Dental Plan Blog

4 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Choosing an Orthodontist

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Mistake #1: Not asking the right questions:

Many people go into their initial consultation with an orthodontist and let them do all the work. After all, orthodontists go through extremely rigid training (4 years of dental school plus at least 2 years of full-time study in an ADA accredited orthodontic residency program) and only 6 percent of dentists are trained as orthodontists.

However, creating a properly aligned and well-functioning smile is a huge task, one that should definitely be performed by an experienced and trusted orthodontist. Your consultation is a vital time for building that trust and the best way to do this is to ask the right questions.

Here are a few good ones to start you off:

1. How long have you been a practicing Orthodontist?
2. Are you a member of the American Academy of Orthodontics?
3. Can you give me a rough idea of how many patients you've treated?
4. How do you handle orthodontic emergencies that occur outside of business hours?
5. What types of financing are available? Do you have a payment plan option available?
6. Do you offer a variety of braces? If so, which ones?

 Mistake #2 Not doing any research on braces beforehand:

Braces are a huge commitment, which is why you need to know what to expect before you move forward with orthodontic treatment. Specifically,  you should know what exactly will go in your mouth and what choices you have for braces today.

Braces traditionally have three main components:

1. Brackets that are attached to each tooth
2. Bonding material that holds each bracket to each tooth
3. Arch wire (a thin wire running from bracket to bracket that holds the entire system together)

Also, there are generally 3 types of braces available today: metal, ceramic and invisible braces. Metal braces are the most common ones. They're made of stainless steel which is very sturdy, excellent for straightening teeth and realigning your bite. Ceramic braces are almost transparent in color so they're much less obvious looking than metal ones. However, the most discreet looking form of braces are the invisible ones, the clear plastic removable slides that are very popular with celebrities.  

 Mistake # 3 Not having your teeth cleaned beforehand:

Orthodontic patients should get a professional dental cleaning from several weeks before they have their braces applied. Also, they should brush and floss thoroughly on the day of the procedure before they get the work done.

Mistake #4 Thinking their lives will change the moment they get braces:

People often think they'll experience some major changes when they get braces. For instance, they'll worry about being in pain all the time and not being able to eat any of their favorite foods.

Here's the truth of the matter:

• Orthodontic patients will experience sore teeth for several days after braces are applied. They also might experience an unusual sensation of constant pressure on the teeth, but that'll only last a few weeks. After roughly 2-3 weeks, they'll hardly even notice they're wearing braces at all.
• People with braces do need to modify their food choices, but only slightly. They should avoid sticky and chewy foods which can clog the wires in your braces, potentially pulling the brackets out of place.

Mistake #5 Not taking action when they find a good doctor

Your teeth are something you live with day and day out so it goes without saying that you'll do your homework and shop around. After all, why trust your smile with anything but the best.

Shopping around is great, in fact it's a must, but you shouldn't lose sight of what you're shopping for: a great orthodontist. So, once you've done your research, had your one-on-one consultation, and after all is said and done, you feel very comfortable with the doctor, why wait to get the process started?

Need to find an orthodontist but not sure where to start? Ask several friends who you know have had braces (or whose children have had braces) what orthodontist they worked with and whether or not they'd recommend him or her. Or, if you're in Massachusetts (and you're also looking for a discount dental plan that makes orthodontia affordable), sign up for Universal Dental Plan, save 20-50% on your braces immediately with our deep dental discounts and browse our network of Massachusetts dentists and specialists to find the best orthodontist for you.