Instagram
Pinterest

First Visit

ready for the smile you always wanted

This is the first day of the new you!
We can’t wait to welcome you to our office and show you around.

Everything we do is with the goal of making your visits pleasant, informative, and productive—your time is valuable! Your initial appointment is completely complimentary and will consist of an examination, digital x-rays and photos, and a discussion of treatment options. Then if the doctor feels you are ready, and you feel you are ready, often we can get started with your treatment the same day.

Please assist us by providing the following information at the time of your first visit:

  • Any x-rays (if applicable)
  • Insurance forms/information
  • Complete patient registration forms
  • Please alert us if you have a medical condition that may be of concern (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure, artificial heart valves and joints, rheumatic fever, etc) or if you are on any medication (e.g. heart medications, aspirin, anticoagulant therapy, etc)

New Patient Forms

 

We can’t wait to welcome you to our practice! Please take a moment to fill out the following forms.

Complete Online or Download

 

forms

  • New Patient & Medical History Forms
    Online
    Download

Insurance & Payments

ready for the smile you always wanted

Payment Options

Our doctors do not want finances to be an obstacle to a healthy, beautiful smile!
At Gorman & Bunch Orthodontics, we offer a wide range of payment options which we customize specifically for you and your family.

Insurance Coverage

We work with you to maximize your insurance benefits for orthodontic treatment.
Please bring your insurance information with you to the consultation so that we can talk to you about your specific coverage and expedite your reimbursement.

FAQs

we know

General Questions

Do I still have to visit my general dentist when my braces are on?

Yes! Visiting your dentist for regular hygiene appointments is very important. We work closely with your dentist to ensure that your teeth stay healthy and sparkling throughout treatment.

Questions About Appointments

Can I always have after school appointments?

We do everything we can to accommodate your schedule, however sometimes we may need to see you during school hours. That said, because appointments are scheduled 6-10 weeks apart, most patients miss minimal school for orthodontic care. Additionally, our Invisalign and Invisalign Teen patients have the flexibility to schedule even longer between visits, meaning even less time out of school.

Do I have to have a referral to be able to make an appointment in your office?

Nope, come any time! But if someone referred you to our office please let us know! We love knowing who to thank for bringing your smiling face to our practice.

How long will my appointment take?

Appointment lengths vary depending on what we are planning to do. Our skilled clinicians will be able to tell you how long to expect your next appointment to be.

How long will the first visit take?

We allow about an hour. At this appointment, our friendly treatment coordinator will take digital images, the doctor will perform an extensive exam, and the treatment coordinator will then go over treatment that is needed and any necessary financial arrangements. If the doctor feels you are ready for treatment, and you are ready, often we can get started with a digital scan for Invisalign or place upper braces as needed that same day!

Will my teeth be sore after my appointment?

Possibly for a couple of days. If so, take one Advil and one Tylenol for discomfort.

Questions About the Treatment Process and Methods

Will the same clinical assistant work on my child or myself at every appointment?

Our highly skilled and friendly assistants want to know all of you! We do not assign specific assistants to specific patients, however if you do have someone you prefer you can certainly let us know.

Is it normal for my teeth to feel loose?

Yes! As the teeth are becoming aligned it is normal to feel that they have some minor movement.

Is it normal for my back teeth to be sore when I wear my headgear?

Yes, but if you wear it consistently, the discomfort will go away after a week. Taking one Advil and one Tylenol will also help.

Is it normal to have a space between my front teeth from my expander?

Yep! As we widen the upper jaw, a space usually appears between the two front teeth. This space will ultimately close, so don’t worry!

Do I still have to visit my general dentist when my braces are on?

Yes! Visiting your dentist for regular hygiene appointments is very important. We work closely with your dentist to ensure that your teeth stay healthy and sparkling throughout treatment.

When do I get my braces off?

At your initial exam the doctor will give you their goal time for your specific treatment. This is an estimate; it could take more or less time depending on how your teeth move and how you cooperate.

How many baby teeth does my child have to lose before I bring them in?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children are seen by an orthodontist by age 7. If you or your dentists have concerns at an earlier age, we are happy to take a look earlier!

What are the white spots on some people's teeth when they get their braces off?

These spots are called “decalcification”, which is a fancy term for the start of cavities. They result from poor oral hygiene, and the damage is permanent. The spots form after plaque builds up on the teeth for an extended time; plaque produces acid which in turn softens the enamel and causes white spots.
At each visit we will let you know how well you are brushing and if there are any areas that need improvement. If we have serious concerns, we will provide fluoride to help remineralize these areas to prevent additional decay, and we might refer you back to your general dentist for an additional cleaning and fluoride treatment. In minor cases, sometimes the dentist can bleach the teeth or polish the white areas so they blend in. In severe cases, the areas are drilled out and replaced with fillings. Excellent oral hygiene is easier to maintain with the removable aligners used by our Invisalign and Invisalign Teen patients, which drastically reduces the occurrence of white spots during treatment.

I hate that pink stuff! Do we really need it?

Great news! In our offices we are using digital scanners to virtually eliminate the need for impressions. In some instances we still need impressions for certain appliances, but we have the most advanced materials and flavors to make the process as easy as possible for you.

Are the lights that are used to set up the glue ultra violet?

Nope, they are simply intense LED lights.

Questions about Invisalign and Invisalign Teen

Can Invisalign be used for anyone?

Not quite, but almost! Our doctors are top 1% Invisalign providers in North America, so if you’ve ever been told you’re not a candidate for Invisalign, let us take a look. We specialize in complex Invisalign cases!

How many hours each day should I be wearing my aligners?

