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What to Expect: Your First Visit

Find out what to expect from your first appointment with our orthodontist at Hwang Orthodontics in Monrovia. We look forward to meeting you!

The Consultation Process

Schedule Your First Appointment

To get started, you'll need to book a consultation with our team so that we can assess your orthodontic condition and discuss your needs and goals with you. From there, we'll develop a plan for your orthodontic treatment.

Book Consultation

Fill Out the New Patient Form

Once you've got your consultation booked, you'll need to fill out our Dental & Medical Health History Form. We invite you to fill out the form online in advance of your first appointment.

New Patient Form

The Consultation Process

The initial consultation process usually takes about an hour to complete, and will be led by one of our treatment coordinators. We look forward to meeting you!

Arrive & Get Settled

We recommend you arrive about 10 minutes early to get settled in and complete any required paperwork. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a member of our front reception team.

While you wait, you can relax in our comfortable reception room and enjoy some refreshments. We have games for kids to keep everyone occupied!

We'll then show you to a private consultation room where you can wait for your appointment to begin. 

A child sits on her mother's lap in a waiting room.

Assessment & Diagnostic Imaging

We'll begin by talking with you about your orthodontic concerns, goals, and what you'd like to achieve through treatment. We'll also take photos of your teeth and smile to document your starting point.

Next, we'll examine your teeth and bite and gather the diagnostic records needed to evaluate your orthodontic needs. Using our iTero™ scanner, we can create a detailed 3D digital model of your teeth that may be used to plan treatment and create orthodontic appliances.

The iTero scanner can also be used to create a digital simulation, giving you a preview of how your smile may look following treatment.

When appropriate, we may also take a CBCT scan. This 3D imaging provides detailed information about your teeth, roots, jaws, and surrounding structures to help your orthodontist develop your personalized treatment plan.

A dentist and a patient review the patient's oral health. A screen shows a digital rendering of her upper teeth.

Customized Treatment Plan

Once your assessment is complete, you'll meet with our treatment coordinator to review your health history, if needed, and discuss the findings from your exam and diagnostic imaging.

Based on this information, your orthodontist will develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your orthodontic needs and goals. Our orthodontist and treatment coordinator will walk you through the recommended approach and answer any questions you may have.

We'll also discuss what you can expect from treatment, including the estimated treatment timeline and appointment schedule.

Before you get started, we'll review the cost of treatment and your available payment options, including payment plans, insurance benefits, and financing options when applicable.

A woman and a receptionist fill out paperwork.

Next Steps

Before you leave, we'll review the next steps in your treatment plan and, if you're ready to move forward, schedule your upcoming appointment.

We'll also make sure you have an opportunity to ask questions about your treatment recommendations, timeline, costs, or anything else you'd like to know.

We want you to feel informed and comfortable with your treatment plan from the very beginning. Our team will be here to provide guidance, answer questions, and support you throughout your orthodontic treatment.

A dental assistant is smiling brightly as she passes someone a clipboard.