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Welcome to Dr. Waldman's office! As a parent, we know that there are many questions you may have regarding your child's orthodontic treatment. We hope that this section helps to answer some of these questions.
What will happen at our first appointment?
When is the right age to start orthodontic treatment?
How often will our appointments be?
How long will our treatment be?
Will our insurance pay for orthodontic treatment?
What will happen at our first appointment?
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At Dr. Waldman's office, we pride ourselves on being prepared and organized. By the time you have arrived for your consultation, our staff will
have already contacted the dentist that referred you and will have obtained any recent x-rays which may be useful for us. If there is anything
significant to know with regard to your child's recent medical or dental care, please let us know prior to your visit so that Dr. Waldman may
contact your child's dentist or physician. |
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In preparation for your first appointment, please complete the forms that were sent to you in the mail, and return them to us in the self-addressed envelope that was provided. If you need a downloadable form, please click here.
During your visit, Dr. Waldman will review your child's medical and dental histories, perform a comprehensive oral examination, and |
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discuss
the treatment options. This will include a description of the type of orthodontic appliances that will best fit your child's needs, and an estimate of the length and cost of the treatment. Our goal of this first visit is for you to become fully informed as to what your child's orthodontic problem is and the general approach we will take to fix it. You will have ample time to spend with Dr. Waldman and to ask him any questions you may have.
In order for Dr. Waldman to complete his diagnosis, we must take a full set of orthodontic records, including x-rays, photographs, and models of the teeth. This is all done in our in-house digital records laboratory. For your convenience, you may take the records after your initial examination, or you may schedule to return to take the records.
Once your child's diagnostic records have been taken, Dr. Waldman will review and study them to create an individualized, written treatment plan. Your next visit will be your final consultation, in which Dr. Waldman will present you with a thorough explanation of the diagnosis and treatment plan, and we will schedule your child to begin his or her treatment. Your payment plan and insurance information will also be finalized at this time.
If you have any questions about the new patient process, please send us an email, or contact us directly at 310-652-1515.
Once again, welcome to our practice, and we hope to see you soon to share our enthusiasm for the wonderful results we can achieve for your family!
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When is the right age to start orthodontic treatment?
One of the most frequent questions that we are asked is "When is the right time for kids to start orthodontic treatment?" The answer will be different for each individual child. Many problems are best treated when the full eruption of all permanent teeth occurs (this is usually between ages ten and thirteen), but there are some problems which require treatment at an earlier age (seven to ten). Because each child develops at their own pace and presents with a unique set of needs (both biological and psycho-social), Dr. Waldman believes in arriving at an individual diagnosis for each child, so that the treatment rendered is both appropriate and efficient. This is done through careful analysis and interpretation of the diagnostic records (x-rays, models of the teeth, etc.). You can be sure that after completing the consultation process, you and your child will have a very thorough understanding of the problem at hand and the proposed treatment plan.
How often will our appointments be?
Once your child has entered active treatment, the appointments will generally be every four to six weeks (for approximately thirty minutes), and these can be scheduled after school. The first few appointments, when we place the braces or the appliances, are generally longer appointments. These appointments are scheduled in the morning, when Dr. Waldman and his staff have the time to give the appropriate amount of attention to these important procedures.
How long will our treatment take?
Treatment time typically ranges from one to two years, depending on the growth of the patient's mouth and face and the severity of the problem. Each individual person grows at a different rate and will respond differently to orthodontic treatment. The patient's diligent use of any prescribed appliance is an important factor in achieving the best, most efficient treatment result. Interceptive, or early treatment procedures, may take as little as six months.
Will our insurance pay for orthodontics?
Every insurance company is different with regard to orthodontic coverage. Please bring your insurance card with you to your visit, and we will contact the insurance company to determine your benefit. If you have any specific questions, please contact the front desk by email or phone.
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Dr. Alexander B. Waldman, Orthodontist |
99 N La Cienega Blvd Suite 301, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 |
Tel. 310.652.1515 |
Fax. 310.652.1717
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Orthodontic Website by Sesame Design™
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