthodontic offices which must refer out their lab work, usually taking as long as two weeks to retrieve and deliver retainers to their patients. By choosing colors and patterns, patients may individualize their retainers.

Payment & Office Policies

If full payment is made at the onset of full phase treatment, we will offer a fee discount.
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.

Insurance

If you have insurance, we will help you determine the coverage you have available. Dr. Engel accepts most orthodontic insurance plans. We will file your claim and assist you in handling your insurance and answer questions from our office on your behalf.

Convenient Online Services

We know how busy you are. That's why we're committed to providing you superior, leading-edge service. With our secure online service you will be able to:

View your appointment and account information any time
Sign up for email or text appointment reminders
Check your payment history and see current charges

All of this is available by following the link: https://www.ortho-isis.com/Customer/engelsmiles.asp