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What to expect on your first visit

What to expect on your first visit to the orthodontist

Your first visit to our office is exciting! It’s a time for you to get to know us, and to find out more about what types of treatment would work best for your case. Most patients who visit us aren’t sure what to expect during their first visit. Because having an idea of what to expect can help to make people feel more comfortable, we would like to give you an outline of what will happen during your first visit.

Talking to the orthodontist

The first part of the visit will involve speaking with Dr. AlJanabi. You’ll have a discussion about your concerns with your smile and your goals for your treatment. He’ll ask you questions about your medical and dental history. He’ll also want to know what your preferences are for treatment. Additionally, this is a chance for you to get to know Dr. AlJanabi and his approach to orthodontics.

Exam 

In order to determine what treatment plan would be best for you, Dr. AlJanabi will first need to determine what alignment problems you have. He will perform a thorough examination. This will involve a few minutes in the chair, during which he’ll look inside your mouth to see the positions of the teeth and gums and their relationships to each other.

Imaging

While a physical examination is not enough to see the roots of the teeth and any teeth that are still below the gums, a panoramic X-ray can provide Dr. Aljanabi with a more comprehensive view of the mouth. Taking the panoramic X-ray is a fairly quick process as the actual scan lasts less than a minute. The X-ray machine rotates around your head to get images of your entire mouth, including both jaw bones and all of the tooth roots. Using this information, Dr. AlJanabi can predict how your teeth will move during treatment.

Impressions/Scan

Dr. AlJanabi will also take impressions of your mouth. This is creates a 3D model of your teeth and gums, which is then used for treatment planning and the manufacturing of appliances. The old way of taking these impressions was through the use of a clay-like substance that you bite down on for a few minutes: many of our patients didn’t enjoy this process. Fortunately, technology has made this no longer necessary. Our office uses iTero, the latest technology, which enables digital impressions. A handheld wand to scans the inside of the mouth as a computer then creates a digital 3D model of the patient’s mouth. This can be used for taking measurements, which saves you time in the chair.

Treatment Planning

After all of the information has been collected, Dr. AlJanabi will talk to you about his recommendations for your treatment. In some cases, he’ll recommend that treatment begin right away. In other cases, particularly for children, he may recommend waiting. Dr. AlJanabi will be completely transparent with you about why he’s making these particular recommendations. He’ll take the time to answer any questions that you may have, and will offer all of the information you need to make your decisions about your treatment.

Your Brooklyn and Staten Island orthodontist is ready to meet you!

Dr. AlJanabi has lived in this area for nearly his entire life and he really enjoys creating perfect smiles for the people of Brooklyn and Staten Island. Please contact our office to schedule your appointment. We’ll be happy to see you at either our of our two office locations, in Brooklyn or Staten Island. Why wait any longer? It’s time to start your journey toward that perfect smile.