Thinking about braces or clear aligners? Your first visit sets the tone for everything that follows. At Dillehay Orthodontics, we’ve spent decades helping families feel confident about their smile options as part of our tradition of 50 years of family orthodontics, and it all starts with a free orthodontic consultation.
Here’s what happens, what to bring, and how to know if you’re ready to book.
What Is a Free Orthodontic Consultation?
A free orthodontic consultation is a no-cost first visit with a specialist who evaluates your teeth, bite, and jaw alignment, then walks you through treatment options like braces or clear aligners. There’s no exam fee, no deposit, and no insurance billed for the appointment itself.
“Free” really does mean free at Dillehay Orthodontics. You won’t be charged for the exam, the digital records, or the doctor’s time. You also won’t be pressured to sign up for treatment that day. The visit is designed to give you information, not a sales pitch.
This type of consultation is appropriate at almost any age. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first evaluation by age 7, but teens and adults are welcome anytime. Whether you’re a parent wondering if your child needs early treatment or an adult considering clear aligners for the first time, the consult gives you honest answers from a specialist orthodontist.
Dillehay Orthodontics is a specialist practice, meaning both Dr. Ken Dillehay and Dr. JK Dillehay completed additional years of training beyond dental school specifically in tooth movement, jaw development, and bite correction.
How the Consultation Works: Step-by-Step
Most first visits take 45 to 60 minutes from check-in to checkout. Here’s the flow:
- Check-in and welcome (10-15 minutes). You’ll fill out a short health history if you didn’t complete it online, meet your treatment coordinator, and get a quick tour if it’s your first time in the office. Bring a water bottle and get comfortable.
- Exam. Dr. JK Dillehay or Dr. Ken Dillehay examines your teeth, gums, jaw joints, and bite alignment. This part is hands-on and quick. The doctor is looking for crowding, spacing, crossbites, overbites, underbites, and any signs of TMJ concerns.
- Digital records. We take a panoramic X-ray, a digital scan of your teeth (no goopy impressions), and intraoral photos. These records let the doctor see what’s happening above and below the gumline and plan tooth movement precisely.
- Chairside diagnosis review. Your images go up on a screen right next to you. The doctor points to exactly what they see and explains it in plain language, no confusing jargon, no rushed summary.
- Personalized treatment plan. You’ll hear which options make sense for your smile. That might include metal braces, clear aligners, our in-house Simply Clear system, interceptive treatment for younger kids, or surgical orthodontics for complex bite issues.
- Cost breakdown and next steps. Your treatment coordinator reviews the total investment, insurance benefits, and payment options. If you’re ready, you can start your treatment the same day. If you want time to think, take your written plan home.
Benefits of Booking a Free Orthodontic Consultation
Scrolling through TikTok or filling out a mail-order aligner quiz isn’t the same as being seen by a specialist. A real consultation gives you information you can actually trust, and it does more than tell you if you need braces. It gives you a real starting point for making a smart choice about your smile.
What Diagnostic Value Does a Free Consult Provide?
A specialist orthodontist can tell the difference between cosmetic crowding and a bite issue that needs functional correction. Social media guesses can’t do that. You’ll get an accurate diagnosis backed by X-rays, a digital scan, and hands-on exam findings, not guesswork from a phone screen.
Consultations often catch crossbites, impacted teeth, jaw growth issues, and TMJ/TMD warning signs before they become bigger concerns. For kids, timing matters. Catching things early can sometimes reduce how much treatment is needed later. For adults, an early read on bite issues can help protect long-term tooth wear and gum health, too.
You’ll also see side-by-side comparisons of your options. Wondering how long braces would take versus clear aligners? You’ll see estimated timelines, appliance photos, and honest tradeoffs for each option.
How Does a Free Consult Help Me Make a Confident Decision?
Zero financial risk is a big piece of it. You can explore braces, clear aligners, Simply Clear, and even surgical orthodontic options without spending a dollar. If it turns out you don’t need treatment yet, we’ll tell you honestly, and we’ll let you know when to check back in.
Beyond that, you’ll get a feel for the office. You’ll meet your doctor, meet the team, and see the space. Smile transformation means regular visits over many months, so fit matters. If something feels off, better to know now than after you’ve committed.
Best of all, you leave with a written plan to take home. You don’t have to decide anything on the spot. Bring the plan home, talk it over with family, compare with other offices if you’d like, and come back when you’re ready.
That last point matters. We want you to feel confident, not cornered. From our family to yours, this is how we’ve been building relationships one smile at a time for decades.
In-Office vs. Virtual Consultation: Which Is Right for You?
