Center City Orthodontics

The practice is led by Dr. Tejjy Thomas. The site header identifies the practice as "Center City Orthodontics - Tejjy M Thomas DMD." His biography page describes him as "a dual Ivy-league trained and certified orthodontic specialist" and states that he received his Doctorate in Dental Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with honors. After several years practicing as a restorative dentist, the page says, he returned to the University of Pennsylvania for post-doctoral training in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. He is described as an orthodontic faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania who teaches in the residency program where he trained.

The page lists his memberships as the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), Fellow of the World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO), Society of Orthodontic Educators (SOE), American Dental Association (ADA), and the Dawson Academy of Occlusion. It also says he "was honored to be recently selected by the American Association of Orthodontics as one of its 'Young Leaders for the Future of Orthodontics' at their annual meeting"; no year is given for that selection. The website does not mention the American Board of Orthodontics, board certification, diplomate status, or a state licence number, and it does not publish a year the practice was founded or a staff headcount.

The Financial Information page does not publish any prices, treatment cost figures, rates, or fees. No dollar amounts, estimates, or monthly payment amounts appear anywhere on the site. The cost of treatment is quoted individually.

The page's heading reads "Complimentary Consultations, Affordable Monthly Payments, Interest-Free Financing," and the page states: "All consultations are complimentary and our treatment coordinator will discuss with you the cost of your customized treatment plan, and the various payment plan options, so that you are able to make the best choice for you and your smile. We offer 0% interest in-house financing for your treatment as well as third-party financing."

The initial consultation is complimentary. The scheduling page says that during the complimentary consultation the practice will discuss "Your Treatment Options," "Length of Treatment," and "Cost of Treatment," and adds: "You will leave our office with a clear understanding of what to expect from us."

The Orthodontic Process page sets out the first visit in five steps. The initial examination is described as "a fact finding mission, so we can put together a customized treatment plan that addresses your chief concerns and desired treatment outcome." Patient forms are available on the website to fill out and submit or to print and bring along, and any remaining forms are provided on arrival. A treatment coordinator gives a tour of the office and preliminary records are taken, consisting of a panoramic and a cephalometric x-ray, with additional x-rays if Dr. Thomas thinks they will help; clinical photographs are always taken, along with models of the teeth using a digital scanner that produces 3D models. Dr. Thomas then performs a detailed clinical examination in the consultation room, goes over the findings, and presents treatment options along with a computer simulation of those options. In the final step the treatment coordinator reviews the office's policies and procedures.

Invisalign. The Invisalign page describes clear, removable plastic aligners as an alternative to braces "for certain types of cases," and says the practice uses a digital scanner "(so no messy impressions)" to take 3D images of the teeth from which custom-made aligners are fabricated. The page states that Invisalign treatment consists of a series of aligners changed every two weeks "over a course of treatment lasting six to eighteen months depending on the complexity of the case," with appointments usually every eight to ten weeks to pick up the next set, and that aligners can be removed to eat, drink and brush. Invisalign Teen is also mentioned. Whether Invisalign is an option in any individual case is something the page says is determined at the complimentary consultation.

Self-ligating braces. The practice uses self-ligating brackets, which the site explains do not need the small o-shaped rubber ligatures or metal tie wires because they have built-in clips. Metal and clear options are offered to all patients. The specific bracket named on the page is Empower.

These are things people ask Center City Orthodontics that its published information does not yet cover.

• prices
• availability
• treatment duration or timelines
• diagnoses or treatment recommendations
• treatment outcomes or results
• insurance coverage or network status
• financing terms or monthly payments
• office hours or appointment times