What Happens at an Orthodontic Consultation?
Thinking about braces or Invisalign but not sure what to expect when you walk through the door? You're not alone. A lot of people put off scheduling a consultation simply because they don't know what the appointment involves — and honestly, that's the last thing we want to stand in the way of a great smile.
The good news: a first orthodontic consultation is easy, pressure-free, and usually a lot quicker than people expect. At Bankhead & Firth Orthodontics, our consultations are always complimentary — no charge, no obligation. We just want to meet you, learn about your goals, and give you the information you need to make a decision that feels right for you.
Here's a step-by-step look at what you can expect when you come in.
When you arrive, our front desk team will greet you and get you checked in. If it’s your first visit, we’ll send you a short new patient form ahead of time that you can fill out digitally right from your phone before you even walk through the door — basic stuff like your contact information, dental history, and any concerns you’d like the doctor to know about. If you’d rather just take care of it when you get here, that’s totally fine too. Either way, we keep it simple.
If you're bringing a child in for their consultation, we encourage you to bring them along for the whole appointment so they can meet the team and feel comfortable with the office. Orthodontic treatment works best when kids feel good about where they're going.
Before we can make any recommendations, we need to see what's going on. Our team will take a series of photos — of your face and your smile — along with digital X-rays. These images are painless and take just a few minutes.
The photos and X-rays give our doctors a complete picture of your teeth, jaw, and bite. This is important because orthodontics isn't just about how your teeth look on the surface — it's about how everything works together underneath. A thorough set of records means we can give you an accurate, personalized treatment recommendation instead of a generic one.
This is where you'll actually meet your doctor. Our orthodontists — Dr. John Firth, Dr. Justin Firth, or Dr. Kevin Kaiser — will review your records and do a clinical exam. They'll look at your teeth, bite, jaw alignment, and overall oral health to get a clear sense of what's going on and what might need to be corrected.
All three of our doctors are board-certified orthodontic specialists — meaning beyond dental school, they each completed an additional two to three years of orthodontic residency training focused entirely on moving teeth and correcting bites. That's a level of expertise you won't always find when seeing a general dentist for orthodontic treatment.
During the exam, feel free to ask questions. We want this to feel like a conversation, not a lecture.
After the exam, your doctor will walk you through what they found and explain your treatment options. Depending on your situation, that might include:
• Traditional metal braces
• Clear ceramic braces
• Invisalign clear aligners
• Early (Phase 1) treatment for children, if needed
• Monitoring and waiting, if your child isn't quite ready yet
Your doctor will explain which options make sense for your specific case, how long treatment is estimated to take, and what the process looks like from start to finish. There's no pressure to decide on the spot — this is just information so you can make the best choice for yourself or your child.
Once you have your treatment recommendation, our treatment coordinators will sit down with you to talk through the financial side. At Bankhead & Firth Orthodontics, we believe cost should never be a barrier to getting the care you need, so we work hard to make treatment accessible.
Here's what you should know:
• All treatment modalities are the same price. Choosing braces over Invisalign (or vice versa) won't cost you more. Cost varies based on the complexity and length of your individual case, not which option you pick.
• We accept all insurance. Our team will help you understand exactly what your plan covers and how to make the most of your benefits.
• HSA and FSA are welcome. These accounts can be a great way to pay for treatment with pre-tax dollars.
• 0% in-office financing is available. We offer in-house payment plans with zero interest so you can spread the cost over time without paying extra.
• We'll price match. If you've received a quote from another orthodontist in the area and the treatment plans are comparable, we'll do our best to match it.
Most consultations at Bankhead & Firth Orthodontics take between 45 minutes and an hour from start to finish. That includes check-in, records, the exam, your treatment discussion, and a chance to ask any lingering questions. We know your time is valuable, and we do our best to stay on schedule.
Nope — just show up. You don't need to bring X-rays from your dentist (we'll take our own), you don't need to have a treatment decision in mind, and you don't need to have your insurance information memorized. If you have your insurance card handy, bring it, but it's not a dealbreaker if you don't.
If you're bringing your child, it can help to talk with them beforehand about what to expect — just so they feel comfortable. But honestly, our team is great with kids. Most little ones leave more excited about braces than nervous.
That's completely fine. Some patients come in, get their information, and start treatment that same day. Others take a few weeks to think it over. And for younger patients, sometimes the recommendation is to wait six months and come back for a check-in.
There's no sales pressure here. Our job is to give you good information and let you decide what's right for your family. If you have questions after you leave, just give us a call — we're always happy to help.
Scheduling your consultation is the easiest step in the whole process — and it costs you nothing. Whether you're exploring options for your child or finally thinking about your own smile, we're here to help.
Bankhead & Firth Orthodontics has four convenient locations across the St. Louis area:
• Sunset Hills — 3890 S Lindbergh Blvd., Suite 115
• Oakville — 5524 Telegraph Rd.
• Eureka — 995 W 5th St.
• Columbia, IL — 1060 Admiral Weinel Blvd.
Call us at 314-843-5553 or visit www.bankheadandfirthortho.com to schedule your free consultation. You can also find us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook at @bankfirthortho.
We can't wait to meet you.