Your Invisalign or Invisalign Teen aligners should be in 22-24 hours per day. They are only removed for eating, brushing, and flossing. It is important to keep your aligners in a case any time they aren’t in your mouth to avoid their being lost, broken, eaten by a pet, etc.
How does Invisalign and Invisalign Teen work? Video

How should I care for my aligners?

Any time you brush your teeth you should brush your aligners with a toothbrush and cool water. We ideally like to see our patients brush after any snack, but if that’s not an option you can at least rinse your mouth with water before replacing your aligners. Keep your aligners safe by keeping them in a case any time you aren’t wearing them.
Invisalign Patient Care Video

What foods should I avoid with Invisalign and Invisalign Teen?

None! One thing our patients love about Invisalign and Invisalign Teen is that you have no food restrictions at all. That said, make sure to take your aligners out every time you eat and any time you are drinking something other than water to avoid staining your aligners and potentially causing damage to your teeth.

How often do I change my aligners?

The doctor will tell you how often to change your Invisalign or Invisalign Teen aligners based on your specific treatment plan. Most of our patients change every week, but some change every two weeks. Our patients using Acceledent with their treatment change aligners every 4-5 days.

What should I do if I lose an aligner?

Sometimes when an aligner is lost you can simply move on to the next one. Other times, we need to go back to your previous aligner to hold your teeth in position while we order a new aligner for you. Give us a call if you lose an aligner and we will determine what will work best.

Does Invisalign or Invisalign Teen cost more than traditional braces?

Nope! We are happy to allow you to choose between Invisalign and traditional braces based on your lifestyle and needs, without the worry of an additional cost.

Questions About Braces

Do the clear braces discolor?

No! We use the most up to date cosmetic brackets that are made from ceramic to blend with your natural tooth color.

How should I care for my braces?

It is extremely important that you take care of your braces by maintaining excellent brushing and flossing as well as avoiding sugary drinks and snacks. You should be sure to brush after breakfast, after lunch (or after school if time is limited at lunch), and before bed. Adding a fluoride mouth rinse to your usual bedtime brushing routine can also help restore damaged tooth surfaces. We have several great videos that will help you with some tips and techniques for keeping everything shiny and clean. Just click below!
Brushing with braces Video
Flossing with braces Video
Foods to avoid Video

What foods should I avoid with braces?

Sticky and crunchy foods can break your brackets, pull off elastic ties, shift your wires, and more. All of these things can lead to a longer time in braces and sometimes a bit of discomfort. To make your life easier, be sure to avoid sticky things like taffy, gummies, sugary gum, etc. Crunchy foods like nuts, partially popped popcorn pieces, some granola bars, etc. should also be avoided. Healthy items like carrots and apples are safe as long as you cut them into pieces and chew with your back teeth. For more tips, check out the videos below!
Foods to avoid Video

Why do you want me to come in every 6 months even though I don't have braces yet?

The doctors want to watch your development to make sure that problems won’t occur. These appointments are free of charge, and give you the opportunity to know if and when treatment will be needed in the future.

What kind of braces do you offer?

You will have a choice between clear braces, silver braces, and Invisalign.

My friend has clear braces on top and silver on bottom, can I have clear on top and bottom?

Lower clear braces can cause wear on the upper teeth. For this reason, we use clear on the upper only in most cases.

Does Invisalign or clear braces cost more than metal braces?

Nope! We do not charge more for Invisalign or clear brackets.

Questions About Retainers

How can I keep my retainer clean?

For clear retainers, brush your retainer every time you brush your teeth however use only a toothbrush and cool water. The abrasives in toothpaste will roughen the surface of your clear retainer and make it look cloudy. For retainers with a wire, toothbrush and toothpaste is fine. We also encourage you to soak your retainers several times a week with a retainer cleaner or denture cleaner. Mouthwash can be too hard and break down the plastic of the retainer. Also, be sure to keep your case clean!

Why are retainers so important?

As we align your teeth, they are moving through the bone of your upper and lower jaws into new, ideal positions. It takes time for the bone around the teeth to fully harden around the teeth after movement is complete. We prescribe ten weeks of full-time retainer wear to hold the teeth perfectly positioned while this happens. After ten weeks of full-time wear, nightly wear ensures that everything remains perfect and your new smile lasts a lifetime!

How long do I have to keep my bonded retainer?

Everything about your body changes with age, including your teeth. Regardless of whether or not you have had orthodontic treatment, your teeth will tend to shift over time without a retainer, especially on the bottom. A bonded lower retainer ensures this doesn’t happen! So as long as you want your teeth straight, plan to keep your bonded retainer.

Will I always have to wear my retainers?

Yes, if you want to keep your teeth straight! You should wear them full time for ten weeks, after that you can wear them just a night.

Do I still have to visit my general dentist when my braces are on?

Yes! Visiting your dentist for regular hygiene appointments is very important. We work closely with your dentist to ensure that your teeth stay healthy and sparkling throughout treatment.

Questions Regarding Finances

Do you charge for an initial visit?

Your initial consultation, exam, and x-rays are complimentary.

Do you have payment options available?

Yes! Our doctors do not want financing to be an obstacle to a healthy, beautiful smile. Our treatment coordinators will work with you to find a custom financing option that fits your unique situation.

How can I pay for my treatment?

We accept cash, personal checks, money orders, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. In addition, electronic transfers from your checking or savings account are also available.
complimentary consultation COMPLIMENTARYCONSULTATION

experience the gorman and bunch difference


timmy
logo_footer
Carmel (317) 815-9310 · Kokomo (765) 459-3145 · Lawrence/McCordsville (317) 561-6470 · Marion (765) 662-0018 · Wabash (260) 563-4189 · West Carmel/Zionsville (317) 471-0100 · Westfield (317) 867-1133

Follow us

Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
© 2017 All Rights Reserved.