Your First Visit
Whether you’re coming in for yourself or bringing your child in for the very first time, we want you to know one thing before you even walk through the door: there’s nothing to stress about. Your first visit at Dual Image Orthodontics is relaxed, pressure-free, and completely free — no obligation, no hard sell, just a genuine conversation about your smile and what’s possible.
We’ve designed the first visit experience to be exactly what it should be: informative, fun, and worth your time.
What to Expect
A Warm Welcome
From the moment you arrive at our NoDa or Steele Creek office, you’ll notice the vibe is different. We’re not a stuffy, clinical environment — we’re the fun, high-tech office that Charlotte families actually look forward to visiting. Our team will greet you by name, get you settled in, and make sure you feel at home.
A Comprehensive Exam
Dr. Bryan or Dr. Lauren will take the time to thoroughly evaluate your teeth, bite, and jaw. Using our digital scanner and, when needed, our in-office CBCT imaging, we get a complete, precise picture of what’s happening — without goopy impressions or unnecessary guesswork. You’re in the hands of two board-certified orthodontists from the very first appointment.
A Real Conversation About Your Options
Once we have a clear picture of your smile, your doctor will sit down with you and walk through everything they found — in plain language, not orthodontic jargon. You’ll learn about which treatment options are the right fit for your case, what the process would look like, how long treatment would take, and what it would cost. You ask the questions; we give you honest answers.
A Preview of Your Smile
For many patients, we’re able to show you a digital preview of what your smile could look like at the end of treatment — before you’ve made a single decision. There’s nothing quite like seeing that for the first time.
We never push anyone into a treatment decision on the first visit. Our goal is to make sure you leave with more clarity than you came in with — a full understanding of your options, your timeline, and your investment. Whatever you decide after that, we’ll support it. When you’re ready to take the next step, we’ll be here!
Financial Info
At Dual Image Orthodontics, we believe that cost should never stand between you and the smile you deserve. We’ve worked hard to make sure our financial options are as flexible and straightforward as possible — so you can focus on your treatment, not the paperwork.
Insurance
We welcome most major dental insurance plans that include orthodontic benefits, and our team will handle the coordination on your behalf. We’ll verify your coverage before treatment begins, walk you through exactly what your plan covers, and make sure you’re getting every dollar of benefit you’re entitled to. No surprises, no fine print you have to decode on your own.
Flexible Payment Plans
We offer flexible, in-house payment plans designed to fit a wide range of budgets. Whether you’re financing treatment for yourself, your teen, or your whole family, we’ll work with you to build a payment schedule that makes sense for your life.
During your free consultation, you’ll receive a full, transparent breakdown of your treatment investment before you make any decisions. No pressure, no hidden fees — just clear information so you can make the right choice for your family with total confidence.
After Hours Care
Life with braces comes with a learning curve, and sometimes questions or minor issues pop up outside of office hours. Don’t stress — most things that come up at home are easy to manage on your own, and we’ve put together everything you need to know right here. When something needs our attention, we’re never far away.
Eating with Braces
The first week or so after getting your braces is the biggest adjustment when it comes to food. Your mouth is getting used to everything, and softer is definitely better during this time. Think of foods that require gentle chewing — oatmeal, pancakes, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, bananas, applesauce, soups, cooked vegetables, and soft ice cream are all great starting points. Once the initial soreness fades, you’ll be able to expand your menu — but there are some foods that are off-limits for the full duration of treatment.
Foods to Avoid
The short version: hard, sticky, crunchy, and tough foods are the enemy of braces. Here’s what to steer clear of:
- Sticky foods — gum, caramel, toffee, tootsie rolls, peanut butter, and granola bars. These can pull brackets off and get lodged in places that are nearly impossible to clean.
- Hard foods — raw carrots, hard apples, hard candies, and anything else that requires serious force to bite through. Hard foods are one of the most common reasons brackets break.
- Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, and hard tacos. Even small pieces can get under wires and cause problems.
- Tough foods — bagels, corn on the cob, steak, ribs, and thick sandwiches. Anything that requires you to tear or pull with your front teeth.
A few workarounds: You don’t have to give up everything. Cook your vegetables until they’re soft, cut your corn off the cob before eating it, and slice apples and sandwiches into small, bite-sized pieces. When in doubt about a specific food, just ask us — we’d rather you check than end up with a broken bracket.
