Why Orthodontist Reviews Really Matter

You’ve decided to finally do something for yourself and have decided to fix your smile with braces. There are a lot of decisions to make and you want to make sure your final choice is very well informed. While it shouldn’t be the only criteria you use, orthodontist reviews can be real helpful in weeding out orthodontists that are not the right fit for you.

Here is why orthodontist reviews really matter:

Gives You Added Perspective

It can be really hard to know if an orthodontist is right for you without spending a whole lot of time with them. But you don’t have that luxury because you are expected to make a decision after a little research and an initial consultation. That is why orthodontist reviews are so important. It gives some insight from other patients on the strengths and weakness of the orthodontist being reviewed.

Can Send Up Warning Flares

If an orthodontist has several negative reviews this is a warning sign that maybe they are not the best choice for your orthodontic care. While not reviews are the absolute truth if you see a pattern of the same problem over and over again, it should give you pause. For example if a lot of former patients complain about a bad chairside manner and you really want an orthodontist who truly cares for you, then this orthodontist is not right for you.

Braces Are a Big Investment

The bottom line is that getting braces is a big investment of money and time. If anything were to go wrong it can impact your health and delay your treatment. With a big decision like this, is important to do due diligence on your research and that includes orthodontist reviews.

Besides orthodontist reviews, here are other tips for finding the right orthodontist for you:

Get referrals from family and friends. Ask the people you trust if they would recommend a particular orthodontist. Ask about their particular experience and any pros and cons about the dentist that they can share. Your regular dentist is also a good person to ask for a referral. See if they will share who they chose for orthodontic work for their own children.

Do a google search. Besides looking for reviews, also check out the websites of orthodontists in your area to get an initial feel for who is out there and what they offer. Also make sure that any orthodontist you are interested in is a licensed member of the American Association of Orthodontics.

Set up a consultation. Most of the time, we can’t really get a good feel for a new doctor or dentist until we go in for a visit so it is important to set up a consultation with at least a few orthodontists. While it can be time-consuming, it can really help you feel more confident about your final choice.

Here are some questions you should ask when you go in for your initial consultation?

• What are their credentials and specialties?
• How many years of experience do they have?
• What are their office hours? (Some are more flexible than others)
• What are treatment options and costs? Ask about Invisalign and accelerated orthodontics.
• Ask for references from current or past patients.
• What is their policy for emergencies?

While you are there, you should pay attention to your surroundings. Is everything clean and sterile? Are they using the latest technology? Do they keep their patient’s comfort in mind at all times? Is the office comfortable and the staff friendly? Also pay attention to how the orthodontist interacts with you. Is he very brusque, acting like he doesn’t have a lot of time to spend with you? Or does he really sit down and get to know you and what your needs are? If you have a fear of going to the dentist, make sure that the orthodontist you choose has a gentle chairside manner. Everyone has their own needs when it comes to which types of personalities they prefer to interact with so make sure you are going to be comfortable because you are going to be spending a lot of time with this doctor and his staff. Orthodontic treatment can least between 1 year to about 3 years.

If you think you are interested in Invisalign in particular, make sure you find an orthodontist who specializes in this sort of treatment. Once you pick an orthodontist, you will be given a treatment plan based on your needs and any cost considerations. Some options are a little more expensive than other so weigh the pros and cons for each. The orthodontist can give you all the pertinent information you need to make a decision. If your dental insurance do not cover braces in its entirety, then you have other payment options like a healthcare credit card like CareCredit and a dental savings plan.

While the financial cost can be an especially daunting aspect of getting braces, don’t let that be the only barrier to a healthier smile. Straighter teeth also improve your overall oral health so it is crucial that you don’t just chalk up crooked teeth to an aesthetic issue that can be ignored. Talk with different orthodontists to find the most affordable path for you to take.

It is important that you don’t rush into an important decision like this. Once you have gone on a few consultations, sit down with all the information and weigh your options. Like any big decision, you should look at it from all angles before making your final decision. Don’t be afraid to call back to different orthodontists with follow-up questions. They should want to talk with you and offer you advice.

Taking care of your health is the best gift you can give to yourself. Orthodontist reviews can be really helpful in the decision making process. Find out more about your options by setting up an initial consultation with Orthodontics Limited. Their skilled orthodontists really care for you and offer you individualized care and state-of-the art technology. Call them today for more information.