How to Choose an Orthodontist: The Complete Guide
The number of adults choosing to seek orthodontic care continues to climb each year. Why are so many adults fighting back against the stigma of seeing an orthodontist in later years? Receiving orthodontic care isn’t only for young children or teens.
There are many adults as well who’d benefit from braces. There’s no age limit on having healthy teeth and gums. All you need to do is find the best orthodontist in Utah!
In the guide below, we’ll discuss how to choose an orthodontist near you. Continue reading below to start prioritizing your dental hygiene.
Their Educational Background
A good starting place when choosing an orthodontist is to look at their educational background and the university they received their training. All orthodontists are dentists but not all dentists are orthodontists. This is important to keep in mind, so be sure to ask for proof of their educational background and certifications that qualify them to be an orthodontist in Utah.
Pay close attention to how many years of training they received and what associations they’re a member of. The American Association of Orthodontists is one example. You can look up members on the website or simply ask your orthodontist to provide you with proof of their various memberships.
A board-certified orthodontist has taken extra steps to show their commitment to their craft.
Their Orthodontic Experience
As mentioned above, all orthodontists are dentists. Orthodontists receive training to become a dentist first before then expanding their training to become an orthodontist. You want to speak with your orthodontist about their orthodontic experience.
When did they receive their degree and certificates for orthodontics? How long have they been an orthodontist? Some orthodontists keep portfolios of past dental work done on patients.
If they have a portfolio available with before and after pictures, then take a few moments to look through it. This can give you a good idea of what to expect from your own treatment while keeping in mind that each patient is unique and will have their own unique results.
Their Online Patient Reviews
What are past and current patients saying about this orthodontist? When you’re searching for a new orthodontist near you, it’s always ideal to conduct some online research. Through this research, you’ll find reviews left by patients.
Take the time to read through all of these reviews. Patient reviews are a good way to gauge the quality of service given by an orthodontist. It’s not uncommon to have a negative review here and there, but the majority of the reviews should be great and should make you feel confident with your selection.
The Orthodontic Services Offered
While conducting your research, be sure to visit the orthodontist’s website. Does the orthodontist have a professional website that provides everything you need to know about their background and the type of dental care you can expect to receive there?
Then, find a list of the orthodontic services offered at their office. Are they able to treat both children and adults so the entire family has one orthodontic office to call home? Do they offer a variety of braces and Invisalign to give you plenty of options to choose from?
Find this information online and then contact the orthodontist office directly with any questions you might have about their services.
The Office Hours and Location
You should be able to find information about the office hours and location on the website. The office hours and location are important for your convenience. You want to find an office that’s close to your home, work, or school so you can get to the office easily during your regular weekday.
It’s also ideal that the office hours work well with your schedule so you can easily schedule appointments when needed. However, do keep in mind that it’s sometimes worth it to make the drive to an office a bit further away with an amazing orthodontist. These are simply a few extra factors to consider when making your final selection.
The Available Payment Options
Keeping up with oral hygiene does come with a cost. Thankfully, dental insurance covers the majority of dental hygiene services needed. However, if there’s something your insurance doesn’t cover or doesn’t completely cover, then you need to know what your payment options are.
Ask the orthodontist to provide you with a list of payment options to consider. Many orthodontists will offer payment plans and other financing options to ensure you receive the orthodontic services you need without worry.
Their Answers to Your Questions
It’s ideal to create a list of interview questions to ask the orthodontist before choosing them. Take a few minutes to write down any questions you might have for them. You can ask questions pertaining to their educational background, certifications, and experience.
You can ask about the services they provide and what the treatment process looks like. If you have any concerns about visiting an orthodontist in general, then be sure to voice those concerns at this time as well. Prepare your list of questions and then schedule a consultation with the orthodontist where you can then have all these questions answered.
It’s Time to Learn How to Choose an Orthodontist
Gather all of the information provided to you in this guide above. Then, use it to help you navigate through the process of selecting the right Utah orthodontist for you. When you know how to choose an orthodontist, you’ll have peace of mind each time you schedule an appointment.
At Edge Orthodontics, we take pride in providing your family with the best quality of orthodontics care. We have a diverse staff offering a wide range of expertise in adult, adolescent, and pediatric orthodontic care. Interested in learning more about our orthodontic treatments?
Contact us today to learn more!