Not sure if you should come in or start online? Both work. They just serve different purposes.
| Feature | In-Office Consultation | Virtual Consult |
|---|---|---|
| Time needed | 45-60 minutes | 5-10 minutes to submit |
| Records taken | Panoramic X-ray, digital scan, photos | Photos you upload from home |
| Diagnostic depth | Full diagnosis and treatment plan | General candidacy screening |
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Best for | Anyone ready to explore treatment seriously | Curious first-timers, out-of-town families, busy schedules |
| Next step | Same-day treatment possible | Follow-up in-office visit before starting |
When to choose in-office. If you’re fairly sure you want treatment, or you have specific symptoms like jaw discomfort, crowding, or a bite that doesn’t feel right, come in. Only an in-office exam with real X-rays and a digital scan can produce a definitive treatment plan.
When to choose virtual. If you just want a first look, a virtual consult is a great starting point. Snap a few photos of your smile, submit them, and one of our doctors will give you a general read on candidacy and options. Anyone who decides to move forward will still need an in-office visit before treatment begins.
Dillehay Orthodontics offers both a free in-office consultation and a Virtual Consult so you can start wherever feels right.
Cost, Insurance, and Financing: What to Expect
The consultation itself is 100% free. No exam fee, no X-ray fee, no insurance billed for the visit. You walk out owing nothing regardless of whether you decide to start treatment.
If you do move forward, treatment cost depends on a few factors:
- Case complexity. Simple spacing corrections cost less than full bite correction with surgical orthodontics.
- Appliance type. Metal braces, clear aligners, and Simply Clear each have different price points.
- Treatment length. Longer cases with more appointments generally cost more than short ones.
Your treatment coordinator handles insurance verification during your visit and shows you exactly what your plan covers. If you have HSA or FSA funds, those can be applied. We also offer flexible payments with a low down payment, zero-interest monthly plans, a pay-in-full savings option, and third-party financing for longer terms.
You’ll leave with a written estimate. No same-day commitment required, ever.
Who Should Schedule a Consultation?
Not sure if it’s time? Here are the groups who benefit most:
- Children by age 7. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7, even if no treatment is needed yet. This is about monitoring jaw growth and catching issues early.
- Teens ages 11-14. This is the classic braces window, when most permanent teeth have erupted and jaw growth is still active. Great timing for both braces and clear aligners.
- Adults of any age. Shifted teeth, retainer relapse from years ago, long-standing bite concerns, or a smile you’ve always wanted to improve? Adult treatment is more common than ever, and clear aligners make it easier to fit into daily life.
- Anyone with symptoms. Jaw clicking or popping, TMJ discomfort, crowding, gaps, difficulty chewing, or chronic mouth breathing are all reasons to be evaluated.
You don’t need a referral from your dentist to see us. You can book a free consultation directly with Dillehay Orthodontics. Both Dr. Ken Dillehay, DDS, MS and Dr. JK Dillehay, DDS, MS are specialist orthodontists, which means you’re getting specialist-level care from the very first visit. Every smile tells a story, and the consult is where yours begins, ready when you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are orthodontic consultations really free?
Yes. At Dillehay Orthodontics, the consultation is completely free. There’s no exam fee, no charge for X-rays or the digital scan, and no insurance billed for the visit. You also won’t be asked to put down a deposit or commit to treatment that day. It’s simply a chance to get answers and see your options laid out clearly, with no strings attached.
How long does the consultation take?
Plan for 45 to 60 minutes, though some visits wrap up closer to 30 minutes. That includes check-in, the exam, digital records, your diagnosis review with the doctor, and a walkthrough of treatment options and costs with your coordinator. If you have a lot of questions, we’re happy to take extra time, we’d rather you leave feeling fully informed.
Do I need a dentist referral?
No referral required. You can book directly with Dillehay Orthodontics. If your general dentist did recommend a consult, bring any notes or recent X-rays they shared so we can add them to your records. Sharing that information can also help us avoid duplicating any imaging that’s already been done recently.
Will I get X-rays at the first visit?
In most cases, yes. A panoramic X-ray and a digital scan of your teeth are standard so the doctor can build an accurate treatment plan the same day. If you’ve had recent orthodontic X-rays taken elsewhere, bring them and we may be able to use those instead.
Can treatment start the same day?
Sometimes, yes. For straightforward cases where you’re ready to move forward, we can often start your treatment the same day as your free consult. More complex cases may need a follow-up appointment for treatment planning first, and your doctor will let you know which path fits your situation.
What should I bring to my orthodontist visit?
Bring a photo ID, your insurance card if you have orthodontic coverage, any recent dental X-rays from the last 6 to 12 months, and a list of questions. If the visit is for your child, one parent or guardian should plan to attend so we can review the treatment plan together and answer any questions on the spot.