Do you have misaligned teeth? They don’t have to stay that way.
While you may think that your regular dentist can help you get your teeth straightened, it’s actually not so simple. Not all dentists are orthodontists, so you may need to spend some time searching for the right clinic for your orthodontic needs.
Fortunately, we’re here to help. Be sure to follow the 7 tips below to find the right orthodontic practice for you and your family.
1. Know What Your Needs Are
One of the first things you’ll want to think about when choosing an orthodontic practice is what your needs are.
If there’s a particular type of braces that you want or other specific treatments you’re interested in, be sure that the practice you’re considering offers them. If you’re looking for phase 1 braces for your kids, for example, you should make sure that the orthodontist can help.
Most dentists will have a website that lists their service offerings, so be sure to take a look to see what you can discover about them. You may also want to require more information over the phone.
2. Check Their Education and Training
It’s a good idea to take the education and training of an orthodontist into account when getting dental care and teeth alignment. You’ll want to look for an “about” section on an orthodontist’s website to learn more about them.
Read up on the orthodontists at a practice you’re considering to find out about their education history. You should ensure that they were educated in an accredited institution and that they have good credentials.
You should also look to see if they have any additional training or expertise that may help when providing care to you.
3. Find Out How Long They Have Been in Business
Not only should you look for an orthodontist that has a great education, but you should look for one that has been in business for a while.
An orthodontic practice that has been operating successfully for years is likely to be a better bet than one that was launched recently. You can be sure that if they have stayed in business for a significant amount of time that other patients have been more than satisfied with the results and the care that they have gotten from the orthodontist.
4. Ask For Recommendations From Your Network
When choosing an orthodontist, it’s a good idea to get recommendations from family and friends. Finding out about the opinions of the people you trust can be very useful when starting your search for a great orthodontist.
Many adults and children have gotten braces, so it’s likely that someone you know has an orthodontist that they can recommend to you. If you get any recommendations, however, you’ll still want to do your research and find out more about them before making your final decision.
Getting referrals from family and friends can serve as a great first step and can help make your chances of finding a great orthodontist much better overall.
5. Read Online Reviews and Testimonials
If you can’t get any orthodontist referrals from your network, there are other options. You can also find a lot of information on dentists and orthodontists online as well, so be sure to sit down and do as much research as you can.
Use a search engine to find out what orthodontic clinics are in your area and then start looking at online reviews for each of them. You can find online reviews on local businesses and clinics on websites including Google, Facebook, Yelp, and others, so be sure to find out what you can about the orthodontists in your area.
6. Check For a Convenient Location
When looking for an orthodontic practice, you should also be sure to take its location into consideration as well.
There are likely many different clinics in your area that you can choose to go to. You’ll want to strike a balance between finding an orthodontist that has the necessary experience and education while also being sure that the location will be convenient for you.
You may want to consider looking at online maps to find out where the orthodontist offices in your area are located. It’s a good idea to look near your workplace, your home, or your child’s school if you want your visits to be as convenient as possible.
7. Schedule Consultations
It’s important to realize that you don’t have to choose an orthodontist to go to without meeting them first. It’s a good idea to pick several of the top choices that you’re considering and to set up a consultation appointment with each of them.
Be sure to consider an orthodontist’s personality and demeanor when meeting with them. Make sure that you can get along with them well and feel comfortable.
During your consultation, also be sure to ask each orthodontist any questions that you have about the services they’ll provide and their costs. This will help you get an idea of what you can expect from getting braces and can give you a lot of insight into how each orthodontist might be different in their individual approaches.
Find a Great Orthodontic Practice Today
If you want to find the best orthodontic practice for you and your family, make sure that you take the time and effort necessary to evaluate your options. Make sure to consider the experience of the orthodontist and their reputation before making your decision.
Hoping to find more helpful tips for your family? Read through our blog now to find more interesting and useful articles and guides.
