Posted on September 28, 2020
Most orthodontists advise that children should be evaluated for orthodontic treatment by age seven. However, regardless of if treatment is needed or started by this age, having an orthodontic checkup can be vital to ensuring that your child’s teeth and jaw are developing properly. With an early enough visit, your orthodontist will be able to create the most effective treatment plan to help correct any problems before they become too severe. However, if you don’t have an orthodontist in mind, it’s important to know what to look for when trying to find the best one for your child.
Early orthodontics can offer a lifetime of benefits for your child, so to make the search easier, here is what you need to know before choosing an orthodontist.
When trying to find the best orthodontist for your child, it’s important to look into multiple options before making a decision. Some might not practice pediatric orthodontics, while some may offer specific treatments that others do not. When looking for the best option for your child’s first visit, you’ll want to look into the options that have the most experience with and cater to early childhood treatment.
Be sure to compare your options to see which one has the most experience with young patients, and don’t hesitate to set up a consultation or visit with the orthodontist prior to your child’s first appointment. This will allow you to meet the orthodontist and staff as well as see the facilities. This first-hand encounter can help make the decision process much easier.
One good thing about the digital age is the access to countless reviews online. You can usually access reviews directly on Google, as well as see the current rating left by past patients. Reading about past experiences from real people can help you make a more informed decision, and help you avoid places that might not have the greatest reputation. For instance, if you read reviews of an office where prior patients have complained about hygiene concerns, you may want to prioritize other options before consulting with that one.
If your dentist has mentioned that your child may need braces and advised you to seek an orthodontist, you may wish to see before and after sample pictures of previous work. Even among professionals, orthodontics techniques and skill levels can differ and produce different results. Seeing photos of previous patients’ results can help give you an idea of the orthodontist’s expertise. This can also go hand in hand with our next point.
You may wish to schedule multiple consultations and have your child evaluated by different orthodontists. After all the evaluations are done, consider comparing the prospective treatment plans and asking why each orthodontist thinks their plan is best, especially if they differ significantly. For instance, if one recommends waiting to begin treatment and the other recommends starting as soon as possible.
If you find yourself torn between options or unsure where to start your search, you can always ask your friends and family for recommendations to orthodontists they know and use. Similarly, your dentist can usually refer you to local professionals that they trust to help you narrow your search field.
If your child has yet to have an orthodontics checkup and they are age seven or older, it’s time to consider scheduling an appointment. While finding the right orthodontist can seem daunting, the process doesn’t have to be. With these tips in mind, you can help simplify the process and find the best option possible for your child.
