PATIENT INFO

Your First Visit

Initial Exam.

Moments after arrival, each patient personally meets with our New Patient Coordinator and then with Dr. Cash, who will explain what's going to happen and why. This leaves no room for surprises. We believe that the more our patients know about their teeth, the more comfortable they'll be with the treatment process.

It is important for Dr. Cash to understand what concerns you most about your teeth and how you would like to see your smile improved. Your first appointment will include a full oral examination and photographs. If Dr. Cash determines that orthodontic treatment is needed, orthodontic x-rays and impressions of the teeth may be taken also. These pieces of information -- x-rays, impressions, photos -- are called Diagnostic Records.

Diagnostic Records.

In addition to examining the patient, Dr. Cash uses the Diagnostic Records to establish the best course of treatment. They are the important tools he needs to create a treatment plan.

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Please assist us by providing the following information at the time of your first visit:

Completed Health History Questionnaire
Copy of Dental Insurance Card, if applicable
Completed HIPPA Documents

The time spent with Dr. Cash during your initial exam is very important to us -- and hopefully to you as well. We appreciate your arriving promptly. If an emergency arises and you are unable to keep this appointment, please notify us as soon as possible so that your appointment time may be given to another patient. Click here for more information on how orthodontic treatment begins.

Your Treatment Plan.

If Dr. Cash has determined that treatment is needed and after diagnostic records have been collected, Dr. Cash will review them to formulate the best course of treatment for you. Your next appointment, or Treatment Conference, will allow you to discuss his plan with our New Patient Coordinator. She will assist you in scheduling the necessary appointments to begin your orthodontic treatment and in setting up financial arrangements.

General Dental Care.

Before any orthodontic treatment, your family dentist should make certain that all cavities have been treated and the health of your gums and underlying bone are free of periodontal disease.

In addition, your dentist or an oral surgeon will remove any teeth that Dr. Cash prescribed to correct your bite. (Why do baby teeth sometimes need to be pulled?) Your family dentist should also schedule cleaning and cavity checkup visits during your orthodontic care. We would like to reinforce the need to keep your regular visits with your family dentist because we are only an aid to your family dentist and not a replacement.

Please contact our office at (502) 227-1931 if you have any questions. The timing of your treatment is very important. You or your child may or may not be ready for treatment. Therefore, a consultation will allow us to better understand your needs.

Length of Treatment.

Time spent wearing braces may be between 6 months to 30 months or longer depending on the age of the patient, the severity of the problem, the patient's cooperation and the degree of movement possible.

Successive Visits.

Periodic visits are an important part of orthodontic treatment. Generally, we will want to see you every 6 to 8 weeks to check your progress and make adjustments to your braces. During this time, you will need to keep appointments, follow instructions, eat nutritiously and practice good oral hygiene. Also continue to visit your dentist regularly.

Our Pledge Throughout Treatment.

We promise to treat your child in the same manner we want to be treated. We will communicate openly and honestly with your child and expect the same in return. We will patiently answer any questions your child has and work diligently to earn their trust and cooperation. It is important that your children see the same trust and cooperation in our relationship with you. We will do these things while also working to complete the treatment required by Dr. Cash. This process will require skill and our focus.

So that we may focus on safely providing your child's necessary treatment it is essential that we limit occupancy in our clinic area to only the patient and staff. Because you share this concern for your child's safety, we are asking for your help. Siblings or friends of patients are not permitted to enter the clinic area. Parents will be allowed to enter only at the request of the doctor or clinician for chairside instruction.

We make this request after careful consideration of how we may provide the most focused, undivided attention to our patients, while keeping them safe and earning their trust.

Retainers.

Once your braces are removed, retainers are used to hold your teeth in their new positions until your bone, gums and muscles adapt to the new teeth positions. The retention period is an important part of your overall treatment and should not be neglected! We promise that if you don't wear your retainers, your teeth will not stay straight!