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your first visit
picture First Appointment
At the first visit Dr. Bottala and his treatment coordinator will do an extensive exam. If Dr. Bottala feels you are ready for treatment we will get started on complete diagnostic records. Complete diagnostic records typically include plaster study models of the teeth, photos of the patient's face and teeth, and X-rays. This information is used to develop a custom treatment plan for each patient. These records are also helpful in tracking the progress of treatment as the teeth move under orthodontic care.

Initial Placement of Braces
The appointment when you get your initial appliances (braces, expanders, etc.) usually takes 1-2 hours. We do these appointments in the morning, when it is quiet, to allow you to have Dr. Bottala's undivided attention.

Please take a minute to print and fill out the patient information form before your first appointment:

→ Adult Patient Form (PDF)
→ Child Patient Form (PDF)

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Regular Appointments
Our use of cutting edge technology allows patients to be seen at a 6 to 10 week interval with an average adjustment appointment length of 15 to 20 minutes. We schedule longer appointments in the morning and mid-morning and shorter appointments after school. By doing this, we do not reserve an entire afternoon for one or two patients but rather accommodate as many families as possible for after-school appointments.

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 we will file the necessary papers to the insurance company. We work hard to make orthodontics affordable.

Fees
  • 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 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.