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Choosing Your Children's Orthodontist: The Ultimate Guide

children's orthodontist

Is your kid suffering from any orthodontic issues? Perhaps your kid has teeth crowding, crossbite, spacing, midline mismatch, or abnormal eruption. If so, it’s time to take your kid to a children’s orthodontist.

Do you know you should take your kid for an orthodontic evaluation by the age of seven? Orthodontic treatment is a key part of your child’s oral health care. Aligned teeth can help your kid to chew and bite properly, get clear speech, and give them a beautiful smile.

The orthodontic treatment enhances your kid’s facial aesthetics, social acceptability, and self-confidence. If ignored, orthodontic issues can have a significant impact on your kid’s overall well-being. From plaque build-up causing gum disease, uneven wear, and even tooth wear.

Well, to avoid minor and treatable issues from aggravating, you must take your kid to an orthodontist. However, not any orthodontist is the right one for your kid, and the wrong choice can have dire consequences.

But with more than 11000 orthodontists in the US, how do you choose the right one for your kid? To help you out, here’s a guide on choosing the best children’s orthodontist.

Seek Recommendations

One of the best ways to kick off your search for an orthodontist is getting recommendations. Ask your friends, family, and colleagues for the names of orthodontists they take their kids to. Rest assured to get one or two names as referrals from your inner circle.

Also, they will offer crucial insights about picking and seeking treatment from the specialist. If taking your kid for orthodontic treatment, consult your inner circle who have sought similar treatment before. For instance, if your child needs dental braces, seek referrals for an orthodontist specializing in this treatment.

However, even after getting the names, you still need to confirm they are the perfect option for your child. Carry out an extensive background check on them to learn more about their practice and the services offered.

If you can’t get recommendations from your inner circle, conduct a local search online. A simple search online “children’s orthodontist near me” will deliver numerous results. Pick about three to four practices that look promising to evaluate them further.

Check on Experience

One of the utmost considerations when choosing an orthodontist is experience. You want to be assured the practitioner has years of experience specializing in kid’s orthodontic treatment. With inexperienced orthodontists, errors can result during treatment, affecting your kids’ overall health.

A well-established pediatric orthodontist has extensive knowledge in dealing with kids’ orthodontic issues. In case of treatment, they are adept after performing multiple successful procedures on past patients. Also, they are aware of any risks associated with different procedures and how to correct or avoid them.

Don’t be afraid to ask the potential orthodontist how long they have done the same procedure. Also, you want to know how long they have been treating kids.

Check on the educational background of the prospective orthodontist. Are they certified and members of the American Association of Orthodontists? If they have, ask for certifications and credentials to prove this.

To have peace of mind that your kid will be in safe hands during the treatment, pick an experienced children’s orthodontist.

Read Online Reviews

Always check about other parents’ experiences with the orthodontist before picking them. How was it like for them and their kids seeking treatment from the practice? Read online reviews to get insights and determine if the orthodontist is the perfect option for your kid.

To know more about their reputation, you can read testimonials on their website. However, these testimonials are likely to be positive and biased.

For honest and unbiased reviews, consider third-party review websites such as Yelp. Here, you’ll come across positive and negative reviews, which is normal for any business. However, if the negative reviews outdo the positive ones, avoid the practice and move to the next.

The criticism or praise you encounter reflects the actual experience of seeking treatment there.

Ask for References

Before opting for the potential pediatric orthodontist, ask for contact details of parents whose kids they have treated. You want to reach out to those parents and get the info right from the horse’s mouth.

A reputable orthodontist should be happy to offer you references as they are sure you’ll be convinced to choose them. However, if they are hesitant to provide you with the contact details without any valid reason, they might be concealing something.

When you reach out to the parents of past patients, ask them about the general experience of seeking treatment there. Were their kids treated, or did they have to seek treatment elsewhere? Would they go back to the same orthodontist for treatment again?

All these questions will help you determine whether they were satisfied with the services provided. Are you happy taking your kid to the same practice?

Check on the Facility Condition

Before you commit to taking your child to a potential orthodontist, set an appointment and visit their practice. Check on the general atmosphere of the facility.

Is the environment clean? Are the staff friendly? Is the equipment modern and well maintained?

Talk to the staff and ask all your questions and concerns. How are they communicating with you? Do they answer your question to satisfaction?

Also, you want to meet the actual orthodontist who will treat your child. Ask them about their experience in treating kids’ orthodontic issues.

If the facility is appealing and the staff is friendly, determine if your child is comfortable there. If they are, then you might have found the best orthodontist for them.

Find Children’s Orthodontist Today

Your child’s oral health is as important as their education. Through orthodontic treatment, you give them a beautiful, dazzling smile into their adulthood. But choosing the best pediatric orthodontist is invaluable for top-quality results.

Here are some considerations to make when choosing a children’s orthodontist.

Are you looking for a pediatric dentist in Hendersonville, TN? At Just 4 Kids Teeth, we are here to help. We are a leading pediatric dental and orthodontic practice committed to ensuring your kid achieves a happy, healthy smile.

Contact us today to book an appointment.