Our objective is to make sure your visits with us will be pleasant and informative. Your initial appointment will consist of an examination and a discussion of potential treatment options. This important visit will address the orthodontic needs of you or your child.
Please assist us by providing the following information at the time of your first visit:
Please alert the office if you have a medical condition that may be of concern (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, artificial heart valves and joints, rheumatic fever, etc.) or if you are on any medication (i.e. heart medications, aspirin, anticoagulant therapy, etc.) or if you have any allergies (esp latex allergies.)
Broken Appointments: If for some reason you cannot make it to your appointment, please contact our office at 254-968-6392. By doing so you allow another patient to use that time as well as reschedule your appointment. If it is after hours leave your name and number and a brief message on our answering machine and we will return your call as soon as possible. If it is an emergency please call our main office number and you will be given instructions to call an emergency number directly to one of the staff members.
If it is determined that treatment is indicated, you will be scheduled for diagnostic records. If possible, according to your schedule and ours we may take records the same day. These records usually consist of study models, diagnostic photographs and orthodontic x-rays.
Once these orthodontic records have been obtained, Dr. Hubbard will review them and determine a specific treatment plan for your orthodontic needs. Then our office will give you a call to review your treatment plan, set up the necessary appointments to begin your orthodontic treatment and set up financial arrangements for you.
Periodic visits are an important part of orthodontic treatment. Generally, we will want to see you every 4 to 8 weeks to check your progress and make adjustments to your braces. During this time, you will need to keep appointments, follow instructions, eat nutritiously and practice good oral hygiene. Also continue to visit your dentist regularly. Missing or rescheduling appointments can and will delay/extend treatment time.
Once your braces are removed, retainers are utilized to hold your teeth in their new positions until your bone, gums and muscles adapt to the new teeth positions. The retention period is an important part of your overall treatment and should not be neglected! Dr. Hubbard’s office recommends that retainers be worn as long as you wish for your teeth to remain straight. Hopefully, that is forever!
Braces may be on between 6 months to 30 months or longer depending on the age of the patient, the severity of the problem, the patient’s cooperation and the degree of movement possible. Patient cooperation can not be emphasized enough; generally speaking this area has the largest impact on treatment time.
Before any orthodontic treatment, your family dentist should make certain that all cavities have been treated and the health of your gums and underlying bone are free of periodontal disease.
In addition, your dentist or an oral surgeon will remove any teeth that Dr. Hubbard prescribed to correct your bite. Your family dentist should also schedule cleaning and cavity checkup visits during your orthodontic care. We would like to reinforce the need to keep your regular visits with your family dentist because we are only an aid to your family dentist and not a replacement.
Please contact our office at 254-968-6392 if you have any questions. The timing of your treatment is very important. You or your child may or may not be ready for treatment. Therefore, a consultation will allow us to better understand your needs.
At Hubbard Orthodontics, Dr. Hubbard and our dedicated team are committed to providing exceptional orthodontic care in the heart of Stephenville. We specialize in innovative treatments and personalized care plans designed to create beautiful, healthy smiles for patients of all ages. Trust your smile to our expertise and experience a brighter, more confident future.