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At what age do most children start orthodontic treatment?
Dr. Favero generally likes to see children at age seven. Sometimes there are concerns that may arise and may be cared for early on in treatment, or sometimes before treatment ever begins, in order to prevent issues that may arise in the future. Even if your child is not ready to start treatment when we first see them, we will put them on what is called "Observation" and see them back in a year or so. We will continue to check them until we are ready to start treatment and there is no fee for these appointments.
Does my general dentist have to refer me or my child to you for treatment?
No. You may contact our office directly for an initial examination. There is no requirement for referral from a dentist by our office or by insurances.
Am I going to be the only adult in the office?
Dr. Favero treats adults and children. A significant portion of our patients are adults, and you can be assured that you will not be the only adult in our office. Adults are just as concerned about their teeth as they are about their children's. Patients often comment that they have completed their children's orthodontics and now it's their turn to start the treatment they never had a chance to begin. Sometimes we even have parents and children in braces at the same time.
What is the cost of the new patient appointment?
As a courtesy to dentists, there is no fee for a new patient appointment in our office. This way if a general dentist is not sure if the patient needs orthodontic treatment (or if you're coming to our office without a referral from a dentist) this question can be answered without a parent or patient feeling they will be charged for something they didn't need. All new patient exams are complimentary.
Does Dr. Favero do Invisalign®?
Dr. Favero does provide Invisalign as an orthodontic treatment option. During your new patient exam, Dr. Favero will determine if you are a candidate for Invisalign.
Do you take ATM or credit card?
Our office does not offer ATM or credit card services of any kind. We accept cash, checks, or money orders, and automatic withdrawal from your checking or savings account.
Do you bill insurance?
As a courtesy, our office does bill insurance. If you wish to have your dental insurance billed, please provide our staff with your insurance information prior to beginning treatment. If insurance is not provided prior to starting treatment, we will assume there is no insurance coverage. Not providing our office with insurance information prior to the start of treatment may jeopardize your benefit through the insurance company due to a "pre-existing treatment clause" stated in your insurance plan. As always, any amount not covered by the insurance is the responsibility of the patient.
How do I find out if my insurance has orthodontic coverage?
Most insurance companies provide you with a pamphlet that gives you a list of what services your individual plan covers upon signing up. If you have no pamphlet, contact your insurance company at the customer service (800) number that is located on your insurance card. Or, you may contact them on the web. Most insurance companies have websites that offer plenty of information to help point you in the right direction. You can sign up for an insurance plan on the internet, or even check what services your individual plan offers.
Can you work with my Flex spending account that is through my employer?
Yes, just ask the front desk to print up a receipt for the payments you have made over the course of the year (or print up your own over the Internet), and submit it to your Flex Spending so you may be reimbursed with the money you have available in your account.
What are your office hours?
Our regular office hours are Monday through Wednesday 8am to 5pm, and Thursdays 7am to 4pm. Our summer hours are Monday through Thursday 7am to 3pm. Summer hours begin mid-June and continue through mid-August.
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How long is my/my child's treatment going to be?
Each person's treatment will vary based on the orthodontic needs of each individual. Standard treatment in our office can range anywhere from twelve to thirty-six months. As always, there are exceptions to all treatment plans based on an orthodontic diagnosis, and each individual treatment plan will contain variations. Some may require partial treatment prior to full braces being place, while others may go directly into full braces. Whatever your orthodontic needs may be, you can be assured that Dr. Favero will customize a treatment plan that best suits your orthodontic needs.
How often are my appointments?
Once you have had your new patient exam and records taken in our office, you can expect to see Dr. Favero approximately every eight weeks until you are finished with treatment. There may be times when the doctor may need to see you less often or more often if something requires a closer watch. You will always know prior to leaving the office how far out your next appointment will be.
Will I be in pain?
Some patients experience minor soreness when braces are first placed and sometimes during treatment for a short period following their appointments. Most patients find comfort by adjusting their diet to soft foods for a few days. A few require a mild pain reliever such as Tylenol or Advil.
Does Dr. Favero treat TMJ patients?
Yes, primarily on patients from his referring dentists and only on a conservative basis - Splint Therapy.
Can I have my monthly payment be automatically withdrawn from my checking/savings account every month?
Our office gives you the option to have your payment automatically withdrawn from your checking/savings account. Simply inform our office, and we will supply you with a form to fill out. You will need the name on the account (not the patient's name), the account number, your bank routing number, and a voided check to get you started.
Is it necessary to change my diet?
The day your braces are placed, our staff will review with the patient and/or parent the do's and don'ts of eating with braces. They will provide you with a list of chewy, sticky foods that you should avoid while you have braces in order to maintain and ensure a healthy treatment.
I lost my retainer. What do I do?
If you happen to lose your retainer, call our office and schedule an "impression" appointment. We will take additional impressions of your mouth and bring you back for an appointment to pick up your new retainer one week later. Dr. Favero must place the retainer into your mouth to make sure it fits.
How long do I wear my retainer?
There will be different instructions for each individual regarding retainers. Retainers are generally worn twenty-four hours/day for the first six months and the next six months at night. After a year patients should wear them enough to keep them fitting loosely. Retainers should not be tight. If they are tight it means the teeth are moving.
I want my teeth to be straight, but I don't want regular metal braces. What are my options?
In today's world, orthodontics has come a long way from standard metal braces and you have several options to choose from (all of which our office will review with you in more detail at your new patient exam).
Do you have after school appointments?
Our office rotates every other appointment to one morning and one afternoon appointment to ensure all patients have a chance to have an afternoon appointment without missing school. Since patients are seen generally every eight weeks, your child will miss just an hour or two of school in a four-month period. Longer appointments that require more extensive attention will be scheduled during late morning or early afternoon so more patients can be seen in the off-school hours. All patients have working parents and children who attend school, and our office will do our best to be fair to all patients.
How long are regular appointments?
You can expect your regular appointments to be around twenty to thirty minutes. Of course there are always exceptions. There may be times when a longer appointment is necessary for more extensive treatment, and there may be other times, when only an X-ray or quick check is required. Before you leave our office you will always be aware of the date and time of your appointment, and an estimate of how long your appointment will be.
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