Observation Program
To help our young patients get the best possible care, we’ve created an observation program that lets us track orthodontic development over time, waiting for the perfect time to start treatment.
Orthodontics for Kids in Post Falls, Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, Rathdrum, & Athol areas
One of the most common things parents ask us is when to bring their child in for a first visit. This is a great question, and the answer might be earlier than you think! In keeping with the American Association of Orthodontists, we ask parents to bring their children in for an initial evaluation by age 7. At this age, the back bite has developed, which lets us spot current problems as well as problems that may develop later. While we generally screen early, we often won’t begin treatment right then – and that’s where our observation program comes in.
Our Observation Program
To help our patients get the best possible care, we’ve created an observation program that lets us track orthodontic development over time, waiting for the perfect time to start treatment. The program works like this:
- After your initial screening, Dr. Wilson will monitor your child’s dental development until the perfect time to start treatment.
- We’ll bring your child in for an evaluation every 6 months – and all of the observation appointments are complimentary.
- Even if you don’t see any changes since your last visit, it’s important to attend these appointments every 6 months. Regular screenings are the only way to ensure everything is developing normally. To track the eruption of permanent teeth, we’ll also take periodic panoramic X-rays of your child – which, also, are complimentary. We will forward this progress x-ray to your family dentist with a progress report to keep their files up-to-date.
- In addition to monitoring dental development, Dr. Wilson will track jaw growth and bite development. If there’s a problem with these processes, we may recommend early orthodontic treatment.
- Dr. Wilson will continue monitoring your child’s development until the time is right for treatment. Then, he’ll create a treatment plan that helps your child achieve a healthy, beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime!
Three steps to achieving a great smile!
1. Free Consultation
Your first visit to our office is the very beginning of your orthodontic journey, and we’re just as excited as you!
We will perform a thorough examination of your teeth, mouth, and gums. We then take complimentary x-rays and images of your teeth that lets us see what’s going on. This information helps us design your customized treatment plan.
2. Transparent Pricing
During your free consult, you will meet with one of our Treatment Coordinators to review pricing.
At Post Falls Orthodontics, we offer affordable orthodontic treatment in North Idaho. For more than 75% of our patients, braces are a flat fee as low as $3,995. For complex braces cases, where a special orthodontic appliance or extra services are needed, our fee is $5,495. There are no hidden fees to achieve your beautiful smile!
3. Simple Financing
Start Your Treatment Same Day
With same-day braces, we can maximize the efficiency of your visit and the results at the same time. Our team can help rescue you from the hassle of multiple visits. At your first orthodontic consultation, our team will provide you with a complete oral exam to determine the situation of your smile. If you are a good candidate for braces, our team can help you get started that day! Not only do we save our patients money, we save you time!
FAQs
We can only determine treatment costs after your initial consultation is completed, as each patient’s case is unique. You can learn more about our Financing & Insurance policies on our website, or speak to one of our staff members at the office. We’ll review your financing options with you, and will work with you to maximize your insurance benefits.
FAQs
American Association of Orthodontists recommend you should schedule your child’s first appointment by age 7.
Orthodontic treatment and a child’s growth can complement each other. By timing orthodontic treatment to predictable stages of dental development, the orthodontist may be able to take advantage of your child’s growth and development. Some problems that can be treated quite well in a growing child may require corrective surgery or permanent teeth to be extracted if treated after growth has occurred.
FAQs
FAQs
FAQs
Because each patient is different, treatment time with Invisalign varies. You could be in treatment for as little as 6 months or as long as 24 months – it all depends on the specific type of orthodontic problem you have and how compliant you are wearing your aligners and keeping your scheduled appointments.
Yes. In order for Invisalign to work as it’s designed, you must wear your aligners for up to 22 hours each day. You can remove them when eating and when brushing & flossing. You can also take them out temporarily for those special occasions such as interviews or school photos as long as you put them right back in afterward.
Invisalign aligners are designed to be removed when eating. One of the greatest benefits associated with Invisalign is the fact that there are no food restrictions whatsoever. You can continue enjoying all your favorite foods including hard-crusted breads, corn-on-the-cob, etc. as long as you take your aligners out before eating, but be sure to at least rinse, if not brush and rinse, before replacing your Invisalign trays. Any foods with color or food coloring (coffee, tea, red sauce, curry, sodas) can be on your teeth and slowly stain your attachments and/or trays.
When you first start wearing Invisalign, you may notice that your speech is not as clear as it normally is. This is nothing to panic about, as you simply must get used to wearing the aligners. Just spend a bit of time speaking or singing out loud while wearing your aligners and before you know it, your speech will return to normal.
No, chewing gum is not a good idea because it will stick to your aligners and make a big mess.
FAQs
Orthodontic specialists have the education, training and experience to effectively alter teeth, jaw, and facial structures to help patients achieve optimal oral health. It’s critical that treatment is personalized to each individual and properly completed, and choosing a specialist ensures that everything is done correctly.
You can schedule an appointment online or by calling our office at (208) 777-0500. One of our staff members will take down some of your basic information, and let you know what you need to bring to our office for your appointment.
Before you leave, be sure to have all the necessary information needed to complete our new patient forms, including your insurance information. Then, Dr. Wilson will complete the examination, which can include X-rays and photographs, to properly diagnose you or your child’s condition. If you want to learn even more about what happens, you can find more information on our First Visit page.
Treatment time varies from patient to patient, depending on the severity of the orthodontic issues. The average patient wears appliances anywhere from 16-18 months, and total treatment time ranges from about 12-30 months.
What are you waiting for?
Feel Confident in Your New Smile!
At Post Falls Orthodontics, we’ll provide you with a new smile that will help increase your self-confidence and your overall success in life!
