There’s a good reason why there are over six thousand orthodontists in the United States. We rely on these professionals to help keep our smiles looking and feeling great. However, like dentists, a good orthodontist can often be difficult to find.
If you’re asking yourself, ‘How do I find the best orthodontist near me?’ you’re not alone. The good news is that with a bit of research (and some helpful tips) you can find a professional that makes the entire process a breeze.
In this guide, we’ll be going over some tips for finding the best orthodontist practice in your specific area.
Start With Your Network
Odds are, someone you know has visited an orthodontist recently. It might be a parent taking their child, or a coworker getting clear braces. Regardless of the circumstances, we recommend asking around your network before you turn to the web.
Start with your family and friends, then turn to work acquaintances. Recommendations from your network are great because they pre-vetted. Someone you trust had a good experience there, which likely means you will too.
If your network can’t provide a recommendation, they might be able to offer some options that you should avoid.
Search Online for ‘Orthodontist Near Me’
The best way to make a shortlist of options near you is to do a quick Google search. You can either use a ‘near me’ tag or plug in your specific location. This will reveal an option of relevant providers within your area. For now, just focus on gathering a list.
Once you have three to five providers, you can begin looking at them more closely to find the right option for you.
Check for Online Reviews
The first thing you should check is online reviews. This is a great way to determine what other patients experienced during their visits. Most of the time, patients look forward to sharing their praise of a good orthodontist.
As such, if you find one with an overwhelming amount of bad reviews, you should cross them off your list. Reviews can also be a good place to judge the quality of the work if reviewers post pictures of the final result, or before/after photos.
If you can’t find any of these photos in reviews, check the orthodontist’s websites. Sometimes they might provide testimonials with pictures to judge the work.
Consider Costs and Insurance
Orthodontic care can be expensive. As such, you want to make sure that your dental insurance can help cover some of the costs associated with treatment.
Before you begin your search, you might want to reach out to your insurance company to see if they can recommend any covered providers in the area. Otherwise, contact the orthodontic office and ask if they accept your specific type of insurance.
What’s the Orthodontist Environment Like?
You want to make sure that the environment at the orthodontist feels welcoming and inviting for your specific circumstances.
For example, if you’re an adult you might feel self-conscious going to an orthodontist that caters mostly toward children and teens. There’s no reason to feel embarrassed about getting adult braces. More than 25% of the people with braces are adults.
As such, look for an orthodontic center that caters to both teens and adults. That way, you can look forward to a judgment-free experience with every dental health visit.
Don’t Forget About Location
Many people forget about how important location is when choosing an orthodontist. In addition to your initial visits, you’re also going to need to come in for fairly frequent check-ups and tightening procedures.
As such, if your orthodontist’s office is located far away, you are going to spend a lot of time away from work and school driving.
Try to look for something that’s within a fifteen to thirty-minute driving distance of your home or work. If you live in more remote areas, this might be a challenge. However, the closer the office is, the more easier the process will be.
Schedule a Consultation
Once you’ve found an option or two that looks good, you can schedule an initial consultation. There are two main things you should be looking at during this phase.
First, pay attention to how easy it is to schedule your first appointment. A good orthodontic center should provide plenty of patient resources for streamlining new patient forms and treatment options.
Once the consultation is scheduled, discuss your goals and treatment wishes with the orthodontist. During this part, it’s important to make sure that the professional is listening to you during the consultation.
A good orthodontist will listen to your needs, and then recommend a variety of treatment options that can help you meet it. They’ll give you all the pros and cons associated with each treatment. Then allow you to make the decision.
A bad orthodontist will try to push a center option on you just because it makes them more money. So if you feel pressured to pursue a treatment you aren’t sure about, go elsewhere.
Do They Offer the Type of Treatment You Want?
When most people think of orthodontic treatments, they tend to picture traditional metal braces. While it’s true that these are a popular and affordable option, it’s important to remember that it’s not the only form of treatment out there.
For example, many adults tend to prefer clear aligners. Not only are they less noticeable than traditional braces, but they also be taken out so you can enjoy food and meals.
As such, if you’re interested in treatments like these, you should make sure that your orthodontist offers them. Here at Parrot Orthodontics, we offer both Invisalign and Spark orthodontic care. That way, you have a choice between the right type of clear aligners for your needs.
Ready for a Quality Orthodontist Experience? Contact Parrot Orthodontics
We hope this guide helped you answer the question “How do I find the best orthodontist near me?” Here at Parrot Orthodontics, we’re passionate about combining state-of-the-art technology and positive atmospheres to create the best orthodontist experience possible.
We remain communicative throughout the entire process to ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to your specific treatment plan. So if you’re ready to get the smile you’ve always dreamed of, schedule an appointment with us today.
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