A lot of people put off calling an orthodontist for years. Not because they don’t want a better smile, but because they don’t know what they’re walking into. Will it be a hard sell? Will they push treatment I don’t need? Will I leave with a bill before I’ve decided anything?
Those are fair concerns and I want to address them directly before you even pick up the phone.
At Sims Orthodontics, your first appointment is free. No referral needed, no obligation, no pressure. It’s a conversation. You come in, we look at what’s going on with your teeth and bite, I tell you honestly what I see, and we talk about your options. If you’re not ready to start treatment or if treatment isn’t needed yet, that’s completely fine. You won’t be chased down or guilt-tripped.
Pensacola readers have voted us Best Orthodontist through Best of the Bay and VIP Magazine more times than I can count, winning or finishing as a top finalist almost every year since 2013. That recognition matters to me not as a trophy but as a signal that patients leave here feeling good about their experience. That starts at the very first appointment.
Here’s exactly what happens from the moment you walk in.
Before You Arrive
You don’t need to do much to prepare. A few things that are helpful to know:
No referral required. You can call us directly and schedule a free consultation at any of our three locations in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, or Crestview. You don’t need your dentist to send you.
Bring your insurance card if you have one. We’ll run a complimentary benefits check during your visit so you know exactly what your plan covers. You don’t need to figure this out ahead of time. We handle it.
Recent dental cleaning preferred. We like patients to be current on their dental cleanings and free of active cavities before starting orthodontic treatment. If you’re overdue for a cleaning, it’s worth scheduling that first. If you’re not sure, come in anyway and we’ll let you know where things stand.
Write down your questions. Seriously. Patients often think of great questions on the drive over and forget half of them once they’re in the chair. Bring a list. We’d rather answer ten questions than have you leave uncertain about something important.
When You Walk In
You’ll be greeted by our front desk team and get a tour of the office. We want you to feel comfortable here, especially if it’s your child’s first visit. Orthodontic offices can feel clinical and unfamiliar if you’ve never been to one. We work hard to make ours feel welcoming.
One thing that’s different about our practice: you will meet me at your first appointment. Every new patient, every time. Not a treatment coordinator. Not an assistant presenting a plan the doctor signed off on from the back. Me. I do every initial exam personally because I think you deserve to meet the person who will be responsible for your treatment before you make any decisions.
The Examination
The clinical exam is thorough but not uncomfortable. Here’s what it involves.
I’ll look at your teeth, your bite, and your jaw. I’m evaluating how your teeth come together, whether there are any bite issues like crossbites, overbites, or underbites, how crowded or spaced the teeth are, and in younger patients, how development and growth are progressing.
For most new patients we take digital records. This includes photographs of your face and smile, and X-rays if needed. We use digital 3D scanning technology instead of the old goopy impressions most people remember from childhood. The scanner is a small wand that moves around your mouth and creates a precise 3D model of your teeth in minutes. No gagging, no trays full of material, nothing to dread. Kids especially love watching their teeth appear on the screen in real time.
The whole clinical portion typically takes 30 to 45 minutes.
The Consultation
After the exam I’ll sit down with you, or with you and your child, and go over everything I found. I explain what I see in plain language, not clinical jargon. If something needs attention I’ll tell you why, what the options are, and what happens if we wait. If everything looks fine I’ll tell you that too.
This is also where we talk about timing. Not every patient needs to start treatment right away, even if treatment is eventually needed. For younger children especially, sometimes the right answer is to monitor development and come back in six months. Those observation visits are at no charge.
If you’re a candidate for treatment and want to move forward, we go over:
- What type of treatment I recommend and why
- How long treatment will take
- What it costs, with exact numbers not estimates
- How your insurance applies
- What payment plan options look like
- What the first few weeks of treatment feel like
Nothing gets scheduled or started until you’re ready. There’s no deposit collected at the first visit, no paperwork that locks you in. You go home, think about it, talk to your family, and call us when you’re ready to move forward.
A Note on the Cost Conversation
I know cost is on everyone’s mind walking in, which is why we address it completely and transparently at the first appointment. You’ll leave knowing the exact fee for your treatment, what your insurance covers, what your out-of-pocket cost is, and what your monthly payment would look like under our 0% interest financing.
For most families, the numbers are more manageable than expected once insurance and financing are factored in. We’ve helped patients at almost every income level find a way to make treatment work within their budget. If the timing isn’t right financially, we’ll be honest about that too and keep the door open for when it is.
For a full breakdown of what treatment costs at our practice, see our post on how much braces cost in Pensacola.
For Parents Bringing Kids In
If you’re bringing a child for their first orthodontic visit, a few things worth knowing.
We see kids starting at age 7, which is when the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first screening. Most 7-year-olds don’t need treatment yet, but the visit lets us identify anything worth monitoring and catch the specific problems that are much easier to fix early. See our full post on when children should first see an orthodontist for more on what we’re looking for at that age.
We’re good with kids. That’s not something every orthodontic practice can honestly say but we’ve been doing this for a long time and our team is genuinely great with younger patients. If your child is nervous, let us know when you call. We can talk you through what to expect and make sure the first visit is a positive experience.
One thing kids sometimes worry about: the 3D scanner. We love showing it to them before we start. Watching your own teeth appear on a screen in 3D is actually pretty cool and it makes the whole thing feel less scary.
After Your Appointment
If you decide to move forward with treatment, we’ll schedule your records appointment or your bonding appointment depending on your case and how quickly you want to get started.
If you’re not ready yet or want to think about it, there’s no follow-up pressure. We’ll send you home with a summary of what we discussed and you can reach out whenever you’re ready. Our front desk is easy to reach by phone or online and we’re happy to answer any questions that come up after you leave.
If your child is going into our observation program, we’ll schedule a check-in appointment typically six months out, at no charge, to see how things are developing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to schedule a consultation at Sims Orthodontics? No. You can call or book online directly without a referral from your dentist or any other provider. Just reach out and we’ll get you scheduled.
How long does the first appointment take? Plan for about an hour. The clinical exam and digital records typically take 30 to 45 minutes. The consultation and cost discussion take the remaining time. We don’t rush first appointments.
Will I meet Dr. Sims at my first visit? Yes. Every new patient meets Dr. Sims personally at their first appointment. He performs every initial exam and goes over findings and recommendations directly with the patient or family.
Is the consultation really free? Yes. There is no charge for the initial consultation and no obligation to start treatment. We check your insurance benefits at no charge as well.
What should I bring to my first appointment? Your insurance card if you have one, a list of any questions you want to ask, and a recent dental cleaning if possible. That’s it.
Can I bring my whole family to one appointment? We see one patient per appointment so we can give each person proper attention. If you have multiple family members who need evaluations, we’re happy to schedule them back to back on the same day so you only make one trip.
What if my child is scared of the dentist? Let us know when you call. Our team is experienced with anxious younger patients and we’ll make sure the first visit is calm and positive. The digital scanner we use instead of impressions is one less thing to be nervous about. Most kids actually enjoy it once they see how it works.
What happens if I need to think about it before committing? Completely fine. You go home, talk it over, and call us when you’re ready. There’s no pressure and no expiration date on your consultation findings. We’re here when the timing is right for you.
Book your free consultation at Sims Orthodontics
Pensacola. Gulf Breeze. Crestview. No referral needed.
Sims Orthodontics serves families from Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Crestview, Navarre, Pace, Milton, and across Northwest Florida.
