Your first visit at SPOCS Orthodontics in St. Petersburg is a complimentary consultation that includes a full clinical exam, CEPH and panoramic imaging, and a one-on-one treatment review with Dr. Mansour — all at no charge. You leave with a clear diagnosis, your treatment options, a realistic timeline, and a cost estimate. No referral needed, no obligation to start.
What Happens at the First Visit — Step by Step?
The first visit at SPOCS is designed to give you a complete clinical picture and a clear path forward — in a single appointment. Here’s exactly what to expect:
| STEP | WHAT HAPPENS | DETAILS |
| 1 | Welcome & Check-In | You’re greeted by the front desk team and asked to complete a brief health history form if you haven’t already done so online. The form covers medical history, dental history, current concerns, and what brought you in. This takes about 5–10 minutes. |
| 2 | CEPH & Panoramic Imaging | A cephalometric (CEPH) X-ray captures the relationship between your jaw, skull, and facial bones. A panoramic (PANO) X-ray shows all teeth, both jaws, the TMJ, and surrounding structures. Both are digital, low-radiation, and take less than 5 minutes. Both are included at no charge. |
| 3 | Clinical Photographs | A series of standard orthodontic photos are taken — front, side, and intraoral views. These become part of your records and are used alongside X-rays for treatment planning. |
| 4 | Clinical Exam by Dr. Mansour | Dr. Mansour reviews your imaging and conducts a hands-on clinical assessment — evaluating your bite, jaw function, tooth positions, crowding, and any TMJ or airway concerns. For children, he assesses jaw development and tooth eruption patterns. |
| 5 | Treatment Presentation | Dr. Mansour presents his findings and walks through your treatment options — what’s recommended, why, what each option involves, and what the clinical differences are. He answers every question directly. There is no pressure to choose or commit at this visit. |
| 6 | Cost & Financing Review | Our treatment coordinator presents a complete cost estimate for each applicable treatment option, explains how your insurance benefits apply, and walks through OrthoFi financing options including monthly payment scenarios. OrthoFi automatically verifies your insurance benefits and applies them toward your balance — no paperwork on your end. You leave knowing exactly what treatment will cost before making any decision. |
How Long Does the First Visit Take?
Plan for approximately 60 to 75 minutes for your first visit. This includes imaging, the clinical exam, the treatment presentation, and the financial review. If you have questions — and most patients do — Dr. Mansour takes the time to answer them fully.
We don’t rush the first visit. The time you spend at the consultation determines how confident you feel about the decision you’re making. That’s worth the investment of an hour.
Do I Need to Bring Anything to My First Visit?
A few things make the first visit smoother:
- Your dental insurance card or insurance information — so our team can verify your orthodontic benefits before or during the visit
- A list of any current medications — relevant to the health history form
- Any recent dental X-rays if you have them — not required, but helpful if your general dentist took panoramic or bitewing X-rays recently
- For children: a parent or legal guardian must be present for the consultation and any treatment decisions
You do not need a referral from your general dentist. You can book directly at SPOCS without any prior dental clearance.
Will I Leave with a Treatment Plan at the First Visit?
Yes — in most cases. Dr. Mansour aims to give you a complete clinical picture and a treatment recommendation at the consultation. For straightforward cases, you’ll leave with a clear plan, a timeline, and a cost estimate.
For more complex cases — particularly those involving significant jaw discrepancies, potential Phase 1 and Phase 2 treatment planning, or cases where additional imaging such as CBCT might be indicated — Dr. Mansour may schedule a follow-up to complete the planning. If CBCT 3D imaging is needed, it is available at SPOCS for $250, applied in full toward your treatment plan if you move forward.
What If I’m Not Ready to Start Treatment Right Away?
That’s completely fine. The consultation is information — not a commitment. Many patients come in to understand their options, get a cost estimate, and then take time to decide. Dr. Mansour is comfortable with that and won’t pressure you to start before you’re ready.
For children who aren’t ready for treatment yet, SPOCS puts them on a monitoring plan — periodic check-ins at no charge to track development and identify the right time to start. This is standard practice for children evaluated at age 7 or 8 who don’t yet need active treatment.
No Pressure. No Obligation. No Surprise Fees.
The SPOCS consultation is complimentary — always. CEPH imaging, panoramic X-ray, clinical exam, treatment presentation, and financial review are all included at no charge. You will never be billed for your first visit, and you are never obligated to start treatment because you came in.
What Happens After the Consultation If I Decide to Start?
