Whether your child needs an evaluation for potential treatment or you have decided to consider adult orthodontics to straighten your teeth, finding the right orthodontist will help ensure a good experience. Ask friends, coworkers, and your general dentist for names to begin the process. When you start looking for potential candidates, you may want to consider the following points as you make your decision.
• Convenience
As with many things, location matters. You may want to find an orthodontist close to your child’s school or near your office to minimize drive time and disruption to your daily routine.
• Availability
In this day and age, people have a myriad of commitments, so they need medical providers with flexible hours. Make sure the orthodontist you are considering has appointment times that work with your schedule.
• Experience
Find out how long the orthodontist has been in practice and what technologies the practice utilizes for treatment. For instance, make sure the orthodontist is up-to-date on the latest options for adult therapy.
• Recommendations
As you narrow down your choices, talk with people you know or ask for referrals from current patients so that you can gather specific feedback about the candidates you are considering.
• Personality
Before making your final selection, schedule consultation appointments with the top candidates. When you arrive, talk with the office team to get a feel for the practice environment. These meetings will also give you a chance to meet with each orthodontist one-on-one to determine who you would feel comfortable with as a provider.
