office visits

Office Visits

 

Our greatest goal is to give you the healthy, straight, beautiful smile that you've always wanted. We understand that choosing to receive orthodontic care is a big decision, and we respect your reasons for wanting to improve the way you look and feel. Our practice will work with you every step of the way to make sure that your orthodontic care is as rewarding as possible. Our practice utilizes the latest technology, offering a variety of safe and gentle treatment options to give you the customized, individual care you deserve.
 
Every smile starts with an initial consultation!
 

Initial Consultation

Your initial consultation will give you the opportunity to meet Dr. Caplan and our team, learn more about orthodontics, receive a complete initial exam, and find out which treatment options will best meet your needs. This visit will be approximately 30-40 minutes and can be scheduled to accommodate every family's busy lifestyle. 

 
During your initial consultation, we will:
  • Review your dental and medical history forms
  • Provide a complete oral exam to determine whether treatment is necessary
  • Inform you on the benefits of orthodontic treatment  (functional & esthetic)
  • Discuss insurance benefit information and review payment plan options
 
Our team will be glad to answer any questions you may have and provide all of the information that you need to determine which treatment is right for you. Please contact our practice at 973-376-6611 to schedule your initial consultation.
 

What happens after the initial consultation?

Diagnostic Records Appointment:

The records appointment can be scheduled immediately following the initial consultation.  This visit is where a clinical team member will assist Dr. Caplan in gathering the necessary information about your bite to determine the appropriate way to treat your smile. This appointment will last approximately 45 minutes and if time permits, can also be scheduled immediately follow the initial consultation. At the conclusion of this visit, you will have the following diagnostic records:

  • Impressions - Molds of your upper and lower teeth
  • Photographs of your teeth and face
  • Digital Lateral Ceph.  - A profile image to evaluate jaw and tooth position
  • Digital Panoramic Film - An image to evaluate tooth development and root position
No part of the records visit will be uncomfortable and only records that are absolutely necessary for an accurate and complete diagnosis will be taken.
 

Treatment Plan Conference:

Following the diagnostic records visit, Dr. Caplan will need some time to carefully study the information, therefore a separate treatment plan consultation visit will be scheduled.   This visit will usually last 30-40 minutes. At this consultation, Dr. Caplan will review all of the records, treatment options, and proposed orthodontic treatment plan sequence with you. 

 
This visit is to encourage family/patient dialogue so there will be plenty of time to answer any questions you may have.  While not required, if the treatment is for your child, he or she is welcomed to attend.  The financial coordinator will review all insurance information with you at this time and payment plans and options will be discussed.
 
You're one step closer to achieving the smile you've always wanted!

Scheduling Appointments   

At the conclusion of the treatment consultation, appointments to begin orthodontic treatment may be scheduled.
 

Appliance Placement:  

At this appointment Dr. Caplan will place your new orthodontic appliance. This is an exciting moment for children, parents, and also our adult patients. Some procedures may take about 1-2 hours and during this time our team will be available to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible. After your appliance placement we will review hygiene and home care. A starter home care kit will also be provided.

 
Due to the amount of time needed, this appointment must be scheduled during school or work hours. When possible our front desk coordinators will do their best to be as accommodating as possible.
 
We welcome parents to stay for the duration of this visit, however, you are free to run errands if desired.
 

Adjustment Appointments:  

Visiting the orthodontist about every four, six, or eight weeks is an important part of your orthodontic treatment. It is important for your treatment success not to miss your appointments. These appointments may take 20-30 minutes, we will make every effort to ensure that your appointments are as convenient as possible. However, there will be times that it may be necessary to schedule these adjustments during the day.

Every effort will be made when scheduling appointments to accommodate you during non-school or non-work hours. Please let us know what days and times work best for you.
 
We will send appointment reminders via e-mail and text messaging.
Please provide this information when you are in our office!
 

Debonding Appointment:       

Great job, congratulations! This is the most exciting part of treatment. Your appliances are being removed and you can show your new smile to the world!  This visit will take 1 ½ hours and just like the first appliance placement appointment it must be scheduled during the day. Also, at this appointment final photos and impressions will be taken and 2 weeks later, retainers will be placed to help maintain your new beautiful smile.

Changing the world one smile at a time!

Retainers:  

You are now in the most important stage of your orthodontic treatment! During these appointments Dr. Caplan will continue to check how your retainers are fitting and that your teeth have remained in the final position we have placed them. These appointments may take 10-15 minutes and can be generally scheduled during non-school or non-work hours.

 
We understand that “life happens”!  If you're running late or need to reschedule, please let us know via email or by calling our office and we will do everything we can to accommodate you with a new appointment date and time.
 
 

Visiting the dentist during orthodontic treatment     

It is very important that you continue to visit your family dentist once every three to six months, even during your orthodontic treatment, for teeth cleanings and routine dental checkups. If extra dental care is needed, we will be happy to coordinate with your family dentist to make sure that you are receiving the best care possible.