.png)
Information for Patients
Everything you need before your first visit — in one place.
From your very first phone call to the day your braces or aligners come off, we want the experience to feel clear and unhurried. This page walks you through what happens at your first consultation, why we look at more than just straight teeth, and exactly how financing and insurance work — so there are no surprises and no guesswork.
What Makes Orthodontic Care Here Different
.avif)
Four Decades in the Coachella Valley
Schantz & Moranda Orthodontic Care has served the Coachella Valley and Yucca Valley for over 50 years — long enough that we now treat the children and grandchildren of our first patients. That continuity means we understand how smiles grow, change, and hold up over a lifetime.
.avif)
Advanced Technology That Serves You
We invest in technology because it makes your treatment more comfortable, more precise, and often faster — not to look impressive. Depending on your needs, your care may involve 3D CBCT imaging, iTero digital scanning that replaces goopy impressions, LightForce custom 3D-printed brackets, and Damon self-ligating braces engineered for gentler tooth movement and fewer visits.
.avif)
We Look Beyond Straight Teeth
Most orthodontists focus on alignment. We start one step earlier — with how you breathe. A straight smile that sits on top of a restricted airway or an underdeveloped jaw is only half the picture. Our airway-focused approach means we evaluate the structures behind your smile, not just the teeth in front of it. (More on that below.)
.avif)
Led by Dr. Morgan Moranda
Dr. Moranda and his associate Dr. Nguyen lead our clinical team as a Platinum Invisalign Provider, supported by treatment coordinators and staff who take the time to know you by name. When you come to our practice, we want you to feel like family — not just a check-up on the schedule.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Plan on approximately 45 to 60 minutes for your new patient consultation. It's a no-pressure visit designed to answer your questions and give you a clear picture of your options — whether that's for you or for your child.
A Warm Welcome
You'll first meet with your treatment coordinator, who will welcome you to the office, review your health history forms, and listen to your concerns and goals. This is your time — tell us what's been bothering you and what you'd like to change.
Digital Records & Imaging
We'll take digital photographs of your smile, and digital X-rays or a 3D CBCT scan if they're needed. These records let us see tooth position, jaw development, and airway structure — the full foundation of a smart treatment plan.
A Thorough Exam With the Doctor
Dr. Moranda or his associate Dr. Nguyen will complete orthodontic examination, evaluating your teeth, bite, jaw growth, and airway. You'll hear what we see, in plain language, and what we recommend — including whether treatment is needed now or whether it’s better to observe and wait.
A Clear Plan With Real Numbers
Before you leave, your treatment coordinator will walk you through the full plan so you know exactly where things stand:
- What treatment we recommend and why
- Which appliance options fit your case (Invisalign, Damon braces, LightForce, expanders, and more)
- Approximately how long treatment will take
- What your insurance is estimated to cover
- Your estimated out-of-pocket cost and zero interest monthly payment plan options.
No pressure, no mystery, and no surprise bill later.
Prefer to Start Slow?
Your first visit doesn't have to lead straight into treatment. If you're weighing your options — or exploring care for a child who may not be ready yet — a consultation is simply a conversation. Come in, meet us, and learn what's possible.
What to Bring
- A completed New Patient Form (see below — completing it in advance saves time)
- Your dental or orthodontic insurance card, if you're using insurance
- A list of current medications and any allergies
- Any recent X-rays or referrals from your dentist, if available
- Your questions — write them down so nothing gets forgotten
Why We're Airway-Focused
At Schantz & Moranda Orthodontic Care, airway health is central to how we diagnose, plan, and treat. Chronic mouth breathing, fragmented sleep, and airway obstruction can quietly affect energy, focus, immune function, and — in children — long-term facial growth and development. We don't treat airway concerns as an afterthought. For many patients, a healthier, more open airway is the foundation everything else is built on.
