Office Policies

Your First Visit

Complimentary Consultation and Exam

Dr. Ridder wants all of his patients to be provided the most accurate information at their first visit to our office. In order to accomplish this, we will take a full set of diagnostic records to determine the best course of treatment and give you the most accurate financial information. Complete diagnostic records typically include a medical/dental history, clinical examination, photos of the patient's face and teeth, and X-rays. This information is used to develop a custom treatment plan for each patient. After Dr. Ridder has evaluated your records, we will discuss your treatment with you in detail, including the cost to you and what benefits you may receive from your insurance.

Regular Appointments

The appointment when you get your appliances (braces, expanders, etc.) usually takes one to two hours. You'll then see us at regular intervals four to eight weeks apart for an adjustment, which takes 20 to 40 minutes. Patients are seen by appointment only. We make every effort to be on time for our patients and ask that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify us immediately.

Cost

The cost of treatment always depends on the severity of the patient's problem. Dr. Ridder is very conscious of making his treatment affordable to the families he serves in the community by taking a conservative approach on treating his patients. We will discuss any insurance benefits you may have as well as the total cost so you can make an informed decision regarding orthodontic treatment.

Fees

In an effort to keep orthodontic fees down while maintaining the highest level of professional care, we have established the following financial guidelines:

• If full payment is made at the onset of treatment, we will offer a fee discount. (If you have insurance, we will offer a discount for payment of your portion of the fee that will not be covered by insurance.)
• To fit your individual needs, financial arrangements can be made to extend your payments over the length of the treatment.
• For your convenience, we accept payment by Visa and Mastercard.
• Your account can be set up on auto-pay to avoid monthly statements

Insurance

Every insurance policy is different and provides unique benefits for the patient. We will verify your insurance coverage at the initial consultation to provide the most accurate financial information. We accept most insurance policies and unlike dental coverage, an orthodontist does not have to be a "preferred provider" or "in network" for you to receive your full benefit. Dr. Ridder feels that you do not need to sacrifice quality to have affordable orthodontic treatment. For specific questions regarding your policy, please contact our office.