Children and Teenagers The first orthodontic visit for children and adolescents

The first visit procedure for orthodontics for children and adolescents in our office lasts about an hour. Anamnestic information will be collected, a diagnosis will be made, and a written report will be issued for the family and one for the referring pediatrician (or other doctor). Therefore, for example, you will be asked questions related to previous illnesses, surgical interventions, and also to habits of daily life. If recent head x-rays are available, we recommend that you bring them to your appointment because they may be useful. In fact, the orthodontic diagnosis is based not only on the patient’s physical examination, but also on the so-called “cephalometry” or the measurement of the anatomical structures of the skull to identify deviations from the norm through comparison with specific statistical analysis for age and sex. To perform these measurements it is necessary to have a specific lateral x-ray of the head of good quality. This radiograph, together with another of the whole mouth (panoramic), allows the formulation of an accurate diagnosis. Both radiographs can be performed, only if necessary, using the latest generation digital apparatus at our office with the following advantages:

• 80% reduction of X-rays compared to common analog techniques
• obtaining the best image quality available today
• no waiting time
• easy storage

Also on the first visit, digital photographs will then be taken according to the congressional standards of the mouth and face. The goal of all this is to collect important information to allow an accurate diagnosis. By using digital technology, we will not only provide you with the best images available but we will also help reduce the waste of paper, toner and printers with a focus on ecology. Although we take care to be punctual at every appointment, in spite of ourselves, small delays may occur, perhaps due to some unforeseeable urgency. In any case, it will be our responsibility to inform you about waiting times upon your arrival. If, on the other hand, you are unable to meet the appointment you have made, please contact the office as soon as possible (at least 24 hours before) to allow the agenda to be changed.

Adults The first visit for adults

In a very similar way to the first visit of children and adolescents, adults are also reserved one hour of visit in order to collect information regarding the problems complained of and the current state of health of the patient. Therefore, for example, you will be asked questions about previous illnesses, drugs taken, therapies previously practiced and habits of daily life. Particular attention will then be paid to the evaluation of the temporo-mandibular joint and, if necessary, we will complete a special questionnaire together (see attachment) to collect more detailed information. It is recommended to bring all the radiographs and all the documentation of the instrumental tests available to the visit. In temporomandibular pathologies, where necessary, we can perform radiographs and stratigraphies directly in our office with a digital machine to obtain a better immediate diagnosis, without waiting times and reducing irradiation compared to analogue techniques. Similarly, in orthodontic cases we will be able to immediately carry out all the radiographic documentation necessary for an evaluation in the office and therefore at the end of the visit you will come out with a printed diagnosis and a possible detailed estimate for the necessary therapies, in maximum transparency. We will then take digital photographs to better explain and document the therapeutic needs and all the photographic and textual documentation will be inserted on a 2 Gb USB stick that we will give you. By using digital technology, we will not only provide you with the best images available but we will also help reduce the waste of paper, toner and printers with a focus on ecology. Although we take care to be punctual at every appointment, in spite of ourselves, small delays may occur, perhaps due to some unforeseeable urgency. In any case, it will be our responsibility to inform you about waiting times upon your arrival. If, on the other hand, you are unable to meet the appointment you have made, please contact the office as soon as possible (at least 24 hours before) to allow the agenda to be changed.