Patient Care
Welcome to our office! We look forward to meeting you and hope that the information on this website will make your first visit easier and more enjoyable.
Your first appointment will consist of a comprehensive examination and diagnosis by Dr. Barnett. You'll start off with one of our Treatment Coordinators: Krista, Kiley, or Joy. She will take some pictures of your face and teeth, take a quick look around your mouth, and (most importantly) talk with you about what your concerns are. Then Dr. Barnett will join you for an assessment of your current and future orthodontic needs, treatment options, and anticipated treatment timeline.
Your Treatment Coordinator will then be available to discuss further details and answer any questions you may have, including outlining our fees and payment plan options. The emphasis of this visit is on determining your wants and expectations, and consulting with you to decide on the best approach to reach those goals.
As everyone who works with Dr. Barnett will tell you, questions are encouraged from both the patient and parent. It is our priority to ensure that you never feel rushed and that everything is explained in as much detail as you need. We will give you the personal attention you deserve!
Stages of Treatment
Youth Treatment
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends children be screened by an Orthodontist at age 7. At this time in their lives, they obviously have a lot of growing to do, but usually have anywhere between 4 and 12 permanent adult teeth. Although the majority of issues will be treated later on in a child's dental development, there are specific dental issues which are BEST treated when kids are young, and Dr. Barnett can let you know your options in this regard.
The goal of early/interceptive treatment is usually quite specific, and NOT meant to fix every single issue. The truth is that there is so much change in the teeth and jaws to come, we want to focus on fixing the problems that will only get worse as time goes by. Some examples of issues that are generally best dealt with as part of "early" treatment include: a small upper jaw, cross-bite, loss of space for the eventual adult teeth (usually due to premature loss of a baby tooth and subsequent drifting of neighbouring teeth into the space), thumb- or finger-sucking habits, and some severe cases of deep overbite or crowded teeth.
Other times it is the parents who may choose to correct a problem early, especially if their child is having self-esteem issues because of their teeth. An example of this is a child with crowded teeth who, for whatever reason (perhaps from being teased at school), is starting to refuse to smile and may make comments about how they hate their crooked teeth, etc. Telling this child that they have to wait several years to get their teeth fixed (in the name of orthodontic efficiency), may not be the best option.
Rest assured that Dr. Barnett and his Treatment Coordinators will always thoroughly discuss all your options so you can make the best decision for your child....after all, we want the best for them, and as their parent only you know what that is!
Adolescent Treatment
The majority of patients begin treatment between 11 and 15 years of age. There are good reasons for this, and also several advantages to starting treatment at this time. By the age of 12, most of you will have all of your adult teeth in place, which allows us to properly assess your bite and identify any problems such as crowding, cross-bite, and overbite. You will also still be growing, which means that we can take advantage of growth spurts to help correct your bite. While braces still dominate this age group, more and more teens are choosing Invisalign; Dr. Barnett can help you decide what is the best option for you and your teen.
Some other benefits to having braces or Invisalign at this age? Well, chances are a number of your friends have them too, so you'll fit right in! Also, because you are still growing and changing, treatment time is shorter than if you were to straighten your teeth as an adult.
Adult Treatment
An increasingly higher percentage of our patients are adults looking to finally have their turn in the orthodontic chair, or perhaps address some relapse from previous orthodontic treatment. Orthodontics can be an integral part of your overall dental health by correcting your bite and straightening your teeth to improve appearance, avoid abnormal or uneven tooth wear and gum recession, assist in treating TMJ disorders, or idealize position in preparation for restorative work by your general dentist. Or, maybe you just want to "keep it simple" and, if appropriate, we can line up those smilin' teeth with Invisalign. It's up to you.
The use of current technology in orthodontics today means that there are more options than ever before for adult patients. Tooth-coloured braces and Invisalign are aesthetic alternatives that can help you feel more confident during treatment as well.
No Referral Required
Caring for Braces
You’ll get some tips on how to keep things clean when you’re in our office, but these videos are great reminders, and can give you an up-close demonstration of what you should be doing to keep things clean so you’ll avoid decay and various gum problems.
If you have an appliance (sometimes used before, after, or instead of braces), there is some information here on how to take care of that as well. The last thing we have included for you is a list of foods to avoid while undergoing orthodontic treatment.
It is important that you keep up regular visits with your general dentist and hygienist. They will be able to give you tips on how to keep things clean, and monitor your teeth and gums for any problems that arise during treatment.
Video: Flossing with Braces
What about Finances? Insurance? Appointment Scheduling?
Appointments
We do our best to work with your schedule when booking appointments, but keep in mind that before and after school times are the most popular and therefore can fill up quickly!
Please let us know prior to your appointment time if there are any additional issues you need dealt with (for example, a lost bracket or broken retainer). This will allow us to plan for the extra time we will need to correct the problem.
Insurance
Many dental insurance plans offer some orthodontic benefits. We are happy to help you through the process of determining the extent of your coverage and applying for reimbursement once treatment has begun. If you have any questions, our team members are always available to help answer them.
Financial
It is our goal to provide you with the quality treatment you deserve at a price that you can afford. We offer a variety of financial plans and payment methods, which will be discussed with you in detail at your first visit so that you can make a decision that best suits your needs.
