There are many factors to consider when choosing an orthodontics provider.  A good place to start is to ask for recommendations from friends or family that have had braces or orthodontic treatment.  Remember, orthodontics is not just about lining up the front teeth.  It is also about improving bites and facial balance.  Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that your orthodontic problems be appropriately diagnosed and treatment properly completed. Therefore, it is important to select an orthodontics provider that is well trained in treating your type of case.   

There are a couple of choices when choosing an orthodontic treatment provider.  One option is to select your general dentist.  However, general dentists vary greatly on the amount of orthodontics that they provide for their patients.  Some dentists will do Invisalign or simple cases involving braces while other dentists may not perform any orthodontics at all. 

A second option is to choose an orthodontist.  In addition to completing dental school, orthodontists have completed an additional two to three years of full-time training at an ADA-accredited institution.  During this time, they are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of many different kinds of orthodontic problems, surgical cases, and cases involving prosthetic teeth and gum problems.  Orthodontists limit their practices to orthodontics to focus on correcting misaligned teeth and jaw problems.  Because of their focused specialty, orthodontists compared to dentists are more likely to offer clear braces as the esthetic alternative to traditional metal braces.  Many orthodontists are also certified Invisalign providers and can help you decide between braces or Invisalign.

A third option is to choose a Board Certified Orthodontist.  A Board Certified Orthodontist is an orthodontist who after completing his/her orthodontic training, has passed voluntary written and clinical exams, displaying his/her ability to diagnose and treat a wide range of orthodontic problems.  Orthodontists that pass the Clinical Examination are given the title of Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics which is the equivalent to being a Board Certified Orthodontist. You can use our Orthodontist Directory to find an orthodontist near you.

After you have decided on a type of orthodontic treatment provider, you may want to consider some other factors to help you narrow down your choices.  Since you will be visiting the office every 4-8 weeks for adjustment appointments for the next couple of years, you may want to rule out orthodontics providers that are too far away.  If you are not flexible with the days or times you can come into the office, call the offices you are interested in to verify that you will be able to come in during their patient care hours.  After you have dwindled your list to 2-3 orthodontic providers, call the offices to schedule an initial exam.  Most orthodontic offices offer free initial exams, but you will want to ask to make sure.

During your initial exam, the doctor will conduct a thorough evaluation and give you a general idea what the treatment plan will be, how long treatment will take, and how much your orthodontic treatment will cost.  Read more about the First Visit to the Orthodontist.  The doctor will most likely request diagnostic records which are a a set of X-rays, study models, and photographs to confirm his/her diagnosis and treatment plan. 

Orthodontic treatment is not like getting a root canal where you are done in one or two visits, and then never see the doctor again.  Instead, orthodontic treatment is a longer commitment where most patients will develop a positive relationship with the doctor and staff.  Therefore, during your initial exam visit, gauge how comfortable you feel with the doctor and staff. 

These days, you may find some offices marketing themselves as having braces that move teeth faster or other gadgets that lead to more comfortable treatment.  While their claims may be true, after your consultations with the different orthodontic providers, also consider:

• Is the provider a Board Certified Orthodontist?

• If not, did he/she make you comfortable enough with treatment expectations or show you completed cases that corrected problems similar to yours?

• How comfortable were you talking to the doctor and staff?

• What is the overall stress level of the office?  Are patients constantly demanding to speak to the office manager?  Is staff constantly running around?  Are you comfortable in this type of environment?

• Were existing patients waiting long to be seen?

• Is the waiting room large enough to hold the patients waiting to be seen?

• How old are the facilities and equipment?

• How clean are the facilities and equipment?

• Is parking easy to find?

• Are you comfortable with the cost and financing options?

If you carefully consider the above issues and choose an orthodontics provider that meets your expectations in those areas, you should be on your way to a very rewarding orthodontic experience and a beautiful new smile!

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Dr. Yang is a Board Certified Orthodontist practicing in Redwood City, California. Read more about Dr. Yang or visit his orthodontic practice online at www.orthodontistrwc.com.