What Happens at Your First Orthodontic Appointment? (No Surprises, We Promise)
May 27th, 2026
By Dr. Ross Aronson, Board-Certified Orthodontist | Aronson Orthodontics | Waterbury & Southbury, CT
A lot of people put off calling an orthodontist because they're not sure what they're walking into. Is it going to be overwhelming? Are they going to push a treatment plan on me the moment I sit down? Am I going to leave with a number that makes me regret coming?
Those are fair questions, and I hear some version of them all the time. So let me just tell you exactly what happens when you come in — start to finish.
It Starts Before You Even Sit in the Chair
When you call or submit a request online to schedule your free consultation, our front desk team will ask a few simple questions: your name, contact info, whether this is for yourself or a child, and roughly what you're looking to address (crowding, a bite issue, Invisalign, whatever brought you to us). That's it.
No lengthy forms, no insurance interrogation, no deposit. If you have insurance information available, bring your card — we'll check your benefits as a courtesy. But you absolutely do not need insurance to come in.
What Happens During the Consultation
1. We Sit Down and Talk First
Before anyone looks at your teeth, I want to understand what brought you in. Maybe you've been thinking about straightening your smile for years and finally decided to do something about it. Maybe your child's pediatric dentist mentioned early treatment. Maybe you had braces as a teenager, stopped wearing your retainer, and your teeth have shifted.
Whatever the reason, that conversation shapes everything that follows. I'm not trying to sell you anything in the first five minutes. I'm trying to understand what you actually want.
2. The iTero 3D Scan
This is usually the part patients find most interesting. Instead of the old-fashioned goop-in-a-tray impressions (which, if you've experienced them, were not fun), we use a digital iTero scanner to take a precise 3D image of your teeth in minutes.
The scanner is a handheld wand. You don't have to bite down on anything. There's nothing to gag on. In a couple of minutes, we have a highly detailed, full-color 3D model of your mouth rotating on a screen in front of us.
What's great about this for patients: you can see what we're seeing. We can point out the crowding, the spacing, the bite issues — and you're looking at the same image I am. That changes the conversation completely. It's not me telling you something is wrong; it's both of us looking at it together.
3. X-Rays (If Needed)
Depending on your age and situation, we may take a panoramic X-ray (a full image of your teeth, jaw, and any developing teeth) and a cephalometric X-ray (a side-view of your skull that helps us evaluate your bite and jaw position). These are low-radiation digital X-rays and take just a few minutes.
For children, this gives us critical information about where adult teeth are positioned and whether early intervention makes sense. For adults, it helps us understand the full picture before recommending a treatment path.
4. The Exam
Now I'll take a look. I'm evaluating your bite (how your upper and lower teeth come together), the alignment of your teeth, the health of your jaw joints, and anything else that seems relevant. If I spot something that looks like it warrants attention from your general dentist first — early signs of gum issues, a tooth that needs to be addressed before we begin — I'll tell you.
This is not a cleaning appointment or a dental checkup; it's a dedicated orthodontic evaluation. The whole appointment typically takes about 45 to 60 minutes, and I'm the one doing the exam — not a technician handing things off.
5. We Walk Through Your Options Together
This is where most people say they expected a high-pressure pitch and were surprised it wasn't.
After the exam, I sit down with you and walk through what I found, what I'd recommend, and why. If Invisalign is the right fit, I'll explain why. If traditional braces would serve you better for your specific bite issue, I'll say so — and explain the clinical reasoning behind it. If there are multiple paths that could work, we'll talk through the tradeoffs.
If it's a child who's younger and the timing isn't quite right yet, I'll tell you that too. I'd rather have you come back in six months when the time is right than push forward just to start treatment.
You'll receive a complete treatment plan with transparent pricing before you leave. No hidden fees, no ambiguity.
What About Cost?
At Aronson Orthodontics, the fee we quote you includes everything: all your appointments, all adjustments, your retainers, and long-term follow-up. Some practices charge separately for things like retainers or missed appointments — we don't, and we'll always be upfront about what's included.
We work with most major insurance plans and will verify your benefits for you. For families without orthodontic coverage, or for patients who want to spread out payments, we offer 0% APR financing with low monthly options that work for most budgets.
Nobody should avoid getting the treatment they need because of sticker shock. If cost is a concern, just say so — we'll work through it together.
Frequently Asked Questions About the First Appointment
Do I need a referral from my dentist? No. You can contact us directly. Referrals are welcome but never required.
How old should my child be for a first orthodontic visit? The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic screening around age 7. At that age, we can often identify developing problems — like crossbites, crowding, and bite issues — early enough to address them with simpler, less invasive treatment. We'll tell you honestly if treatment isn't needed yet.
Can adults come in too? Absolutely. About a third of our patients are adults. Whether you want Invisalign as an adult or need to address a bite issue you've had your whole life, there's no age at which orthodontic treatment stops being an option.
Will I have to start treatment right away? No. The consultation is just information-gathering. You'll leave with a clear picture of your options and a written treatment plan — but you take all the time you need to decide. We don't do same-day sign-ups.
What if I've already had braces but my teeth have shifted? This is more common than you might think. Retainer wear tends to slip over time, and teeth do move. We'll evaluate where things stand and talk through whether retreatment makes sense — sometimes a short course of Invisalign can get things back on track.
Why It Matters Who Does Your Consultation
Not all orthodontic consultations are created equal. In some larger practices, your initial exam might be with an assistant or coordinator, and you may not actually meet the orthodontist until later. At Aronson Orthodontics, I personally conduct every consultation and every follow-up. I'm a board-certified orthodontist — meaning I've completed additional testing and peer review beyond standard orthodontic training — and I believe the relationship between a doctor and patient starts at that very first appointment.
Being in the top 1% of Invisalign providers in the country also means I've worked with thousands of cases, including complex ones. That experience shapes how I evaluate your situation and what I recommend — and it's why our patient outcomes and reviews speak for themselves.
Come See Us — We're Right Here in Connecticut
We have two conveniently located offices:
- Waterbury, CT — serving Waterbury, Wolcott, Naugatuck, Watertown, and surrounding communities
- Southbury, CT — serving Southbury, Oxford, Woodbury, Middlebury, Newtown, and beyond
If you've been thinking about starting orthodontic treatment — for yourself, your teenager, or your child — the first step is just a conversation. There's no obligation, no pressure, and no surprises.
Schedule Your Free Consultation →
Dr. Ross Aronson is a board-certified orthodontist and the founder of Aronson Orthodontics, with offices in Waterbury and Southbury, Connecticut. He is a top 1% Invisalign provider and has treated thousands of patients across the greater Connecticut area. Learn more about Dr. Aronson →