Orthodontist: How to Find One for Your Teen

If you think your child needs to see an orthodontist to get braces, you are probably intent on finding the best one possible. Your kid will hopefully have his teeth for a very long time, and will need some help getting them straight and keeping them healthy during that time, so this is an important decision. Fortunately, there are a few things to look for when choosing a practitioner for the job.

Most orthodontists are kid-friendly since they deal with children's teeth most of the day. Therefore, most will have offices that appeal to many kids. However, you should make sure that the office appeals to your child in particular, meaning that the decor and things to do in the waiting room should be age-appropriate. For example, an office with tons of magazines focused on managing a business is likely to be tailored toward adults, while those with nothing but books for small children is probably best for younger kids. If your child is a teen, make sure there are some popular books and magazines in his or her age group so that boredom doesn't set in when waiting for appointments.

The last thing you want is for your child to be insulted by an orthodontist who treats all kids like babies, as teens are particularly sensitive to condescending treatment. Of course, you also want the practitioner to be able to explain the procedure in terms that teens understand, so finding one who uses words and lingo that only adults understand is also not a good move. Therefore, find an orthodontist who is comfortable around teenagers, as they need to be able to handle patients who may act disinterested or bored. While few people look forward to their orthodontic appointments, patients who do not think their doctor understands their needs or how to talk to them are especially likely to dread visits.

Finally, you should look into orthodontists who have a few ways in particular to connect to teens. For example, some have rewards programs where they offer patients prizes for getting there on time, referring friends, or keeping their teeth or braces in good shape. Some also uses social media sites that are popular among younger patients, as this is a way to reach out to them on their level so that they can understand and get a little more excited about orthodontics.

Your search may take some time since you are likely determined to find the best orthodontist in your city. Fortunately, you can find out whether nearby orthodontists have these traits by either checking their website or asking current and past patients. Plus, you can usually go to an initial consultation to find out this information since many doctors will encourage you to have an a brief meeting to determine your teen's orthodontic needs, such as whether they need braces and which kind would be best. Consider taking your teen, as you can figure out during this appointment whether the orthodontist in question is the best choice for your family.