Finding an Orthodontist You Can Count On

In years past, it surely wasn’t this difficult. If you wanted to find an orthodontist to put braces on your kid’s teeth, you just asked your regular dentist who they recommended and that was that. Today, with so many more options, it can be overwhelming to choose a healthcare professional in any field, and the same is undeniably true for orthodontics. Keep in mind that it wasn’t that long ago when a straight set of metal braces was virtually the only choice for correcting crooked teeth. Today, there are plenty of other options and a particular practice may only specialize in one or two of these methods. Making the right choice is more difficult, and more important, than ever before.

One thing hasn’t changed, however, and that is the importance of a dentist’s recommendation. This is usually the best way to find an orthodontist you can count on. Often, your regular dentist will have a specific guy he typically refers his patients to. Of course, you always have to be somewhat weary of such a situation. Is he referring you to this guy because they are golf buddies or because he really believes in the work they do? Either way, it’s only a starting point. It’s a name to throw in the ring. You can get other names by searching the local listings through the internet or the phone book, asking your friends and co-workers, and paying attention to local advertising.

Once you have a few names narrowed down, you can begin setting up consultations. Have the orthodontist understand that you’re not there necessarily to become a patient. You are there to evaluate them and see if they would be a good fit for your needs. Don’t get roped into making additional appointments if you don’t feel comfortable doing so. Unless a big bright “Choose This Guy!” light flashes in your head during the consultation, you should take the time to visit several before you make your final decision. Even though everything about the current doctor might seem just right, you may not even know what you’re missing.

When going through your consultations, be ready with questions you want answered. These questions may center around the types of methods they recommend, their education and experience, and how much they charge for their services. This final point is an important one if you’re on a budget, but you should certainly not make your decision based solely on who is offering the lowest prices in town. Like any medical procedure, this is not a situation where you should be shopping for a bargain. You want an experienced and respected orthodontist who will listen to you and take care of your needs for years to come.