General Soreness
It’s completely normal for your teeth and gums to feel sore and sensitive after getting braces put on, and again after each adjustment appointment. This is your teeth responding to movement — which means things are working exactly as they should.
To ease the discomfort, rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater solution (about a teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water) or take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed. Soft foods during these days help too. The soreness typically eases up within two to four days.
If a wire or bracket is rubbing against the inside of your cheek or lip, dental wax is your best friend. Roll a small piece into a ball, press it over the problem area, and it will act as a cushion until you can come in. Dental wax is available at our office and at any local drugstore.
Loose Wire, Bracket, or Band
At some point during treatment, something is likely to come loose. A bracket may pop off, or a wire may shift out of place. It’s one of the most common calls we get, and it’s almost always something we can take care of quickly when you come in.
In the meantime, here’s what you can do:
If a wire is poking out and causing irritation, try gently nudging it back into place using a clean pencil eraser or the back of a pen. If the wire is flexible, tweezers may help reposition it. If you can’t move it and it’s poking your cheek or gum, cover it with a small piece of dental wax to protect the area until your appointment.
What to do next: Contact us to schedule a repair appointment as soon as possible. While a loose bracket or wire isn’t usually a painful emergency, it does need to be addressed promptly to keep your treatment on track.
Brushing and Caring for Your Braces
Good oral hygiene is always important — but when you have braces, it’s critical. Brackets and wires create extra surfaces where food and plaque can hide, and neglecting brushing and flossing can lead to gum problems, discoloration, or even cavities that complicate your treatment.
Brush thoroughly after every meal and before bed — getting around each bracket and along the gumline. Floss at least once a day using a floss threader or orthodontic flosser to get under the wire. If you’re ever unsure whether you’re doing it correctly, just ask us at your next visit — we’re happy to show you the best technique for your specific setup.
The time you invest in keeping your teeth clean during treatment is what ensures you end up with a healthy, beautiful smile at the end — not just a straight one.
Orthodontic Emergencies
True orthodontic emergencies are rare, but if you’re experiencing significant pain or have a situation that can’t wait, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact our office directly, and you’ll find information on how to get in touch with our team for after-hours assistance. We want to make sure you’re never left without support when you need it most.
Eating with Braces
It’s not going to be easy at first, and in the beginning foods you can eat will be limited. You’ll want to stick to foods that are soft, fluffy and easily mashed up. Pancakes, oatmeal, bananas, soups, cooked vegetables, applesauce, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, and soft ice cream – just to suggest a few. Stay away from foods that are hard, crunchy, sticky or tough.
Foods to Avoid
Sticky: gum, caramel, tootsie rolls, peanut butter, toffee, granola bars.
Hard: apples, carrots and other raw vegetables.
Crunchy: popcorn, chips, hard tacos.
Tough: bagels, corn on the cob, sandwiches, steak, ribs.
There are a few tricks around some problem foods. You can cook your vegetables to make them softer, cut your corn off the cob, and slice apples and sandwiches into small, bite sized pieces. If you’re in doubt about a particular food, ask the doctor.
General Soreness
Your mouth is going to feel sensitive and a bit sore when you first get your braces put on. To help alleviate the soreness, you can rinse your mouth with a salt-water solution or take an over-the-counter analgesic. . If your braces are rubbing or poking your mouth, you can use dental wax (available at the office or your local drugstore) to cover problem areas and prevent blisters.
Loose Wire, Bracket or Band
Inevitably, something is going to come loose. A bracket will loosen or a wire may pop out of place. Don’t worry! If it’s a flexible wire, you might be able to push it back into place using tweezers. If you can’t move it with tweezers, you can use a pencil eraser or the back of a pen to push the offending wire down. Dental wax will also be your friend, place a small amount on the spot to cover the problem area. Next, schedule an appointment to have the wire, bracket, or band repaired.
Care of Appliances: Brushing
It is always important to brush and floss your teeth to keep them clean and healthy – with braces, it’s more important than ever. Consistent brushing and flossing will ensure that your gums and teeth remain healthy throughout your treatment.
Emergencies
If an orthodontic emergency arises where the patient is in pain after hours, please contact our office. Information is available regarding who to contact for further assistance.