Concept illustration: a clear aligner on a white stone counter, a brass dish behind it and a window onto trees

Invisalign treatment

Your Invisalign aligners are fully removable for meals, giving you complete flexibility for eating.

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Braces

Braces are well suited to both major and minor orthodontic cases. They consist of clear or metal brackets attached to each tooth.

Metal BracesCeramic Braces

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Concept illustration: brackets on a curved archwire on a terrazzo counter with a brass inlay, by a window onto trees
Concept illustration: a clear aligner on an oak counter beside a brass dish of tooth-colored brackets, by a window onto trees

Hybrid

The Braces PhaseThe Invisalign Phase

We may adjust your braces, provide new aligner sets, or transition between methods as your treatment progresses.

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Retainers

A dental retainer is a custom-made appliance that maintains the position of your teeth after orthodontic treatment.

Concept illustration: a clear removable retainer in an open white case on a pale terrazzo sill by a window onto trees

Clear Removable RetainersFixed Retainers

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All Ages

At Kunik Orthodontics, we provide age-appropriate treatment options from early intervention for children to discreet solutions for adults.

Come inChildren and teensAdults

Concept illustration: three clear retainers in a row on pale terrazzo below a brass edge and a window onto trees, the one at the left smaller than the other two

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What happens at a first orthodontic consultation, and what should you bring?

Five of the practical questions about a first consultation are answered in the practice’s own words. For the visit itself, this page follows the general account of the American Association of Orthodontists, then covers what to bring, who the visit is for and the three offices.

The short answer

At a first orthodontic consultation, the orthodontist evaluates the teeth, bite and jaws, and the office may take photos, X-rays or digital scans toward a diagnosis and a treatment recommendation, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. Its guide to a first appointment asks patients to send or bring their dental and medical history with any medications, dental insurance information, details for their general dentist and primary care physician, and their questions.

Referrals, insurance, paperwork, waiting and the consultation offer, in the practice’s words

Kunik Orthodontics publishes five lines that bear on a first consultation, and they print here exactly as the practice writes them:

  • Consultations are always free of charge.
  • You do not need a referral.
  • Insurance verified before your first visit
  • No-paperwork appointments
  • Minimal wait times

The referral line matches the general advice of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO): “You do not need to wait for a dentist referral to see an AAO orthodontist.” How long a consultation runs and what it covers are worth asking when you book.

The exam, the records and the plan, as the AAO describes a first visit

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) describes a first orthodontic visit as “an opportunity to learn more about your needs, ask questions, discuss concerns, and receive treatment recommendations,” and as “a chance to get to know the orthodontist and the team.”

At that visit, the AAO says, “the orthodontist will evaluate your teeth, bite, and jaws,” and “the office may take photos, X-rays, or digital scans to help create a diagnosis and treatment recommendation.” Its step-by-step guide gives each record a purpose: X-rays show the positions of the teeth, the roots and the jawbones; facial and dental photographs help plan treatment and track progress; and molds or digital scans may be taken to reproduce the teeth or to make custom appliances.

After the exam, the same guide says, the orthodontist discusses the findings with you and proposes a treatment plan, and you learn about the expected length of treatment and any potential risks or limitations.

Each of those records is a “may” in the AAO’s account, not a fixed list. For scans, the practice’s own term is iTero digital scans; which records a first visit at Kunik Orthodontics includes is something to ask when you get in touch.

What to send or bring before the consultation

The AAO’s guide to a first appointment lists what to provide, whether you email it ahead or bring copies to the visit:

  • Dental and medical history records, with any medications you take.
  • Dental insurance information.
  • Details for your general dentist and your primary care physician.
  • Your questions or concerns about orthodontic treatment.

What the office needs from you ahead of the visit, and what No-paperwork appointments means for your own visit, are questions for the call or text that books it.

The last item, your questions, is worth writing down before the visit: what bothers you about your teeth, any date you are working toward and anything a dentist has already told you. Some may already be covered among the orthodontic questions this site answers one by one.

Me, My teen or My child: who the visit is for

The consultation request at the foot of this page opens with a blank, This visit is for, and three choices: Me, My teen and My child. One sentence of the practice’s covers all three: At Kunik Orthodontics, we provide age-appropriate treatment options from early intervention for children to discreet solutions for adults.

  • My child: We start seeing kids at age 7 to watch their growth.
  • My teen: Dr. Kunik’s approach to teen orthodontic treatment is compassionate and considerate, informed by his own experiences as a parent.
  • Me: Kunik Orthodontics serves a majority adult clientele, prioritizing realistic expectations, clear communication, and customized treatment plans.

Why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first evaluation by age 7 is explained under orthodontics for children and teens, and the page on treatment as an adult covers braces and clear aligners after the teen years.

Coming in with a treatment plan from another office

The AAO’s advice on choosing an orthodontist says patients “may choose to meet with more than one orthodontist before beginning treatment.” A consultation is how that happens in practice, whether or not another office has already proposed a plan.

For a treatment plan already written by another office, the practice’s own words are short: we are happy to be a second opinion.

If that is the reason for your visit, the request on this page has a choice for it under What is most important to you: A second opinion. Whether to bring the other office’s plan, records or X-rays is worth settling when you book.

Three Austin offices for a first consultation

A first consultation can be at any of the three offices, which keep the same hours: Monday to Thursday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The request on this page asks which office you want, by name or as Whichever office is first available. We offer flexible scheduling across our three locations to accommodate your busy lifestyle.

With Dr. Kunik as your only doctor, you’ll receive consistent care and attention throughout your treatment. His degree, license and orthodontic training are set out in Dr. Kunik’s section of the home page, and Find us plays the drive up to each office and names the door to look for.

X-rays and insurance details before a first consultation

What about X-rays my dentist has already taken?

The American Dental Association says “If a previous dentist has any images of you, your new dentist may ask for copies instead of ordering new ones,” and suggests asking both dentists for help forwarding them. That is the ADA’s guidance between dentists. Whether X-rays from your dentist can serve an orthodontic diagnosis at Kunik Orthodontics is for the office to say when you book.

How do insurance details fit into a first consultation?

Dental insurance information is on the AAO’s list of what to send or bring to a first appointment. The practice’s own line is Insurance verified before your first visit, so the details are worth having ready when you book. The office can tell you at that point which details it needs and how to send them.

Sources

Book a first orthodontic consultation at the office you choose

Fill in the three blanks of the consultation request below, or call the office you want.

Schedule Free ConsultationText (512) 327-8818Find us
Domain, Downtown and Westlake: Monday to Thursday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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Send it from your own phone as it is, or add a line with questions or times and dates that work best for you. It books nothing. Change the three blanks first if you like, or call an office instead.

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Hi. I’d like a consultation at whichever office is first available. Please text me back.

Open in Messages Monday to Thursday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

You do not need a referral.

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