Choose Your Orthodontist with Careful Consideration
Misalignment of the teeth is a common obstacle, affecting over 50% of the US population. In most cases, the issue is a cosmetic one, where individuals can decide whether to live with the teeth as they are or seek orthodontia to correct it. For the rest, misalignment is both a cosmetic and a health issue, which can bring about headaches, TMJ, poor digestion, and gum disease.
You may be sent to an orthodontist by either your general dentist or your family doctor if you're having any of the above symptoms. Unless you are specifically required by your insurance company to see a certain orthodontist, do some research first. Check out several before deciding on one, since not all dentists are equally skilled, even if they have the same certification.
The Association of American Orthodontists (AAR) provides a current list of all dentists licensed to practice orthodontia. It is a great resource to get a list of local list of licensed professionals. Then, drill down into the list by talking to friends, family members, or work associates and see if any of them have experience (good or bad) with anyone on the list. You can also take advantage of services like Angie's List and see if there's any information there. Narrow your list down to a couple, and then check their prices, whether they are accepting new patients, find out if they accept your particular insurance.
With the proper background information in hand, set aside some time to visit their offices, perhaps setting up a free consultation. When you enter the office, see how many people are in the waiting room, check out the office staff and even talk with the office manager if you can. Orthodontia can be very expensive, so you'll want to know now how they handle insurance, deductibles, and whether they have a payment plan for outstanding balances. When you go back to see the doctor, observe the facilities critically. Check out the patient rooms and verify if they are clean, orderly, and have a modern appearance. Not all dentists use or recommend the exactly identical approach or treatment methodology, so clues like computer screens and digital equipment will be a good clue that they are up on the latest technologies and employing them.
Ask the doctor do a quick oral exam and assess your situation. The doctor may be able to offer you a few alternatives right off the bat, or recommend you come back for x-rays and a complete exam before determining the course of treatment. After that, it's up to you who to choose. Select the one with whom you feel most comfortable with and feel is keeping pace with technology. Otherwise, you may experience some unnecessary pain.
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