Not sure what to expect at your first appointment with us? We want to make it as easy as possible when you come to see us.
Making an initial appointment:
You may have been referred to us by your dental nurse or dentist. If this is the case, you can register by calling us on 07 577 0916.
Don't worry, you don't need to be referred to visit us. If you have concerns regarding your's or your child's oral health and would like an orthodontic assessment, you can complete the self-referral form online or give us a call on 07 577 0916. From there we will book an initial appointment at a time that best suits you in either Tauranga or Whakatane.
What happens at the initial appointment?
Please allow half an hour for your initial appointment. It is also essential that you attend this appointment with your child to discuss any concerns and potential outcomes.
At your initial appointment with us, we will take a comprehensive x-ray of both your upper and lower jaw. This x-ray helps us make an accurate diagnosis and highlight any areas of concern.
Our specialist orthodontists, Mark Johnson and Justin Kearney, will assess your teeth, jaw and face to determine your specific needs. He will explain to you any problems, answer your questions and recommend treatment options, if required. You will also get an idea of the timeline of your specific treatment and the recommended next steps.
What is the cost?
The cost of your initial appointment is $135.00. This covers your appointment, your x-ray, any letters and referrals to other health practitioners and your registration. All charges are payable on the day of the appointment by either cash, cheque, credit card or eftpos.
What happens next?
Once we've assessed you or you child we will determine whether orthodontic treatment is required. In most cases comprehensive (full fixed braces) treatment is not started until around the time your child's last baby teeth are lost, which is usually around 12-13 years old. However, it's important for us to see your child earlier so we can carry out less complex treatment to reduce any problems or prevent the need for comprehensive treatment.
We may put your child on recall to monitor their oral health development. We will send a recall note to remind you of your appointment. There are no charges for recall appointments unless x-rays are needed.
If braces are the recommended treatment, you will need two appointments. At the first appointment full records are taken including photographs of your face and teeth, x-rays to get measurements of your face and skull, and moulds of your teeth. These records are evaluated and a specific treatment plan is created. Your treatment plan will be presented at your second appointment along with a written quote for treatment. The price of the records and the consultation is $285.00. This is payable at the records appointment.
Your quote for braces will include a payment plan. In general, this consists of an initial fee, payable on the day the braces are put on and the balance of the account being spread over the following 18 months. This fee also includes upper and lower retainers once braces are taken off and follow-up supervision of the retainers for two years. This will usually include four years of treatment in total. For our current rates, please phone our clinic on 07 577 0916.