Your First Visit

Of course. What would life be without paperwork? Our forms are readily available on the website, and it is important to complete them prior to the consultation.

They are scheduled for 60 minutes.

The answer is yes and no. The majority of our initially scheduled examinations for patients seeking orthodontic treatment evaluation are free of charge. In the event someone cancels their initial one-hour consultation with Dr. McNutt with less than 24 hours notice, or repeatedly reschedules, we reserve the right to charge a consultation fee prior to seeing the patient.

• Patients we did not treat seeking a remedy to problems with their retainers, such as repairs.
• Patients seeking a TMJ / TMD consultation.
• Patients seeking an evaluation for a complex dental issue.
• Second opinions regarding ongoing treatment elsewhere.
• Patients seeking to transfer into our practice.

Consultations are broken down into three parts:

1. Meet the treatment coordinator, verify completion of paperwork, take pictures of the patient and the patient’s teeth, obtain a panoramic radiograph (panorex x-ray) if a recent one is not readily available from your family dentist, and discuss your concerns. The treatment coordinator then briefs the doctor.

2. The doctor will then thoroughly examine the patient and dictate key information and a plan of action to the treatment coordinator, and the doctor will lead a discussion regarding the exam findings and recommendations. The doctor will typically address these common topics:

• What kind of problems were discovered.
• Determine whether treatment is needed now, treatment should be delayed until a later age, or treatment is not needed at all.
• What the available treatment options are, including pros and cons.
• Which treatment option is best suited for this particular patient situation.
• What the approximate length of treatment should be.
• What the patient responsibilities will be in order for treatment to be successful.

3. The treatment coordinator will then review and discuss:

• What the cost of the treatment will be.
• What type of financial arrangements can be made, including extended interest free payment plans.
• The steps and appointments necessary to begin treatment.
• Answer your questions and discuss follow up.

Advice from the orthodontic community can vary from doctor to doctor, and this can be confusing for parents trying to do what is best for their children. We are often asked for a second opinion. Sometimes our opinion only serves to confirm the first opinion and sometimes our advice may be very different. Orthodontics as a specialty is not nearly as unified as going to the pediatrician to get advice on how to treat an inner ear infection in an 8-year-old.

Our goal, regardless of our opinion, is to make sure you walk away knowing the reasons behind our recommendations, what our bias is based on our education, training and experience, and to give our perspective on other opinions. Our way is not the only way, and educating patients so that they are able to make an informed decision is our ultimate goal, even if they choose to go elsewhere.

• Dr. McNutt is old school. He will write a thorough consultation summary letter to your family dentist detailing the condition of your teeth and the recommendations for treatment. We pride ourselves on educating our patients and on communicating effectively with your family dentist.
• Our dedicated treatment coordinator will follow up with you if treatment is indicated and the patient is at the optimal age and stage to begin treatment.
• When a future re-evaluation is recommended by the orthodontist, our treatment coordinator will follow up with you in the future based on the timeline established by the doctor.
• In the event you need additional time with the doctor to review information from the consult, review the plan and ask questions, we are generally able to coordinate an additional video conference with the doctor.

Do you examine & accept transfer patients who are already in treatment?

• We do not accept local transfers of patients currently undergoing active treatment with our local colleagues.
• We do accept transfer patients outside our local community and state. A transfer exam consultation is required. At your transfer exam the doctor will inform you of whether or not we feel comfortable completing the treatment and what we would require to complete the treatment.

What are your requirements to schedule a consultation for a transfer patient?

• Prior to scheduling we require payment of our transfer consultation fee.
• The previous orthodontist must provide us with an American Association of Orthodontists Transfer form.
• The previous orthodontist must provide us with a copy of the pre-treatment diagnostic records, ongoing treatment notes, and progress records (chart notes, photographs, x-ray radiographs).

Please note: we charge a consultation fee for this type of examination / consultation.

Occasionally we receive requests to evaluate problems associated with the TMJ joints, or for an evaluation to have TMD therapy that sometimes includes what is known as night guard or splint therapy. This is not an area of expertise and regular treatment for our orthodontic team.

In general, most patients do not achieve relief or a cure for their TMJ / TMD problems as a result of orthodontic treatment.

There are cases where orthodontic treatment will be one positive contributing factor that reduces symptoms, pain and dysfunction. These types of cases are typically complex, and our consultations are not structured to provide all of the necessary diagnostic information and analysis often required.

In the event your dentist makes a direct referral with specific information that helps us determine whether or not orthodontic treatment may be beneficial, we will consider offering a consultation and the merits of orthodontic treatment.