What Happens at Your First Visit
Reviewed by Dr. Brent E. Sexton
Your first appointment at Delta Smiles takes about an hour and costs nothing. You’ll be seen by Dr. Sexton or Dr. Louie themselves, start to finish. By the end of it, you’ll know whether treatment is needed, what it would involve, how long it would take, and what it would cost.
No referral is required to book at either office.
Arriving
Come a few minutes early if you haven’t filled out your new patient forms online. Bring your insurance card and any records or X-rays from another practice, since we can often work from existing imaging instead of repeating it.
Parents, bring your questions written down. Everyone forgets two of them otherwise.
The Exam
The doctor will look at how your teeth fit together, how the jaws relate to each other, how the joints move, and whether anything about your bite is causing wear, difficulty chewing or trouble cleaning between teeth. For children, the focus is developmental: is there room for the permanent teeth, and is growth going where it should?
We’ll ask about your dental and medical history, any habits like grinding or thumb sucking, and what’s actually bothering you. That last question matters more than people expect. An adult who wants one crooked front tooth fixed and an adult who wants a bite corrected need different conversations.
The Records
If treatment looks likely, we’ll take diagnostic records at the same visit when we can, so you don’t have to come back for them.
- Digital 3D scan of your teeth. A handheld scanner passes over them for a few minutes, with no impression putty and no trays.
- Photographs of your teeth and smile, for planning and for comparing progress later.
- Panoramic X-ray, showing all the teeth including those still under the gum, plus the jaw joints.
- Cephalometric X-ray or 3D cone beam imaging where the case calls for it, usually when jaw relationships or an impacted tooth are involved.
We take the imaging a diagnosis needs and no more. How we use this equipment.
The Recommendation
You’ll get one of three answers, and we’ll say which one it is.
- No treatment needed. It happens often, particularly with young children, and we’re always glad to share that news.
- Not yet. Something’s worth watching, but treating it now would be premature. Children in this category join our complimentary growth observation program, and we check them periodically. More on early treatment.
- Treatment recommended. You’ll hear what the problem is, what happens if it’s left, which appliance options exist, and what each would mean in practice.
The Cost Conversation
What Your Fee Covers
One quoted figure covers the whole course of treatment:
- Diagnostic records and imaging
- Treatment planning
- Braces, aligners or the prescribed appliance
- Every scheduled adjustment visit
- Progress evaluations throughout
- Emergency visits for a broken bracket or a poking wire
- Your first set of retainers at the end
Replacement retainers and appliances lost or damaged along the way are billed separately, and we quote those before doing the work.
Starting Treatment
If you decide to go ahead, the start appointment is booked separately and usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. That’s when we bond braces, fit your first aligners, and give you instructions for looking after them.
After that, most patients come in every four to eight weeks so we can check progress and make adjustments. Aligner patients usually come in less frequently. We keep after-school slots for students and try to book siblings back-to-back.
Keep seeing your regular dentist every six months throughout. Cleanings matter more with braces, not less.
Book Your Free First Visit
Call (925) 754-3197 in Antioch or (925) 513-9320 in Brentwood, or request an appointment. If you’d like to see where you’re headed first, take a look around both offices, and for anything not covered above, the treatment FAQ goes deeper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting orthodontic treatment is an exciting step, and it’s natural to have questions along the way. Below are answers to some of the most common questions patients and families ask before beginning treatment at Delta Smiles in Antioch and Brentwood.
How long does the first appointment take in Antioch and Brentwood, CA?
About an hour, including the exam, records, and the cost discussion. If you just want a quick opinion, tell us when you book, and we’ll set expectations accordingly.
Does my child need to miss school?
Not necessarily. We hold after-school appointments, and visits are short. The latest slots fill first, so ask when you call, and booking early in the school year gets you the best ones.
Can both my children be seen at the same visit?
Yes, and we’d rather you did it that way. Tell us when booking, and we’ll schedule them back to back.
Do I have to decide at the appointment?
No, and we’d honestly rather you didn’t. Take the details home, talk it over, call with questions. Nothing about the fee changes if you take a week.
What if I've already been given a treatment plan somewhere else?
Bring it along with any imaging. We’ll give you our own read and tell you when we think your plan is a good one.