Orthodontist and Braces – What you Need to Know

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orthodontist and bracesAn orthodontist is one of the most sought after dental specialists in the field. The role of an orthodontics specialist is one that answers the needs of many patients with varying dental concerns. This is because braces are known for treating various dental problems.

A lot of dentists now specialize in orthodontics to take advantage of the high demand in this particular dental specialty. If you are looking for an orthodontist, you can expect a crowded sea to fish in. And since orthodontics is a major dental procedure and a long treatment, the skill, expertise, and quality of care of your chosen specialist really matters.

So not any orthodontics specialist will do; you have to find one that you can trust with your biggest dental problems. Here are some tips on how to find the best dentist to turn to.

Tips on Finding the Best Orthodontist for You

  • Ask around for dental care recommendations
  • Compare providers
  • Consult with an orthodontist
  • Consider your special needs

1. Ask around for dental care recommendations

To begin your search for the best orthodontist to handle your braces treatment, you should first ask some people you know who got braces about where they got theirs and how the dentist performed. Get some recommendations from friends, family members, and other people you trust. The reason why this is most important is that orthodontics is a tough specialization; you’d want someone with the expertise to do the job. And to evaluate such expertise, your best guide is the satisfaction levels of actual patients who’ve been under their care.

Some people also go to a general dentist they consider as their primary care provider. If you go to such a dentist, which is a requirement under HMO dental plans, your general dentist will be responsible for referring you to a brace specialist.

You can also get referrals or check out ratings from dental associations such as the ADA, which endorses some orthodontists to make your search easier.

2. Compare providers

Don’t forget, however, to get more than one referral, so you can also compare many different orthodontists. To compare them, you have to consider the education and training of the dentist, where and when he or she received the specialization in orthodontics, and how many orthodontic patients he or she has had. It would help if you can get an idea about the history of the particular dental care provider during the whole of his or her practice.

Take the time to compare different providers to prevent you from making a big mistake.

3. Consult with an orthodontist

One wise way to find an orthodontist you can trust is to actually talk to an orthodontist you are considering and ask him about your specific dental condition or problem. Your dental specialist will propose a treatment plan, which you can compare to the treatment plan given by another dentist. Sometimes, if most of your orthodontics specialist choices are reputable and well-skilled, the treatment plan becomes the deciding factor.

Choose the plan offered by an orthodontics specialist you are most comfortable with and one that you can easily manage in terms of costs.

4. Consider your special needs

And before making your final decision, don’t forget to consider some special needs first. Some dentists do not provide services on weekends, while some do. If you think you’d feel more assured going to a dentist that opens on weekends, then this particular factor will make a huge difference.

Such kinds of seemingly minor special needs can really help you find a dentist you are most satisfied with.

When An Orthodontist Becomes Necessary

Before searching for an orthodontics expert, make sure you really need the services of one. Braces are, after all, not for everyone. It is most recommended for people with misaligned, crooked, and crowded teeth. Thus, some get braces for misaligned teeth, some to treat teeth that are incorrectly positioned. Some get braces to remedy bad bite or solve serious problems with the face or jaw.

These are the times when you should really start looking for an orthodontist.