A proper exam looks at the jaws and bite, not just how straight the teeth look.
An orthodontic examination is where the diagnosis happens, and the diagnosis decides everything after it: which treatment you need, how long it takes, what it costs and how likely the result is to last. Before you start orthodontic treatment in Los Angeles County, it's worth knowing what a proper exam should include, and why two people with similar-looking teeth can need very different plans.
One may simply have crowding. The other may have a narrow upper jaw or a bite problem that straightening alone won't fix. From the outside, you often can't tell.
What the exam includes at Textbook Orthodontics
Your first visit includes a complete clinical exam, digital X-rays and photographs, a 3D iTero scan of your bite, a discussion of your goals and a detailed treatment plan with all your options.
Dr. Nathan Nourian's standard is that the scan, X-rays, bite analysis and clinical exam all happen at the consultation itself, not weeks later. That way you leave with real answers rather than a promise to find out.
Why imaging matters
X-rays and scans show what the mirror can't: roots, jaw position, how the upper and lower teeth meet and adult teeth that haven't come in yet. Impacted canines, for example, often go unnoticed without an X-ray, and they change the plan completely.
Dr. Nourian puts it plainly: "If an office is recommending treatment without imaging, that's a red flag." A straight smile in a photo can hide a bite that doesn't close properly or roots that aren't where they should be.
Is it a teeth problem or a jaw problem?
This is the question the exam is really answering. Crooked teeth can be treated with braces or aligners. A narrow upper jaw may need widening first, with a palatal expander for children or MARPE for adults and late teens.
Timing matters for children. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7, when problems with jaw growth are often easier to spot and to treat.
Breathing is part of the picture too. Dr. Nourian takes an airway-focused approach, looking at how breathing, jaw growth and bite function affect results, and he's written about it in his book, Breathe. Bite. Smile.
How the exam shapes your orthodontic treatment options
There's no single right treatment. Depending on what your records show, the plan could be metal braces, clear braces, Invisalign, jaw expansion or early Phase I treatment for a younger child.
Software can suggest a starting point, especially for aligners, but Dr. Nourian builds the final plan himself around your bite and root positions. The exam also gives you a realistic timeline, so you know roughly how long treatment will take before you agree to anything.
Dr. Nourian carries out every examination and plans every treatment himself.
Free, and no pressure to start
Your consultation is free at all four offices. If you're ready, treatment can usually begin the same day. If you'd rather take the plan home, get a second opinion or think about it, that's fine.
Cost is a real concern for many families, so the team checks your orthodontic insurance before your first visit and gives you a breakdown of expected coverage. The office works with carriers including Delta Dental, MetLife, Cigna, Aetna, Guardian, United Concordia and Anthem Blue Cross, and files claims for you. The practice accepts most PPO plans, offers in-office financing with 0% interest and is a Medi-Cal provider for qualifying minors with medically necessary cases.
How to prepare for your first visit
Bring your dental insurance details so the cost breakdown is accurate.
Write down what bothers you about your teeth or bite.
For a child, note habits such as mouth breathing or thumb sucking.
Mention any crowns, implants or other dental work.
Existing dental work doesn't usually rule out orthodontics, but it does affect the plan. Our post on orthodontic treatment with crowns and implants explains why.
Questions worth asking any orthodontist
Ask what imaging is included in the consultation, how much post-dental-school training the orthodontist has completed and whether you'll see the same doctor at every visit. Ask for the total cost in writing and whether retainers are included.
At Textbook Orthodontics, Dr. Nourian completed a three-year residency in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, every patient is treated by him personally from consultation through retainer delivery, and retainers come with every treatment plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the orthodontic consultation really free?
Yes. The first visit at any of our four offices is free and includes the exam, X-rays, photographs, a 3D scan and a treatment plan.
Do I have to start treatment the same day?
No. Same-day starts are available if you want one, but there's never any pressure.
How do virtual consultations work?
You send photos of your teeth through our virtual consultation page, and the team reviews them and tells you which treatment is likely to suit you.
Will I see the same doctor at every visit?
Yes. Dr. Nourian treats every patient personally, from the first consultation through retainer delivery.
Why do I need X-rays if my teeth only look slightly crooked?
X-rays show roots, jaw position and developing teeth. They confirm whether a simple case really is simple.
Book an exam before orthodontic treatment in Los Angeles County
A thorough exam means fewer surprises once treatment starts. Book your free consultation for orthodontic treatment in Los Angeles County at the office nearest you.
Panorama City: 8424 Van Nuys Blvd, Panorama City, CA 91402. Call (818) 510-3440.
Los Angeles: 1563 S. Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006. Call (213) 933-6370.
Hawthorne: 14248 Hawthorne Blvd, Hawthorne, CA 90250. Call (310) 751-3098.
Whittier: 14564 Whittier Blvd, Whittier, CA 90605. Call (562) 693-8202.
Book a free consultation: https://textbookorthodontics.com/consultation