Joining Our Practice: Adults

The Initial Examination

The initial examination and consultation is a complimentary service during which diagnostic records, including photos and low-dose radiographs, will be taken, and a thorough examination by Dr. Wong of your dentition and facial structure will be conducted.

Following examination, Dr. Wong will present for your consideration his initial diagnosis and treatment plan. The treatment coordinator will review this treatment plan with you and aid you in assessing the need for a second consultation with Dr. Wong. (Dr. Wong is pleased to provide an additional consultation in such cases that are complex and/or involve multiple or extended family participation.)

The financial coordinator will also review all financial questions, including insurance coverage, prior to your departure.

Should you initiate treatment, you will be informed at each appointment of all procedures that have and will be performed and the overall progress made toward treatment goals.

Communicating with Dr. Wong

In our practice a priority is placed upon keeping open the lines of communication. In the course of treatment, should you desire to speak with Dr. Wong outside of the clinic setting, or should you wish to review your financial arrangements or any other matter, you need only contact the office.  A staff member will assist you directly and, should the need arise, ensure that you are able to speak with Dr. Wong at a time of mutual convenience.

You will find that Dr. Wong is happy to assist you whenever possible and truly enjoys being of service!

Typical Treatment Considerations for Adults

For many adults, the first consideration is the aesthetic presentation of any proposed orthodontic appliance. The appliances favored by most adults are Angel or Invisalign aligners or aesthetic ceramic brackets (small, clear, or off-white). Many cases can be successfully treated using any of these tools or a combination.  In some instances, however, one of these appliance types may offer significant advantages over the other. Dr. Wong will discuss the advantages and limitations of all appropriate appliances for your situation, allowing you to make the most ideal and informed decision.

In addition, adults may present with significant periodontal and/or restorative dental considerations that influence the orthodontic treatment plan.  Because orthodontic tooth movement involves an intentional manipulation of the supporting bony and soft-tissue periodontium, these tissues must be healthy, both before and after orthodontic treatment. Dr. Wong will examine the periodontium and, in such cases that care is indicated prior to orthodontic treatment, will provide a referral to a periodontal specialist.

Also to be considered are dental implants, crowns, bridges, and/or missing teeth. Often, adult patients are referred by the general dentist for orthodontic treatment in order to create the ideal conditions for planned restorations. When orthodontic and restorative dental treatment goals are integrated during planning, results are optimized. For this reason, Dr. Wong stresses a team approach involving your general dentist and any non-orthodontist specialists who may be indicated.  A collaborative approach provides for the most thoughtful and well-executed treatment.

A further consideration faced by a minority of adults is the correction of skeletal imbalances. A skeletal imbalance in a non-growing adult may indicate the need for surgical repositioning combined with orthodontics. If facial aesthetics can be enhanced significantly via surgery, the surgical option may be most appropriate. If pleasing facial aesthetics exist currently, and surgical treatment is deemed too invasive, non-surgical options may be considered.

• Note:  In all cases, Dr. Wong views facial aesthetics as paramount and does not recommend surgery for the purpose of ideal dental occlusion when such surgery will be of detriment to those aesthetics. Limited or “compromised” treatment may be considered for those patients who do not wish to undergo a surgical procedure, or for whom Dr. Wong does not recommend such a procedure for the reason stated above, but for whom surgery is the only means to ideal occlusion. Dr. Wong will confer with the referring dentist in such cases to ensure that all parties are in agreement before such limited treatment is commenced.

Given the considerations above, amongst others, it is very important that adults seek an experienced orthodontic specialist to plan and carry out their treatment.  As with children, Dr. Wong encourages adults to consult a qualified orthodontist—even if it is to be another practitioner.  (Of course, the skill and experience of Dr. Wong and staff are always available to you!)

Scheduling

We are very conscious of the adult patient’s schedule and offer appointments during the lunch hour (noon to one o’clock), in addition to the morning and afternoon.

Initial treatment examinations are scheduled through the online scheduler or form found on our contact page or by telephoning 206-812-4494.

Ongoing appointments are scheduled at the time of each visit.

Finances

It is our intention to serve you with the highest quality of orthodontic care and to make that care affordable by providing a variety of financing structures to meet your specific needs. The treatment and financial coordinators will explain thoroughly the available financing plans, including a payment slider, through which you may choose an individualized monthly payment, and answer your questions regarding methods and timing of payment.  They will also be available throughout the course of treatment to discuss financial questions and considerations.

In addition to personal financing plans, we are pleased to work with third-party healthcare finance sources.  Also, many insurance policies provide a lifetime orthodontic benefit that is distinct from regular dental insurance.  Because insurance policies vary, our financial coordinator will research the orthodontic coverage of your insurance plan and, once treatment begins, file claims on your behalf.

Finally, a helpful resource for many patients is a Flexible Spending Account offered by employers. A Flexible Spending Account (FSA), also called a flex plan or medical reimbursement account, is an employer-sponsored benefit that allows you to pay for eligible medical expenses on a pre-tax basis, reducing your federal tax obligation.  Please ask your benefits administrator if your employer offers Flexible Spending Accounts and, if so, how that plan reimburses for orthodontics and at what time your funds would be available to you following account deposit.

Regarding the cost of treatment, fees vary tremendously depending upon treatment parameters.  This, along with the need to assess development in children, is the reason why initial examinations are free of charge.  It is only after examination that Dr. Wong and staff can provide a fee for you to consider.  While we understand this may appear inconvenient, it is necessary to assess the work required, if any, to provide an accurate fee.  Any amount suggested prior to examination is likely to be in error and misleading.  It is our policy, therefore, to provide such information only when we feel assured it is reliable. 

We invite you to schedule a complimentary, non-binding examination with Dr. Wong during which your treatment and financial questions will be answered.

What Patients Say

“If you are a bit unsure of what to do with your ortho situation or have had bad ortho experiences in the past like me, I would definitely recommend going to Dr Wong for an examination. You will definitely get an honest assessment and some amazing treatment if you decide to go with Dr Wong. I felt super comfortable immediately. His staff were awesome, very nice and diligent. They have changed a few staff since I first started treatment but the new staff are just as good as the originals. Also his office/surgery is very nice and relaxing. Nice high windows that basically act as sky lights in a Suburban neighborhood. … Dr Wong himself is a very humble, nice guy who was very attentive to me and the other clients and very talented and quick at his craft.”
—Peter Conway
5 Stars in Google Reviews