Choosing an orthodontist is an important decision, but it should not be an overwhelming task. You want to make sure that both you and your child will be comfortable with the choice. Find an orthodontic specialist who is well-recommended, board certified, has a gallery of completed cases available for you to view, and one who is flexible and understands that your schedule is busy, too. Orthodontic Treatment is a serious venture, so it should be treated as such.

Talk to your dentist, and parents of your children’s friends! Word of mouth recommendations are usually the best way to start out a search for a new medical provider of any kind. Orthodontists know this, and good ones will make sure they cultivate relationships with patients and referring dentists.

Today, many general dentists have taken classes to offer braces or clear aligners (Invisalign®), but an orthodontist is still the best choice for orthodontic procedures.

General dentists are experts in diagnosis of dental decay, preventative dentistry and restoring, replacing and repairing teeth, while an orthodontist is an expert in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.

Orthodontists should have two to three years of additional specialized orthodontics education accredited by the American Dental Association, and the best orthodontists are also board certified.

After finding a highly-recommended orthodontic practice, look at samples of their finished work and find out if the office is a good fit. Some practices have a gallery of smiles on their website, but the office will also have photos on display of patients who have completed treatment.

Call the office to get the basic information, find out if appointments are open for new patients, discuss insurance and financing policies and ask if they offer free consultations. That is the ideal time to discuss treatment goals and how much experience the orthodontist has in correcting specific problems.

Orthodontic treatment can be a lengthy process, and patients interact with the doctors on a nearly monthly basis, so make sure the orthodontic practice you choose is one you are comfortable with and confident about.

There are many, many details that go into selecting an orthodontic practice. Look closely at the details. Ask yourself:

• Who addresses the details for you both professionally and in support service?
• What is the atmosphere you sense when visiting the office?
• Were you treated the way you would choose to be treated?
• Did you walk away understanding the process?