If you decide to move forward at the consultation or shortly after, the next steps are straightforward:
- For braces: a banding or bonding appointment is scheduled, typically 1 to 2 weeks after the consultation. iTero digital scan may be taken at this appointment for precise bracket placement. Treatment begins the same day.
- For Invisalign®: an iTero digital scan is taken to map out your treatment plan. Dr. Mansour reviews and approves the aligner sequence, and your custom trays are fabricated and delivered at a follow-up appointment, typically 2 to 4 weeks later.
- For Phase 1 treatment: the specific appliance is ordered or fabricated and a fitting appointment is scheduled.
OrthoFi handles the financial agreement and payment setup at or before the start of treatment — automatically verifying your insurance benefits and applying them toward your balance. Your treatment coordinator walks through the full process so nothing is unclear when you arrive for your first treatment appointment.
Should I Have a Dental Cleaning Before Starting Orthodontic Treatment?
Yes — and this is one of the most important things you can do to protect your smile before treatment begins. Dr. Mansour recommends that patients have had a professional dental cleaning within the last six months before starting orthodontic treatment.
Once braces are bonded to your teeth, brackets and wires create additional areas where plaque can accumulate. Patients who begin treatment with existing plaque buildup, gum inflammation, or untreated cavities are at significantly higher risk of developing white spot lesions — the chalky decalcification marks that can appear on tooth enamel when plaque isn’t properly cleared around brackets throughout treatment. These marks can be permanent.
Starting with professionally cleaned teeth, healthy gums, and no active cavities gives you the best possible foundation. It also means your bonding appointment goes smoothly — brackets bond most reliably to clean, dry enamel. If it’s been more than six months since your last cleaning, scheduling one with your general dentist before your bonding appointment is a straightforward step that protects both your teeth and your treatment investment.
What Happens After the Consultation If I Decide to Start?
If you decide to move forward at the consultation or shortly after, the next steps are straightforward:
- For braces: a banding or bonding appointment is scheduled, typically 1 to 2 weeks after the consultation. iTero digital scan may be taken at this appointment for precise bracket placement. Treatment begins the same day.
- For Invisalign®: an iTero digital scan is taken to map out your treatment plan. Dr. Mansour reviews and approves the aligner sequence, and your custom trays are fabricated and delivered at a follow-up appointment, typically 2 to 4 weeks later.
- For Phase 1 treatment: the specific appliance is ordered or fabricated and a fitting appointment is scheduled.
OrthoFi handles the financial agreement and payment setup at or before the start of treatment — automatically verifying your insurance benefits and applying them toward your balance. Your treatment coordinator walks through the full process so nothing is unclear when you arrive for your first treatment appointment.
Should I Have a Dental Cleaning Before Starting Orthodontic Treatment?
Yes — and this is one of the most important things you can do to protect your smile before treatment begins. Dr. Mansour recommends that patients have had a professional dental cleaning within the last six months before starting orthodontic treatment.
Once braces are bonded to your teeth, brackets and wires create additional areas where plaque can accumulate. Patients who begin treatment with existing plaque buildup, gum inflammation, or untreated cavities are at significantly higher risk of developing white spot lesions — the chalky decalcification marks that can appear on tooth enamel when plaque isn’t properly cleared around brackets throughout treatment. These marks can be permanent.
Starting with professionally cleaned teeth, healthy gums, and no active cavities gives you the best possible foundation. It also means your bonding appointment goes smoothly — brackets bond most reliably to clean, dry enamel. If it’s been more than six months since your last cleaning, scheduling one with your general dentist before your bonding appointment is a straightforward step that protects both your teeth and your treatment investment.
Before Your Bonding Appointment — A Quick Checklist
- Recent dental cleaning within 6 months
- No active cavities or untreated dental issues
- Healthy gums with no active periodontal disease
- If you wear a retainer from previous treatment, bring it in
- Arrive with teeth freshly brushed — bonding works best on clean, dry enamel
Is the Consultation Really Free — With No Catch?
Yes. The complimentary consultation at SPOCS is genuinely free — no hidden fees, no bait-and-switch, no “complimentary exam” that turns into a bill for X-rays. CEPH imaging, panoramic X-ray, clinical exam, and treatment review are all included at no charge.
The consultation exists because Dr. Mansour believes you should have complete information before making any decision about treatment. A patient who understands their options and feels confident about their choice is a better partner in treatment. That starts with a visit where no one feels pressured or surprised.
