It’s finally happened; it’s become painfully clear that your teenager is in need of an orthodontist to correct their crooked teeth. Having never dealt with this sort of thing before, you may not know where to begin or what sort of treatment your child will actually be receiving. If you don’t have dental insurance, you might be wondering how you’re going to pay for any of this in the first place. To allay some fears, try these suggestions on finding the orthodontist that’s going to be the right match for you.
Begin with your child’s regular dentist. They are already familiar with your child and what’s going on with the inside of their mouth, and as pediatric dentists see this sort of thing all the time, they should have a list of orthodontists that you can be referred to. Ask for two or three so as to give yourself options and so you can make comparisons that will lead you to the right choice. Call up each office and ask if a consultation appointment can be arranged. These are typically free, though may need to be arranged through your dentist. Take your teen to each appointment you’ve made and make at least a little bit of discussion with the orthodontist to get a feel for their knowledge, skill level, and general attitude. While you may not be knowledgeable about this topic, your orthodontist should be able to answer almost all of your questions immediately and with confidence. And while skill is more important that friendliness, a reasonably decent personality isn’t too much to expect either.
Get recommended treatment plans including pricing in writing from each office you visit. Ask about payment plans if necessary. Most will be happy to work with you. If you have insurance, double check with each office that they accept your particular plan. Before making a final decision as to which orthodontist to work with, ask if they have before and after photos of previous patients that demonstrate high quality work and results. Don’t expect absolute perfection, but do expect to see significant improvements. Compare the locations of each office and, all else being equal, choose which one will be the most convenient for you.
Follow up quickly after you’ve made your choice in order to get your teen’s treatment started. Be sure to ask for an approximate timeframe for treatment based on the corrections needed, and what to expect as far as realistic, reasonable results. Remember that results are unique to every individual, so don’t expect that your teen will look exactly as another did in the example photos you viewed.
It can be a bit of a tedious process, but it’s worth it in the end when your kid can show off that new winning look.
Need an orthodontist in Kinnelon NJ for your teenager? Give Wayne Pediatric Dental Care a call today!
