Bellevue, WA (Washington) Orthodontist Rod Nordberg, DDS

Your First Visit: The Initial Orthodontic Examination

At the first, we make a visual evaluation of your overall bite and teeth alignment. This is an excellent time for patients and parents to ask questions about your bite concerns and about treatment options. We make every effort to clearly discuss timing of treatment, benefits of treatment for your specific orthodontic problems and potential consequences of not treating those problems. At this first appointment, we also review your medical/dental history (which you will have provided when you fill out our first visit questionnaire).

Your Second Visit: Diagnostic Records

At this appointment (which can often be done immediately at the end of the first appointment) we take digital photos, x-rays and imprints of the teeth. From the imprints, we are able to make plaster replicas or "models" of the upper and lower sets of teeth. The models, photographs, and x-rays are used by Dr. Nordberg to make a detailed evaluation of your bite and to develop a custom treatment plan. (These records are also helpful in gauging progress of treatment as the teeth move under orthodontic care.)

Your Third Visit: Treatment Plan Consultation

After thorough review of your diagnostic records, Dr. Nordberg will discuss your treatment options with you in detail. Included in this discussion will be: expected benefits of treatment and any other dental treatments(s) that may need to be coordinated with your orthodontics treatment. Cost of treatment and payment options will also be presented at this appointment.

Regular Appointments

The "start-up" appointment (when you get your braces, expanders, etc.) usually takes from one to two hours. You'll then see us at regular intervals 4 to 8 weeks apart for an adjustment, which takes 20 to 40 minutes. Patients are seen by appointment only. We make every effort to be on time for our patients, and ask that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify us immediately. Cancel only if it is an emergency. It is difficult to reschedule you since most appointments are made 4 to 8 weeks in advance.

Payment & Office Policies

Cost

The cost of treatment depends on the severity of the patient's problem. You will be able to discuss fees and payment options before treatment begins. We have payment plans to suit different budgets, including a no-down-payment option. We also accept assignment from most insurance plans, and file the necessary papers to the insurance company. We work hard to make orthodontics affordable.

Fees

In an effort to keep orthodontic fees down while maintaining the highest level of professional care, we have established this financial policy:

If full payment is made at the onset of treatment, we will offer a fee discount. (If you have insurance, we will offer a discount for payment of your portion of the fee that will not be covered by insurance.)
To fit your individual needs, financial arrangements can be made to extend your payments over a period of months.
For your convenience, we accept payment by VISA and MASTERCARD.
In cases of serious delinquency, treatment will be delayed or discontinued, although we will make every effort to accommodate patients with temporary difficulties.

Insurance

If you have insurance, we will help you to determine the coverage you have available. We ask that you assign your insurance benefit to us. The balance will be arranged for you to pay (see above). Professional care is provided to you, our patient, and not to an insurance company. Thus, the insurance company is responsible to the patient and the patient is responsible to the doctor. We will help in every way we can in filing your claim and handling insurance questions from our office on your behalf.