Frequently Asked Questions

Our staff is always available to help with any insurance questions! Our practice is in-network with the Delta Dental of Michigan and collaborates with a variety of insurance providers. Our team will work with you to understand your full insurance benefits, and as a courtesy for our patients, we will assist in submitting the necessary paperwork to your insurance company. Before your first consultation, you may consider contacting your insurance provider and find out your personal lifetime benefit.

The consultation is complimentary and includes your orthodontic records of x-rays, photos, Dr. Marks's diagnosis and treatment plan.

Your child’s first visit will be an initial consultation to create a treatment plan. We’ll take radiographs and examine their bite. After this examination, we’ll discuss options with you and formulate a treatment plan. We also offer a "same day start" where kids can be examined and start braces that same day for some cases.

We schedule 50 minutes per patient for each consultation. Prepare to spend an hour or two at our office, depending on how many patients we are screening.

After the initial consultation and you’ve decided to go forward with the treatment plan, we’ll begin. Each treatment plan is custom-fit to each patient, so the first appointment will vary in activities. Some patients will receive palate expanders while others may get braces. We’ll let you know what you can expect after our initial consultation.

You might consider braces for your child if they have issues like crowded or overlapping teeth, noticeable gaps, an overbite or underbite, or difficulty chewing. Your child's dentist may identify these concerns during regular check-ups and may recommend an orthodontic evaluation. Early signs, such as difficulty biting or chewing, mouth breathing, or thumb-sucking beyond early childhood, can also indicate the need for braces. However, every child is different! If you’re curious whether or not your child needs braces, scheduling an initial consultation will answer all of your questions about their potential orthodontic treatment needs. It is normal to come into the office without a referral—we are happy to help you!

At the time you schedule your appointment, please send us your insurance information. It can take a few days to get all the information we need from the insurance company to give you the most accurate quote.

For your child's first orthodontic appointment, bring any recent dental records or X-rays. It's also helpful to have a list of your child's current medications and any relevant medical history. We're here to answer any questions during this appointment too.

We understand that your time is valuable, you (parent or guardian) can sign the treatment consents and bring the form of payment at that appointment.

Your child will typically need to visit the orthodontist every 4 to 8 weeks. These regular appointments allow the orthodontist to adjust the braces, monitor progress, and make any necessary modifications to the treatment plan. The exact frequency of visits may vary depending on your child's specific treatment needs.