OFFICE POLICIES

Your First Visit

We feel it is important to give you the information you need to make informed decisions about your orthodontic care. For this reason, your first visit to our office is free of charge. For your first visit, please take the time to fill out the new patient information form that was mailed to you or was downloaded from this web site.

Patient Information Form

At this appointment, a complimentary digital X-ray called a Panorex is usually taken. This X-ray shows all of your teeth in one view. Dr. Resnick will review this X-ray with you to make professional recommendations as to what treatment is needed and when the best time to start treatment would be. He will discuss the anticipated length of treatment, any appliances in addition to braces that may be used and your expected results. He will address any questions and concerns you have regarding your orthodontic treatment. Because your dentist is an important member of your orthodontic team, we will communicate these findings with him or her as a complimentary service to you. At this visit, our treatment coordinator will review with you the anticipated cost of your treatment, insurance coverage, and the payment plans available to you.

Treatment Time

Treatment time can range from 1-3 years depending on the growth of the patient's mouth and the severity of their malocclusion. Your cooperation in following the doctor's instructions exactly and keeping your scheduled appointments will be an important factor in achieving excellent results in the time frame we estimated.

The Next Step

Orthodontic records consisting of dental impressions of upper and lower teeth, X-rays, and photographs of your face teeth and bite will be taken. These records provide information which allows Dr. Resnick to develop an individualized treatment plan to confirm his findings at the initial examination. Small elastic separators are placed in between your molar teeth at this appointment to make a small space in between them to allow for the placement of a metal ring called a band at your next appointment.

The Banding Appointment

For most patients, the next appointment after the records appointment is the one where you get your braces. Dr. Resnick has formulated a treatment plan and braces are placed by a skilled technician according to this treatment plan. There are no "shots" necessary to have your braces placed and most patients report that this appointment is painless. We will give you instructions on how to care for your new braces and you can begin collecting special wooden tokens to save for prizes as you continue in your orthodontic treatment.

Regular Appointments

The appointment when you get your appliances (braces, expanders, etc.) usually takes from one to two hours. This appointment takes place in our Glenwood Springs office. You'll then see us at regular intervals of 4 to 8 weeks for an adjustment, which takes 20 to 40 minutes. These visits usually can be scheduled in our satellite offices if its location is more convenient for you. Patients are seen by appointment only. We make every effort to be on time for our patients and ask that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify us immediately. Cancel only if it is an emergency. It is difficult to reschedule you since most appointments are made 4 to 8 weeks in advance.

Payment & Office Policies

Cost

The cost of treatment depends on the severity of the patient's problem. You will be able to discuss fees and payment options before treatment begins. We have payment plans to suit different budgets, including a no-down-payment option through an outside finance company. We also accept assignment from most insurance plans and we will 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 an accounting fee discount of 5%.
• To fit your individual needs, financial arrangements can be made to extend your payments over a period of months equal to or less than your anticipated treatment time.
• For your convenience, monthly payments are automatically drafted using Visa, Mastercard and/or Discover.
• In cases of serious delinquency, treatment will be discontinued or transferred to another practitioner, 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.