Office Visits

Our greatest goal is to give you the healthy, straight, and beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. We understand that choosing to receive orthodontic care is a big decision, and we respect your reasons for wanting to improve the way you look and feel.

Our practice will work with you every step of the way to make sure your orthodontic care is as rewarding as possible. We utilize the latest technology, and offer a variety of safe and gentle treatment options to give you the customized, individual care you deserve.

Every smile starts with an initial consultation!

Your initial consultation will give you the opportunity to meet our team, learn more about orthodontics, receive a complete initial exam, and find out which treatment options will best meet your needs. During your initial consultation, we will:

Review your dental and medical history forms
Perform a complete oral exam, with X-rays, to determine whether treatment is necessary
Help you create a customized treatment plan
Discuss all financial options, insurance information, and payment plans

Effective communication at the core of every patient experience. Our team will be glad to answer any questions you may have, and we will provide all the information you need to determine which treatment is right for you. Please contact our Hayes Valley/SOMA or Presidio Heights/Laurel Village practice to schedule your initial consultation.

What happens after the initial consultation?

You’re one step closer to achieving the smile you’ve always wanted! After your consultation, we will schedule your first appointment and Dr. Shen Garnett or Dr. Mahood will place your new orthodontic appliance. This appointment generally takes about an hour, and during this time our team will be available to make sure you are as comfortable as possible.

Scheduling Appointments

Visiting our office about every four to eight weeks is an essential part of your orthodontic treatment. Our practice will work with you to make sure your appointments are as convenient as possible. When scheduling appointments, please let us know which days and times work best for you.

We understand that “life happens”! If you’re running late or need to reschedule, please let us know and we will do everything we can to accommodate you. When you’re ready to schedule your first appointment, contact our practice and our friendly scheduling coordinator will assist you. We’re looking forward to working with you.

Virtual Consultations and Appointment

If you would like to schedule a virtual appointment or consultation, please call us to schedule one. We will instruct you on how to take photos of your teeth and send them to us prior to the appointment. The treatment coordinator along with either Dr. Bella Shen Garnett or Dr. Kimberly Mahood, will then set up a virtual consultation to give you your options along with a treatment plan based on the photos and video conference. If you would like to proceed with treatment, we will then schedule an appointment to take X-rays and an iTero® scan of your teeth. On occasion, the treatment plan may change after X-rays are taken as we need comprehensive records to make a definitive diagnosis and plan.

Visiting the dentist during orthodontic treatment

It is vital that you continue to visit your family dentist once every six months for teeth cleanings and routine dental checkups, even during your orthodontic treatment. If extra dental care is needed, we will be happy to coordinate with your family dentist to make sure you the best possible care.