Thank you for scheduling a complimentary consultation at Dixon Orthodontics! Plan to spend about one hour at the office. At your consultation, you will be greeted by our new patient care coordinator who will escort you to the consultation suite. After a series of photos and x-rays, Dr. Dixon will perform an examination to determine your orthodontic needs. We will discuss your goals and concerns and explain the recommended treatment plan. After meeting with Dr. Dixon, you will have the opportunity to discuss scheduling and cost with our new patient care coordinator. There is no charge for this visit.

If you notice crooked teeth, adult teeth not growing in, or anything unusual about your child’s bite, you can contact an orthodontist directly without needing a referral. The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that all children be evaluated by an orthodontist around age seven. This is because certain conditions can be treated more effectively at an earlier stage of dentition. Consultation are always complimentary, and we are happy to provide an opinion.

We offer three types of braces: traditional metal brackets, clear ceramic brackets, and clear aligners. Each type has pros and cons. Metal braces are durable, cost-efficient, and effective. They do require you to avoid hard or chewy foods, and require extra care to ensure optimum hygiene. Ceramic brackets are similar to metal brackets, but, because they are semi-translucent, they are barely noticeable on your teeth.

Treatment times vary according to individual needs, but generally range from six months to two years. An additional year of retention check-ups may be recommended.

It takes a while for your mouth to get used to braces. When they are first put on, the insides of your mouth will experience some chafing. Before long, however, the skin will toughen up and you won’t notice you are wearing braces at all. At each adjustment, you may experience additional soreness. We recommend over the counter pain relievers and soft foods for up to seventy-two hours.

The cost of orthodontic treatment varies according to the length of time required and the type of braces or appliances used. Regardless of your specific needs, we are committed to making your treatment plan affordable. We are in-network with major insurance and we offer in-house financing for qualified patients. We will work with you to determine a payment plan that fits your budget. A complete breakdown of costs will be presented to you at your complimentary consultation.

Yes! Adults can get traditional braces, however many prefer to use clear aligners instead. At Dixon Orthodontics, we use a highly customized, in-house aligner system called Smart Smile. Smart Smile offers all the advantages of invisalign, but without the exorbitant costs. And unlike at-home DIY aligners, you get the comfort and reassurance that comes with working under the direction of a certified, trained orthodontist. We have experienced lots of success with Smart Smile and we encourage you to try it!

It may take some time, but you will get used to playing sports or playing an instrument with braces. We recommend that you wear a mouthguard when playing any contact sports. Shock Dr. brand makes mouthguards that fit over braces.

The most common statement we hear at the front desk is “My child can’t miss school…” As parents ourselves, we understand the pressure students face to be present everyday, especially in middle school and high school. Because the majority of our patients are school-aged, we cannot promise that your child will never miss school due to an orthodontic appointment. We do try, however, to accommodate our patients’ schedules by providing both before and after school appointment times. The best way to secure popular after-school appointments is to schedule well in advance and keep your appointment!