5 Braces-Related Questions to Ask Your Orthodontist
Get Answers Before Treatment
Most people can visit their general dentist biannually and be fine, but sometimes you might need to seek out orthodontic treatment from a specialist. These specialists are called orthodontists, and they, for the most part, focus on realigning crowded or spacing teeth.
As you search for an orthodontist, there are some specific things to ask them that will help you decide who to trust with your smile. Below, we’ll outline five questions to ask your potential orthodontist.
Do They Have Any Specialized Experience?
The first differentiator that you can use to evaluate potential orthodontists is their experience, which can be separated into two categories: training and practical experience.
Which orthodontic programs your orthodontist has attended can play a crucial role in the quality of your results, although a sturdy foundation of practical experience can go a long way as well.
If your dentist is a member of any of the following elite organizations, it’s safe to assume they have the necessary training and expertise to produce stunning straightening results:
- American Board of Orthodontics (ABO)
- American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)
- American Orthodontic Society (AOS)
- American Academy of Clear Aligners (AACA)
- American Association for Functional Orthodontics (AAFO)
For example, Dr. Karen Guinn is located in West Covina, CA, and she’s a Board Certified Orthodontist with the American Board of Orthodontics. This title is the highest honor that the organization recognizes and means that she’s completed many orthodontics-related courses, exams, and case studies.
What Are Their Hours?
The next question you can ask your potential orthodontist pertains to their hours of operation. Since braces are a complex set of wires and brackets, you’ll likely return to the office multiple times throughout treatment. However, your life is busy, so choosing a specialist with hours that suits your needs is essential.
If you live in or around Clinton Township, MI, we recommend looking up Dr. Salvatore Aragona. He’s a specialist whose office is open seven days a week. He understands that orthodontic treatment requires fine-tuning and even emergency reparations from time to time, so he makes himself available as often as possible.
What Options Are Available at Their Practice?
Now that you’ve narrowed down your search to highly qualified, dependable orthodontists, you can begin to focus on the type of treatment you want. These days, bulky metal braces aren’t your only teeth-straightening option. There are a variety of solutions that are designed for different lifestyles.
Below, we’ve outlined the alternatives to traditional braces that are available.
Tooth-Colored Braces
With traditional braces, you or your teenager may feel self-conscious about having visible metal secured to your teeth. You may also worry about being in photos with friends, making an excellent first impression at work, or meeting someone for a first date.
Regardless of your reasoning, tooth-colored braces are a subtle alternative that won’t stand out as you undergo treatment.
Clear Aligners
Much like tooth-colored braces, clear aligners offer a discreet way to straighten your smile. While many brands create clear aligners, the most common is Invisalign®. These thin, custom-fitted trays are designed to fit comfortably in your mouth only being removed for eating and cleaning purposes.
If fast, tactful teeth-straightening is your goal, and you live in Farmington, MI, Dr. Roman Shlafer is an exceptional dentist who has over 30 years of experience. He’ll make sure that you love your smile.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are attached to the back surface of your teeth by the tongue and palate. This option removes all visible hardware from the equation and will maintain the straightness of your smile well after your treatment is complete.
How Long Will the Treatment Take?
Once you know which treatment you’re going to use, the next logical question is to find out how long it will take to realign your smile. According to the AAO, the average treatment time with traditional braces is about two years. However, some patients treated with Invisalign saw results in as little as one year.
While you’re discussing the treatment duration with your orthodontist, this is a good opportunity to ask them how often you’ll need to come in for checkups. This information will help you understand the process and plan accordingly.
What’s the Cost?
Finally, you’ll want to discuss the price of your orthodontic treatment. Certain orthodontists may charge you different prices regardless of quality. If someone quotes you a price that’s considerably lower than their competition, you’ll want to ask them about their qualifications and what’s included in the procedure — the same goes for a quote that’s higher than alternatives.
If you want honest pricing on dental treatment, Dr. Edward Hobbs is a trustworthy dentist located in Longview, TX. He’ll discuss your costs in a sincere, straightforward way so that you don’t feel you’re being taken advantage of while trying to improve your smile.
Get the Results You Deserve
Orthodontic treatment can change how you feel about yourself for the rest of your life, but it’s something you don’t want to have to do twice. You can ensure that the process goes smoothly by taking the time to find the right orthodontist for your situation and asking them the questions that we discussed above.