Ninety minutes. A real answer.
The evaluation visit at Symmetry is comprehensive — airway-aware from the first thirty seconds. Here’s what the visit looks like, what to bring, and how the office handles insurance.
Call or schedule online
5 minutesTell us briefly what you've noticed — for you or for a child. Office staff places you on the schedule and sends an intake form to fill out before the visit.
Comprehensive evaluation
90 minutes · with Dr. DealNinety minutes with Dr. Deal directly. Airway-aware exam — nasal patency, posture, tongue position, occlusion, photographs, CBCT imaging if indicated. Sleep questionnaire for adults; growth screen for kids.
Findings and plan
Same-visit findingsSame visit, no second appointment for results. You leave with a written plan — what's driving what you've noticed, what we'd treat, what we wouldn't, and the timeline. No pressure to start that day.
Treatment, at your pace
Begin within ~4 weeksTreatment is staged. Most adult sleep, TMD, and adult ortho cases begin within the next four weeks. Pediatric growth-guidance cases are scheduled to the child's growth window — sometimes immediately, sometimes after a watch period.
- Photo ID and your insurance card (if applicable)
- Any sleep study results from the past five years
- Prior imaging (panoramic, ceph, CBCT) if you have it
- A list of medications and recent surgeries
- Notes on what you've noticed and when it started
Please also review our cancellation & no-show policy (PDF) before your first visit.
Symmetry is a fee-for-service practice and out-of-network with insurance carriers. We’re upfront about this because in-network constraints get in the way of how we like to treat — comprehensive ninety-minute evaluations, same-visit findings, no rushed recall.
We provide detailed superbills you can submit for out-of-network reimbursement, and many sleep-related and TMD services have meaningful coverage. The office walks through expected reimbursement before you book.
Before you book.
How do I know if I should book?
If you or your child has snoring, restless sleep, morning headaches, dark circles, chronic jaw pain, crowded teeth, or a face that doesn't quite track — book the evaluation. Ninety minutes tells us whether the airway is driving the picture, and you leave with a plan either way.
What does the evaluation cost?
The comprehensive new-patient evaluation is a fee-for-service appointment. The office will give you the exact figure before booking. We provide detailed superbills for out-of-network reimbursement, and many sleep-related and TMD services have meaningful out-of-network coverage.
Do you take insurance?
Symmetry is fee-for-service and out-of-network with insurance carriers. We're upfront about this because in-network constraints get in the way of how we like to treat. The office walks you through expected reimbursement and superbills before you book.
I'm out of state — should I still come?
Yes, frequently. Patients travel from across the South for complex pediatric airway, TMD, and adult ControlledArch cases. We coordinate hotel and timing so the trip is one or two visits, not five. Or — for screening only — try the sleep-apnea quiz at idealsleepnow.com.
Is my child too young or too old?
From about age four through adult. Pediatric growth-guidance windows close roughly between ages seven and twelve, so earlier is better — but adult expansion and adult sleep/TMD work remain very much on the table. Rarely is it too late.
Will I see Dr. Deal personally?
Yes — every evaluation is with Dr. Deal. No associates, no rotations. Ongoing hygiene and recall visits are with our team; clinical decisions and treatment planning are always his.
Why doesn't my night guard help?
Night guards reduce chewing-surface wear — that's all they're designed to do. They don't address the jaw-muscle and joint dysfunction driving the pain, which is why so many patients arrive with a drawer full of guards and the same headaches. TMD treatment targets the cause, not the enamel.
What does TMJ treatment involve, and how long does it take?
Treatment is comfortable, usually non-invasive, and doesn't rely on long-term drug therapy. Active treatment typically runs eight to twelve months, and most patients feel meaningful improvement within the first few weeks.
Why hasn't anyone told me about this before?
Dental and medical training rarely covers diagnosing or treating TMJ. Because the symptoms look unrelated — headaches, ear pain, neck tension, worn teeth — it's routinely misdiagnosed or dismissed. That gap is exactly why this practice exists.
What payment methods do you accept?
Payment is requested when services are rendered. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, cash, and checks, and can point you to interest-free programs and traditional financing to compare for your situation.