The Comprehensive Evaluation
A first visit that actually finds what's going on.
A typical consult focuses on what's visible: a quick exam, a treatment quote. All of that matters — but some of the most important findings sit out of sight, and that's why ours takes about an hour. You leave with a 3D scan of your jaw, an airway assessment, a TMJ exam, a full bite analysis, and a written treatment plan that explains every recommendation in plain language.
Why a longer first visit changes the answer.
A 15-minute consult can tell you whether your teeth look crooked. It can't tell you why. We think the why matters — because it changes the treatment.
Quick exam
Head to bite
What happens at your first visit.
A real conversation
We start by listening. What brought you in. What you've been told before. What you're worried about. What you want your smile — and your sleep, and your jaw — to feel like.
3D imaging and digital scan
A CBCT scan captures your teeth, bone, jaw joints, and airway in three dimensions. An iTero scanner takes a digital scan of your teeth — no goopy impressions. Both take a few minutes.
The full clinical exam
After reviewing your records, Dr. Liatti examines your bite, your jaw joints, your airway, your gums, your tongue posture, and the way your teeth meet from every angle.
The findings, in plain language
You sit down with Dr. Liatti at the screen. He shows you what the scans found, what he saw in the exam, and what it all means — without dental jargon.
A custom treatment plan
If treatment makes sense, Dr. Liatti walks you through your options — Invisalign, braces, MARPE, surgical, or "wait and watch." Every option includes timeline, cost, and the clinical reasoning behind his recommendation.
What happens after the plan
You'll leave with a clear picture of what Dr. Liatti recommends, why he recommends it, and what the plan looks like. If Dr. Liatti thinks you're ready and you're ready, you can start that same day — the records and the plan are already done, so beginning doesn't require a second trip.
Eight things in every comprehensive evaluation.
Tooth alignment and crowding
The thing every orthodontist looks at. We do too — but it's the start, not the whole exam.
Airway, breathing, and tongue posture
The CBCT lets Dr. Liatti see the upper airway in three dimensions, check for nasal and oral restrictions and enlarged tonsils or adenoids, and look at where your tongue rests — because a low tongue and a narrow jaw almost always travel together.
Jaw joint (TMJ) health
Pops, clicks, soreness, locking. Dr. Liatti checks the joints themselves — both in the clinical exam and on the 3D scan — not just the teeth they support.
Bite function and force
How your teeth come together when you chew, talk, and swallow. Misaligned forces don't just wear teeth down over decades — they're also a common driver of jaw joint pain and dysfunction.
Jaw position, growth, and width
For kids, Dr. Liatti looks at how the upper and lower jaws are growing and whether catching a narrow upper jaw now changes the trajectory. Every patient's jaw widths are measured and compared for symmetry — not estimated by eye.
How your smile fits your face
How much of your front teeth show when you talk and smile, how the curve of your upper teeth follows your lower lip, how much gum shows, and how the whole smile sits within the rest of your face.
Gum and bone health
We're not your dentist, but we check what we can see — because moving teeth through unhealthy gums causes problems.
Sleep and lifestyle history
Snoring. Daytime tiredness. Headaches. Grinding. The questions a great evaluation actually asks.
One visit. All eight. Free.
Book Your Free ConsultationWhat our patients say.
I recently finished my orthodontic treatment at Encinitas Orthodontics. I had an underbite but now it’s perfect. Dr. Liatti’s treatment method to move my teeth considered my overall health instead of just how the teeth looks, unlike other orthodontists who…
I saw Dr. Liatti at Encinitas Orthodontics for a new retainer and was extremely impressed. As a speech and language pathologist, I appreciated Dr. Liatti’s thorough examination and was impressed with his wealth of knowledge.
I don’t like anything that has to do with my teeth. Haha. My dentist recommended that I revisit braces after having them as a kid. I had been told by other orthodontists that I wasn’t able to correct my teeth because of the recession areas I have.
From the moment you walk into Encinitas Ortho you’re greeted with a warm smile. The team takes you through a series of radiographs, photos and use the latest scanning technology to show you how to improve your bite and smile with Invisalign.
Dr Liatti and his entire team are super friendly and helpful. They are transparent about the costs, procedure and very willing to answer questions. I’ll be starting with Invisalign in two weeks.
I am shocked how wonderful this office is! Everyone is so friendly, nice, and respectful which it makes me feel like a family to me. I had my aligners here and they did amazing job, starting from 3D prints to delivering the aligners.
Serving North County San Diego & beyond.
Encinitas Orthodontics is located at 317 N El Camino Real, Suite 203, in Encinitas, CA — serving families from across North County San Diego and the greater San Diego area who are looking for comprehensive orthodontic evaluations.
Patients visit from Encinitas, Carlsbad, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, and Oceanside.