Posted on June 21, 2021
When you think of braces, you might think of a teenager smiling with a mouth full of metal brackets. However, one-third of people with some type of orthodontic treatment like braces are adults.
If you have several family members who need orthodontic work, you may want to consider seeing a family orthodontist. But what is a family orthodontist and how do you choose one?
In this article, you’ll learn how to find an orthodontist you and your family will trust.
An orthodontist is a specialized type of dentist that works to fix misaligned jaws and teeth.
Just as a family dentist sees the entire family, a family orthodontist takes patients of all ages. This is incredibly convenient for large families that have several patients or if adults in your family desire orthodontic work as well.
A family orthodontist gives care to all patients, offering appointments when it’s possible for the whole family and only needed to visit one orthodontist throughout your entire treatment.
Finding a family orthodontist can be challenging, but there are a few key points that you need to keep in mind. Here are seven tips you can use to find the best orthodontist.
One of the main things you want to ensure is that your orthodontist is a professional specialist. While dentistry school prepares you for general dentistry, an orthodontist is considered a specialty and requires another 3-5 years of training and education.
A board-certified orthodontist shows that they’re committed to providing excellent care, and being a member of the American Dental Association means they’re trustworthy to be recommended. And many years of experience makes all the difference.
While any orthodontic practice can boast results from patients, it helps if there are testimonials or other statistics that show that the treatments they offer get the results you’re looking for.
You can view before and after results by looking online at the website and see pictures or ask for pictures during a consultation. A dental practice that’s proud of its methods will not hesitate to show you its work and may offer a guarantee so you’re satisfied.
Do you know a family that’s currently seeing an orthodontist? Ask them about their experience! One of the best ways to find an orthodontist is by word of mouth.
Ask your family and friends who they’re seeing or whom they’ve seen and why they would or would not recommend them. You can trust your close friends and family because they have your best interest.
Another trustworthy place to get recommendations is your general dentist. Local dentists often network with each other to send each other patients, so inquire about a possible orthodontist to your general dentist.
While the orthodontist website will have testimonals that work to their favor, the real research comes from reading outside reviews such as Google or Yelp.
Hundreds of positive reviews show that an orthodontic practice should be considered! If they’ve treated thousands of patients with positive results, this is a major plus.
While the orthodontist’s credentials are of utmost value, you also don’t want to walk into a dental office that’s cluttered and not cared for. A team that works together takes pride in all parts of their work, including the waiting area, office, and dental rooms.
For family orthodontists, it may be important to you to have toys or activities to keep your young ones occupied while you wait for your older children or yourself. Keep this in mind as you go about your search.
Online searching can only give you so much information. One of the best ways to get a feel for the persona of your orthodontist is to schedule a consultation. While consultations vary in their conduct, meeting with the orthodontist face-to-face is extremely helpful and allows you time to get answers to your important questions.
At a consultation, the orthodontist may write up a treatment plan for you or your family member. However, you’re not obligated sign or agree to anything until you’ve thought it over.
While most orthodontist offer a variety of treatments, not all offices are the same or offer the same treatments. When they give you a treatment plan, you’ll want to ask about the types of treatments they have, the benefits, and if there are any other options to consider.
On average, the cost for braces is around $3,000 or more depending on the treatment plan and the length of treatment. You’ll want to inquire about payment plans (most orthodontic offices have easy payment options!) or check with your orthodontic insurance to see if anything is covered.
With a busy family, your time is valuable, so you don’t want to be spending it running from appointment to appointment. Ask about their hours and their availability to make sure that you can meet the appointment times without it interfering with your life too much!
Finding the perfect family orthodontist takes time and effort, but once you find the perfect fit, there’s no going back. A family orthodontist that makes you and your family feel welcome by giving you the smile you’re looking for is worth it.
Are you looking for an experienced family orthodontist that’s treated thousands of satisfied patients? Our team is exactly what you’re looking for! Visit us today by scheduling a free exam in your area.