A Warm Welcome
From the moment you walk through our door, our team’s goal is to make you feel comfortable, not just evaluated. Dr. MacKenzie is a mother of three herself, and that shapes how our whole team approaches new patients, especially children and teens who may feel a little nervous about their first orthodontic visit.
Whether this is your child’s first orthodontic screening or your own first step toward finally addressing a smile you have thought about for years, we treat every new patient with the same attention and care.
A Comprehensive, Personalized Evaluation
Every new patient receives a complete evaluation as part of their free consultation. This includes:
- A clinical exam of your teeth, bite, and jaw alignment
- Digital x-rays
- Clinical photographs
- A 3D intraoral scan, with no messy impressions
- A personalized smile simulation, so you can see a preview of your potential result
For children, this evaluation also looks at how permanent teeth are erupting and whether early intervention, such as a palatal expander, would be beneficial. Not every child who comes in for a first evaluation needs treatment right away, and we will always be direct with you about that.
Transparent and Honest Guidance
We believe you should never leave an appointment confused about your options or your costs. During your consultation, we will:
- Walk you through your treatment options, including braces, Angel Aligner, and Invisalign
- Explain our recommendation and the reasoning behind it
- Provide a clear, itemized breakdown of cost with no hidden fees
- Review your insurance coverage, since we direct-bill most insurance companies
- Walk through flexible, interest-free payment plan options
- Answer every question you have, with no obligation to move forward
Our Treatment Coordinator will personally walk you through insurance and payment details with clarity, so you leave with a complete understanding of what treatment involves and what it costs before you make any decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the first visit really free?
Yes. Your first consultation is completely free, for both children and adults, with no cost and no obligation to proceed with treatment.
How long does the first visit take?
Most consultations take about 40 minutes, which gives us enough time to complete a full evaluation, discuss your options, and answer all of your questions without feeling rushed.
What should I bring to my first visit?
Please bring your dental insurance information and complete any health history forms we send in advance. If you have previous dental x-rays for a child’s first visit, feel free to bring them, though this is not required. For a child consultation, both parents should ideally be present.
Am I too old to see the orthodontist?
Absolutely not. There is no upper limit to the age for orthodontic treatment. We have treated adult patients into their 80’s. Half of our patients are adults and there is no age limit to having a beautiful, healthy smile.
At what age should my child have their first orthodontic visit?
We recommend a first orthodontic screening at age 7 , in line with guidance from the Canadian Association of Orthodontists. Not every child needs treatment at this age. If treatment is not needed right away, we will simply monitor your child’s growth with a checkup every year until all of their permanent teeth have erupted.
My child is older than 7. Is it too late to see the orthodontist?
No, you can see the orthodontist at any age. We do recommend an initial consultation at age 7 but we will see children for consultation at any age. Most children do not require treatment until their early teen years. At the orthodontic consultation, Dr. MacKenzie will evaluate and teeth and bite and let you know what the best time for orthodontic treatment is. If your child isn’t ready yet, we will enroll them in our monitoring program.
Can I book my consultation online?
Yes. You can book your free consultation online at any time, or call our office directly to schedule an appointment at whichever of our three locations is most convenient for you.
