Getting braces may be costly, but with the right orthodontic specialist, the procedure will go very well. Now the issue is finding the right orthodontist. You can get recommendations from friends and family, but you still have to check them out yourself. According to the American Association of Orthodontics, about 3.9 million kids need orthodontic treatment in the U.S. If your child needs braces, you want to send them to the best orthodontist you can find.
1. Kid-Friendly
Orthodontists deal with most ages, but young teens getting braces form a large part of their patient base. The orthodontist absolutely has to be able to get along with them. This includes understanding that kids and teens are not going to be very happy about having braces, and sometimes their tooth care may not be the best because the braces can make it awkward. The orthodontist should be able to reason with kids and teens and let them know why they are having this done, and the benefits it can bring.
2. Accepting
An orthodontic specialist should present you with options and can present recommendations. However, if the one you’re speaking with seems very pushy like they’re trying to get you to agree to extra procedures or upgrades that aren’t necessary, a second opinion would be a good idea. Good orthodontists can still recommend extra procedures or more expensive materials; after all, they want you to know what options your child has and how those options might look. You just want to be sure that the recommendations don’t make you feel like you’re being cornered. A good orthodontist will accept you saying “no.” If something is required, due to your child’s specific situation, the orthodontist should be able to explain why.
3. Friendly Staff
You can learn a lot about a medical professional’s office just by interacting with the staff. If you call an orthodontic specialist office and feel like the staff isn’t being very communicative, or if they seem impatient with you, that’s not a great sign. While it’s possible the staff may have been having an off day, that’s more likely when it’s one person acting odd and the rest acting professionally. If everyone in the office seems to be having a bad day, you may want to look elsewhere. Office staff should be professional and help you get the information you need.
If your child needs braces, start calling orthodontists for consultations today. The sooner you start, the sooner the entire process will be finished. Contact Nowlin Orthodontics today to start your child on their orthodontic journey.
