Your First Orthodontist Visit

a young woman smiling

Our objective is to make sure your visits with us will be pleasant and informative. Your initial appointment will consist of an examination and a discussion of potential treatment options. This important visit will address the orthodontic needs for you or your child.

Please assist us by providing the following information before your appointment:

  • Who referred you to our office and any previous consultations and recommendations?
  • Bring any x-rays/medical testing reports you may have had with you to your appointment.  (Example: sleep study results, CT scan reports or MRI reports)
  • A list of medications you are presently taking
  • If you have dental insurance, please provide it before your appointment so we may have sufficient time to check your benefits. This will save time and allow us to give you a better estimate of cost and help you process any claims.
  • Registration papers can be completed online or printed and brought to your appointment. 

Please alert the office if you have a medical condition that may be of concern (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, artificial heart valves and joints, osteoarthritis, rheumatic fever, etc.) or if you are on any medication (i.e. heart medications, aspirin, anticoagulant therapy, medications for osteoporosis. etc.)

Broken Appointments: If for some reason you cannot make it to your appointment, please contact our office at Leawood Office Phone Number 913-258-8028 for our Leawood location or Louisburg Office Phone NumberLouisburg Office Phone Number 913-214-0205 for our Louisburg location to reschedule.  By doing so you allow another patient to use that time as well as reschedule your appointment. There is a $50.00 charge for appointments missed without prior notice. We require 48 hour notice should you need to cancel/reschedule your appointment. 

Diagnostic Records & Treatment Planning

Diagnostic records may be taken at your first appointment which may include: study models, diagnostic photographs and x-rays. Dr. Bowden will review them and determine a specific treatment plan for your diagnosis. Our staff will then set up the necessary appointments to begin your treatment and set up financial arrangements for you.

Successive Visits

Periodic visits are an important part of any treatment. For orthodontic care generally we will want to see you every 4 to 10 weeks to check your progress and make adjustments to your braces. During this time, you will need to keep appointments, follow instructions, eat nutritiously and practice good oral hygiene. Also continue to maintain your regular cleaning/checkups with your general dentist.

For TMJ/Sleep Apnea visits, they require different periodic visits depending on your diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Bowden will inform you of the necessary follow-up appointments.

Once your braces are removed, retainers are utilized to hold your teeth in their new positions until your bone, gums and muscles adapt to the new teeth positions. The retention period is an important part of your overall treatment and should not be neglected!

Length of Treatment

Braces may be on between 6 months to 30 months or longer depending on the age of the patient, the severity of the problem, the patient’s cooperation and the degree of movement possible.

Dental Care

Before any orthodontic treatment, your general dentist should make certain that all cavities have been treated and the health of your gums and underlying bone are free of periodontal disease.

In addition, your dentist or an oral surgeon will remove any teeth that Dr. Bowden prescribed to correct your bite. Your family dentist should also schedule cleaning and cavity checkup visits during your orthodontic care. We would like to reinforce the need to keep your regular visits with your family dentist because we are only an aid to your family dentist and not a replacement.

Please contact our office at:

Leawood Office Phone Number 913-258-8028 for our Leawood office

Louisburg Office Phone Number 913-214-0205 for our Louisburg office

The timing of your treatment is very important. You or your child may or may not be ready for treatment. Therefore, a consultation will allow us to better understand your needs.