.avif)
Signs Your Airway May Be Part of the Story
Airway problems often masquerade as unrelated symptoms. If you or your child experience several of the following, the airway may be a root cause worth evaluating:
- Mouth breathing, day or night
- Snoring or noisy breathing
- Restless sleep or frequent waking
- Daytime fatigue or trouble focusing
- ADD/ADHD-like behavior in children
- Teeth grinding or clenching at night
- A narrow palate or crowded teeth
- Speech delays or low/forward tongue posture
- Forward head posture or dark under-eye circles
How We Evaluate the Airway
Our diagnostics look at structure, function, and — for growing patients — growth trajectory:
- 3D CBCT imaging of facial growth and skeletal structure
- Nasal breathing evaluation
- Assessment of tongue posture and muscle tone
How We Treat Airway Issues
Our protocols are conservative, data-driven, and tailored to each person's anatomy, age, and symptoms. Depending on the case, treatment may involve:
- Skeletal / palatal expansion to widen a narrow upper jaw
- Growth-guided orthodontics that encourage healthy jaw development
- Myofunctional therapy to retrain tongue posture and nasal breathing
- Oral appliances
- Collaboration with ENT and sleep physicians when appropriate
- Orthognathic (jaw) surgery for select adult cases
.webp)
Financing & Insurance
We believe you should understand the full cost of treatment before you commit to it. During your consultation, your treatment coordinator reviews your insurance benefits, your estimated portion, and every payment option available to you — in writing.
Flexible In-House Payment Plans
We offer flexible, in-house payment plans with 0% interest, so the cost of treatment can be spread across your care rather than paid all at once. Plans are customized to your treatment and your budget.
Insurance We Accept
We happily accept PPO insurance plans that include orthodontic benefits, and we'll file your claims for you. Because every plan is different, we verify your specific orthodontic benefit — including lifetime maximum and any age limits — before treatment begins, and apply it directly to your estimate.
Third-Party Financing
For treatment that falls outside insurance, longer-term financing options may be available through a third-party healthcare lender, letting you choose a monthly payment that fits your household.
No Orthodontic Insurance? You Still Have Options
Many of our patients pay out of pocket, and we make that manageable. You'll receive a written treatment estimate with no hidden fees before any work starts, and our in-house 0% plans let you pay over time. Ask your treatment coordinator what makes the most sense for your situation.
How Billing Works
Before treatment: We verify your orthodontic benefits and review your written estimate and payment plan with you, so you know your out-of-pocket cost up front.
During treatment: Your agreed monthly payment stays predictable. If your plan ever needs to change, we'll explain it and get your approval first.
Along the way: We file your insurance claims and keep your account clear, so you can focus on your smile.
Ready to make a payment? Pay Online →
New Patient Forms
Common Questions
Call us at (760) 568-5987 or request an appointment online, and we'll find a time at whichever office is most convenient for you
Plan on about 45 to 60 minutes for a complete consultation, including records, your exam with Dr. Moranda, and a review of your treatment and financial options.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first check-up by age 7. Because we're airway-focused, an early evaluation also lets us spot breathing or jaw-development concerns while a child is still growing — often around ages 6 to 8.
No referral is needed — you're welcome to schedule a consultation directly. If your dentist did refer you, bring any X-rays or notes they provided.
Yes — flexible in-house payment plans with 0% interest, customized to your treatment and budget.
We accept PPO plans with orthodontic benefits and file claims for you. We'll verify your specific benefit before treatment so it's reflected in your estimate.
We offer Invisalign (as a Platinum Provider), Damon self-ligating braces, LightForce custom 3D-printed brackets, clear retainers, and growth-guiding and airway appliances — matched to your case.
.avif)
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you're exploring braces or Invisalign for yourself, or wondering whether your child's breathing and bite are on the right track, we'd love to meet you. Serving Palm Desert, Yucca Valley, and the greater Coachella Valley — including Indio, La Quinta, Palm Springs, and Desert Hot Springs.
