If you’ve scheduled your first orthodontic appointment (or you’re thinking about it), you probably have a few questions.
What happens at the first orthodontist appointment? How long does an orthodontic consultation take? Will we find out if braces are needed?
Whether the visit is for your child, your teen, or yourself, knowing what to expect can make that first step feel a whole lot easier.
At Bayer & Curtis Orthodontics in Fort Walton Beach, your first visit is complimentary and designed to give you answers without pressure. You’ll get dedicated time with your Board-Certified orthodontist, Dr. Leigh Curtis, a comprehensive look at your smile, and clear guidance about what comes next.
It all starts with one simple question: How can we make you smile?
Here’s what you can expect:
1. A Warm Welcome & Time to Get to Know You
From the moment you walk through our doors, we want you to feel like more than another name on the schedule.
Bayer & Curtis Orthodontics is a privately owned hometown practice that’s cared for Emerald Coast families since 1972. We know our patients by name, and many of our team members have been here for decades. Expect friendly faces, plenty of laughter, and people who take the time to get to know your family.
At your first appointment, we’ll take time to learn what brought you in, what you hope to achieve, and any questions or concerns you have about your smile.
Maybe you’re a parent wondering whether your 7-year-old needs early treatment. Maybe your teen is ready for braces or clear aligners. Or maybe you’ve been thinking about transforming your own smile for years.
Wherever you’re starting, we’ll meet you there.
2. Digital X-Rays, Photos & a Comfortable Smile Scan
Next, we’ll gather the information Dr. Curtis needs to understand what’s happening beyond what we can see during a visual exam.
Depending on your needs, your visit may include digital X-rays, photos, and an iTero® digital smile scan. When clinically appropriate, a CBCT scan can provide a more detailed, 3D view of your teeth and jaws.
Our digital technology allows us to gather highly detailed information comfortably and efficiently. Dr. Curtis combines these advanced tools with time-tested orthodontic principles to carefully evaluate your smile and plan treatment for you.
3. One-on-One Time With Dr. Curtis
This is one of the most important parts of your first orthodontic appointment.
You’ll spend dedicated time with Dr. Curtis, your Board-Certified orthodontist. She personally evaluates every new patient and takes the time to explain what she sees, what it means, and what she recommends.
Dr. Curtis approaches treatment with a simple perspective: provide the kind of thoughtful, heart-led care she would want for her own family.
And a consultation doesn’t automatically mean treatment.
If now is the right time to begin, she’ll explain why and walk you through your options. If your child is still growing and would benefit from waiting, we may simply monitor their development with periodic checkups. And if orthodontic treatment isn’t necessary, we’ll tell you that too.
You’ll leave knowing where things stand and what comes next.
4. Exploring Your Orthodontic Treatment Options
If Dr. Curtis recommends treatment, we’ll help you understand which options are best suited to your smile, age, lifestyle, and treatment needs.
Bayer & Curtis Orthodontics offers braces and clear aligners for children, teens, and adults, including:
- Traditional metal braces
- Clear braces
- Clear aligners (including Invisalign® & Angel Aligner™) for kids, teens, and adults
Dr. Curtis combines modern technology with meticulous, conservative planning to create a smile with long-term health, function, and stability in mind.
And if braces are right for you and you’re ready to get started, you may not have to wait for another appointment. We offer same-day braces when appropriate. For Invisalign or Angel Aligner treatment, we can take your digital scan and begin the process of creating your custom aligners.
There’s no pressure to start that day, though. Your first appointment is about getting the information you need to make the decision that feels right for you and your family.
5. Clear Answers About Insurance, Cost & Financing
If treatment is recommended, we’ll also make sure you understand the financial side before moving forward.
Our team will review your insurance benefits, explain what’s included in your treatment, and walk you through flexible ways to make orthodontic care work within your family’s budget, including:
- 0% interest, in-house financing
- Extended payment options
- CareCredit® financing
- HSA and FSA payments accepted
- Flexible payment plans
- Insurance support and available discounts
We’ll work with you to create a payment plan that meets your needs and explain your costs before treatment begins. Our team verifies benefits and files insurance claims on your behalf, including TRICARE / United Concordia for military families.
Hometown Orthodontic Care, Close to Home
For families in Fort Walton Beach and across the Emerald Coast, choosing an orthodontist isn’t only about choosing braces or clear aligners. It’s choosing the people who will guide you through months or years of care.
Dr. Peter Bayer founded our practice in 1972. Today, his daughter, Dr. Leigh Curtis, continues that legacy of personal, family-centered care.
Our Fort Walton Beach office welcomes families from Destin, Niceville, Shalimar, Mary Esther, Navarre, Crestview, Eglin AFB, and Hurlburt Field. Spanish-speaking team members are here to help, too.
And when life takes you elsewhere, we offer virtual visits by text when an in-office appointment isn’t necessary—helpful for college students and military families navigating TDY/TAD.
Frequently Asked Questions About Your First Orthodontic Visit
How long is an orthodontic consultation?
Plan for about 45 minutes to an hour. Your first appointment includes time for your orthodontic exam, any necessary digital records, one-on-one time with Dr. Curtis, and a discussion of treatment and financial options if treatment is recommended.
We set aside this time so you can ask questions and leave with a clear understanding of your next steps.
Is an orthodontic consultation free?
Yes. Your first orthodontic consultation at Bayer & Curtis Orthodontics is complimentary!
Your visit includes a comprehensive orthodontic exam, necessary digital imaging, dedicated time with Dr. Curtis, and a personalized recommendation for your smile.
Do I need a dentist referral to see an orthodontist?
Nope! You don’t need a referral from your dentist to schedule an orthodontic consultation.
You can contact us directly whether you’re considering treatment, looking for an orthodontic evaluation for your child, or simply want an expert opinion about your smile.
What should I bring to my first orthodontist appointment?
If you have dental insurance, have your insurance information available so our team can review your orthodontic benefits.
It’s also helpful to come with any questions you have about your smile, treatment options, timing, or cost. This appointment is your opportunity to get answers.
What age should my child first see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic checkup around age 7.
That doesn’t mean your 7-year-old will need braces. An early evaluation allows Dr. Curtis to assess how the teeth and jaws are developing and determine whether treatment could be beneficial now or whether it makes more sense to monitor growth.
For children who do benefit from early treatment, Bayer & Curtis Orthodontics offers personalized options, including braces and clear aligners for growing smiles.
Can I get braces at my first orthodontist appointment?
In many cases, yes!
Bayer & Curtis Orthodontics offers same-day braces when appropriate for your smile and treatment plan. That means your consultation and braces placement may happen on the same day, saving you an additional trip to the office.
If you choose Invisalign or Angel Aligner clear aligners, we can take your digital scan and begin the process of creating your customized treatment.
There’s never an obligation to start immediately. Same-day treatment is simply available for your convenience when it’s the right fit and you’re ready.
How Can We Make You Smile?
Your first orthodontic appointment should leave you with more than a treatment recommendation. It should leave you feeling informed, encouraged, and confident about the path ahead.
At Bayer & Curtis Orthodontics, you’ll have a Board-Certified orthodontist who personally takes the time to understand your smile, a team that gets to know you by name, and modern treatment options thoughtfully planned around your needs.
Hometown roots. Heart-led care. A smile that feels like you.
Book your complimentary consultation with Dr. Curtis at Bayer & Curtis Orthodontics in Fort Walton Beach, FL, and let’s see how we can make you smile.
