Your First Orthodontic Visit

At Mattingly & Howell Orthodontics, we are always excited about the opportunity to meet new patients and see how our team can help them achieve the smile they have always wanted. Whether you or your child is a patient at our Louisville, Bardstown or Lebanon, Kentucky offices, from the first day you enter our office you will be treated with exceptional care and professionalism in safe and comfortable surroundings. 

Upon your first visit to Mattingly & Howell Orthodontics, our new patient coordinator will guide you through your first appointment to ensure that your questions are answered and your individual concerns are addressed. Your first visit will consist of the following:

• We will complete a thorough examination, allowing us to determine if you will benefit from orthodontic treatment.
• We will estimate the recommended treatment duration and provide an estimate of the cost.
• If appropriate, we will also take diagnostic records.
• Our new patient coordinator will review the financial aspects of care, including possible payment options.

Not every first-time visitor receives a recommendation of orthodontic care. In this case, we will ask the patient to return periodically for complimentary check-ups to monitor their growth and development so that treatment can begin at the most favorable time, ensuring the best results. If Dr. Mattingly, Dr. Howell or Dr. Oliver deem that treatment is appropriate and diagnostic records are taken, they will diagnose and plan your treatment. After that, we ask that you return to our office two weeks after the diagnostic records are taken for a treatment consultation visit.

Treatment Consultation Visit

At the treatment consultation visit, we will review your treatment plan. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions and discuss the suggested treatment in detail. Comprehensive costs of the suggested treatment will be reviewed, and we will begin scheduling future appointments. It is very important to us that you come away from the treatment consultation visit with a clear understanding of your individual orthodontic needs, how those needs will be met, how long treatment will take and how much it will cost. We always want you to feel comfortable asking any questions that you may have about any portion of the orthodontic treatment process.

Treatment Time and Appointments

The initial placement of braces generally takes one to two hours. Subsequent appointments are fairly short and usually occur every 6-10 weeks. Although we will do our best to accommodate your scheduling needs, you should expect to miss some school or work during your orthodontic treatment.

Just as no two people are exactly alike, no two orthodontic treatment plans are exactly the same. At Mattingly & Howell Orthodontics, we promise to give you the personalized attention and care that you deserve in order to achieve the most efficient and effective results. If you have any questions about your first visit with us, or would like to schedule one, please contact one of our Kentucky locations today!