Start your smile journey with confidence at Premier Orthodontics & Dental Specialists in Elmhurst and Downers Grove. We’re excited to welcome you to your first orthodontic visit and make your experience comfortable, informative, and affordable.
What to Expect During Your First Visit
When you arrive, our front desk team will help you check in and make you feel right at home. During your visit, one of our doctors will complete a thorough orthodontic exam and review your teeth, bite, and jaw alignment.
We’ll talk about:
- Whether orthodontic treatment is needed
- When it’s best to begin
- Which treatment options may work best
- How long it might take
- What the total investment will be
If treatment is recommended, we can often take diagnostic records the same day so you can get started without extra appointments.
Diagnostic Records and Treatment Planning
To plan your treatment precisely, we:
- Study models or digital scans of your teeth
- Panoramic and cephalometric x-rays
- Photographs of your smile and bite
These records help our doctors design a customized treatment plan that ensures your bite and smile look and function their best.
What is Included in My Investment?
Your investment covers:
- Orthodontic records, including x-rays, study models, and a personalized growth study workup to determine treatment objectives.
- Active treatment fees for both early treatment options and comprehensive treatment with braces or Invisalign, including all appliances, office visits, and procedures performed in the office.
- Appliances are durable and should last through the entire treatment period if the patient follows instructions. Replacement fees apply if appliances need replacement due to loss, breakage, misuse, or failure to avoid foods that cause damage.
- One set of final retainers for comprehensive (Phase II) patients upon completion of treatment. Replacement fees apply for any additional lost or broken retainers.
What is Not Included?
- Work performed at other dental offices outside our orthodontic practice.
- Additional fees may apply if an accident or injury during treatment results in TMJ complications, additional orthodontics, orthognathic surgery, etc.
Orthodontic Financing & Insurance
We believe everyone deserves a healthy, confident smile, and we’re committed to making orthodontic care accessible for every family. Whether you have orthodontic insurance or need flexible financing, our team will help you find a plan that fits your budget.
Start With a Free Consultation
Start your smile journey with a free consultation at Premier Orthodontics & Dental Specialists in Elmhurst and Downers Grove. During this visit, our team will review your orthodontic needs, explain treatment options, and answer all your questions about costs and timing.
Our goal is to make every step simple and stress-free, whether you’re exploring braces or clear aligners for yourself or your child.
Affordable Payment Options
We make orthodontic treatment flexible and affordable for every family. Most plans start with as little as $500 down, followed by monthly payments throughout treatment.
Typical braces and clear aligner cases that take about a year to complete start at $3,998, though your exact cost depends on case complexity and whether additional appliances are needed, such as expanders or bite correctors.
If you have orthodontic insurance, your out-of-pocket cost will vary depending on your plan’s coverage and contracted fees. Our team can perform a complimentary insurance benefits check and design a personalized payment plan that fits your budget.
Dr. Corina Radu, Board-Certified Orthodontist, and our experienced team will guide you through the process and create a treatment plan tailored to your smile goals.
Insurance
We make our services attainable by keeping our fees affordable and accepting most orthodontic insurance plans. We’re happy to help verify your coverage details.
Accepted insurance plans include, but are not limited to:
- Aetna
- Anthem/Unicare
- Delta Dental – Premier
- Dentemax
- Humana
- Lincoln Financial
- Metlife
- UCCI TriCare
- United of Concordia
- United Healthcare
- Principal
- SunLife
No Insurance? No Problem!
Dentistry and orthodontics are important parts of your overall health. We understand that costs can make it easy to delay treatment or feel like it’s out of reach.
At Premier Orthodontics & Dental Specialists, we offer several orthodontic financing options to make care affordable and convenient. Our team is happy to answer your questions about treatment costs, insurance benefits, and payment options.
Call our office today, our friendly staff will be happy to help you get started!
Assignment of Benefits
We accept assignment of benefits for most insurance plans, which can significantly reduce your family’s out-of-pocket expenses.
If we do not accept your plan’s assignment of benefits, we will still file claims on your behalf so that you can be reimbursed directly by your insurance provider.
If there are any changes to your insurance policy before the full payment of benefits is received, please contact our office right away so we can update your contract and keep your records accurate.
Office Hours
Our goal is to see you on time for every appointment. We schedule enough time to complete all necessary procedures, provide treatment information, and answer any questions you may have.
To help us stay on schedule, please arrive on time for your visit. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated by our team and by other patients who are scheduled after you.
FAQ
When Can I Schedule My First Orthodontic Consultation?
You can schedule your free consultation anytime, and no referral from a dentist is required. We offer flexible appointment times throughout the week to accommodate busy families and working professionals. Simply call our office or request an appointment online, and our team will help you find a time that works best for you.
How Long Will the First Visit Take?
Most first visits take about 45 minutes to an hour. This allows our orthodontist time to review your medical and dental history, perform a detailed exam, take diagnostic photos or x-rays if needed, and discuss treatment options. If you decide to begin treatment, we can often take your diagnostic records the same day to save you an extra trip.
What Should I Bring to My First Appointment?
Please bring your completed new patient forms, insurance information, and any recent dental x-rays or orthodontic records you may have. If you plan to use orthodontic insurance, HSA, or FSA benefits, have that information ready so our team can review your coverage and explain how it applies to your treatment.
Will I Learn About Treatment Costs at the First Visit?
Yes. By the end of your consultation, you’ll have a clear picture of your estimated treatment cost and available orthodontic financing options. Our treatment coordinator will walk you through payment plans, review your insurance benefits, and answer any questions about fees or timelines.
What is the Cost of the Treatment?
The cost of treatment varies based on the severity of the patient’s condition. During the initial exam, the treatment coordinator will discuss fees and payment options if treatment is required. We offer various payment plans to fit your budget and accept most insurance plans. Our goal is to make orthodontics affordable and help every patient achieve their perfect smile.
Will Insurance Cover Everything?
Orthodontic insurance usually covers part of your treatment, not the full amount. Most plans include a lifetime orthodontic benefit that pays a set amount toward your total cost. Our team will verify your benefits, explain your coverage, and handle all claim filing for you.