We are open to serve you, answer questions or schedule appointments during the following hours:

Tuesday 10am to 6:00pm
Wednesday 10am to 6:00pm
Thursday 12:15pm to 7:00pm
October through May 1 st Saturday monthly

Appointments
Your scheduled appointment time has been reserved specifically for you. We request 24 hours notice if you need to cancel an appointment. We are aware that unforeseen events sometimes require missing an appointment.

OUR OFFICE POLICIES
As you will see, we enjoy serving our patients with the highest possible levels of orthodontic care and treatment. You will also see that the quality of service we can offer our patients is maximized by good communication – communication that is open and clear regarding the expectations and responsibilities of orthodontic patients.

Therefore, we ask that you read each policy carefully and, if necessary, get clarification on any point. And, we ask that you acknowledge each point by initialing its preceding space. Of course, if there are any questions that you may have regarding any of our policies that are not covered here, we are available to answer them.

APPOINTMENTS
Patients are seen by scheduled appointments only.

An appointment card is issued for each appointment made in the office. Ultimately, it is the patient's and/or parent's responsibility to keep track of appointment dates and times. As a courtesy, we make every effort to confirm scheduled appointments.

Every effort is made to be on time for our patients, and we ask all of our patients to extend the same courtesy to us and other patients. Regular orthodontic adjustments are scheduled for 15-30 minute intervals. If you are going to be more than five minutes late, please call the office before coming. Keep in mind that your appointment may have to be rescheduled.

If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify us immediately. This courtesy on your part makes it possible for us to give your appointment time to another patient.

After school appointments are the most popular time slots, therefore, are booked quickly. These appointment time slots are limited to regular adjustments/short appointments (15 minute intervals).

Appointments requiring 45 minutes or more, must be scheduled prior to 2: 15 p.m.

Chronic missed, late cancellations, and rescheduled appointments delay treatment progress.

BROKEN APPLIANCES
Please be advised that repairs require more time than regular adjustments and will only be done in the morning hours when the proper time has been allotted. Please remember that the proper allocation of time is needed to perform repairs.

Chronic breakage of appliances hinders the advancement of treatment, results in prolonged treatment and is considered non-compliance.

If you already have a scheduled appointment and something does break in the interim, please inform the office in advance, so that we may adjust the existing appointment accordingly.

EMERGENCY CARE
Occasionally, problems may arise between appointments during the course of treatment. Be advised that in most cases, these incidents can be handled at home with instruction from Dr. Cannistraci.

We reserve a limited amount of time so the emergency patients may be scheduled quickly. If you have a problem requiring emergency treatment, please call us as early in the day as possible.

An emergency appointment may be made when there is discomfort/pain, trauma or injury to the mouth, or a poking wire . Broken brackets are not considered emergencies.

LAPSES IN TREATMENT
Lapses in treatment are defined as missed appointments, non-scheduled appointments and cancelled appointments that suspend treatment for four or more months. For lapses in treatment, greater than four months, x-rays and/or full orthodontic records (Full Orthodontic Records $250.00) may be required to assess the current dental health and a treatment conference may be necessary.

EXTENDED FEES
Premature removal of appliances - patients may:

•  Discontinue orthodontic treatment at any time by requesting premature removal of orthodontic appliances. This procedure is preceded by a short conference during which it is explained that orthodontic treatment is not complete, the desired results have not been achieved and the possible detriment of consequences of such action. A review of the financial records and prorating of fees for the treatment received to date will be preformed if applicable, to include orthodontic records, appliance insertion and monthly adjustments. A formal release must be signed and all fees associated with the deband procedure paid at the time of debanding.

•  Braces may be removed prematurely due to poor oral hygiene, resulting in gingival (gums) and teeth deterioration.