Your First Visit
WELCOME:
Welcome to Orthodontics of the North Shore. Dr. Nelson has been setting the standard for orthodontic care on the North Shore for over 30 years. Located in Danvers and Manchester, MA, our top priority is to provide the highest quality orthodontic care in a friendly, comfortable environment. We specialize in orthodontic treatment for children and adults and pride ourselves on combining cutting edge orthodontic and digital technology with consistent and courteous care to meet the unique needs of each and every patient.
FIRST VISIT
On your first visit to our office you will meet Dr. Nelson and our staff. We will review your dental and medical history. After looking at your teeth, bite and jaws, we generally advise one the following:
- Orthodontic treatment for periodontal health or for bite reasons that may affect the function of the jaw.
- Orthodontic treatment will be needed in the future but not at this time. A recall appointment is then scheduled generally in 4-6 months to monitor growth and advise the appropriate time to initiate treatment.
- No orthodontic treatment is needed.
If treatment is indicated we will recommend scheduling diagnostic records and consultation appointment.
Diagnostic Records are models of your teeth and a series of orthodontic x-rays and photographs.
Consultation Appointment will be held after Dr. Nelson thoroughly reviews the diagnostic records. At this appointment, we will review our recommended treatment, answer any further questions you may have, review costs and different methods of payment if needed, and set up the proper appointments to begin orthodontic treatment. Our patients find these appointments informative and helpful in getting off to a good start.
We recognize that this process may slow down the initial start of treatment, but Dr. Nelson believes that taking the extra time and care in treatment planning gives us the best results for health and aesthetics.
REGULAR APPOINTMENTS
If you choose to begin treatment, we will work with you to schedule regular appointments to fit your specific needs. You can expect the appointment when appliances such as braces, expanders, etc. are placed to take from 1 to 2 hours. After that we will need to make adjustments at regular intervals that range from 4 to 8 weeks apart. These appointments will only take 20 to 40 minutes. Patients are seen by appointment only, but we make every effort to work with you in scheduling convenient appointments. 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, we ask that you notify us immediately. Cancel only in the case of an emergency since most appointments are made 4 to 6 weeks in advance. Our regular office hours in Danvers are Monday through Thursday from 8:15 AM to 5:15 PM, Friday 8:15 AM to 1:00 PM and Saturday hours excluding the summer.
FEES AND INSURANCE
The cost of treatment depends on the unique issues presented in each case. We thoroughly explain all of the different treatment options and associated costs so that we can accommodate your specific needs.
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 Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover, as well as bank drafts.
INSURANCE
If your insurance covers orthodontic treatment, you will receive the benefit of reduced personal costs. Many insurance policies have a lifetime orthodontic benefit that is distinct from regular dental insurance. Remember that insurance policies vary; we will review your insurance to determine the appropriate course of action. We will file claims in house for Blue Cross-Blue Shield and Delta Dental; we will assist in filing all other claims. We do not accept MassHealth.
WE TREAT CHILDREN … AND ADULTS
Adult orthodontics is an exciting part of our practice. Adult treatment often presents challenges in bite correction and cosmetics. We plan our treatment carefully and individually to be certain our goals are accomplished while providing the best patient care possible. The newest materials make braces clear, and highly advanced wires move teeth with very light force, resulting in little or no discomfort. Dr. Nelson and our staff are also certified in Invisalign, completely clear retainers that are used for aligning teeth in many adult patients.