I Need to Find a Great Orthodontist Near Me
Has your general dentist referred you for an orthodontic consultation? Does your child or teen need braces? Are you interested in Invisalign for cosmetic improvements to your smile? You may be asking yourself, “How do I find a great orthodontist near me?”
Today’s blog will help you find an “orthodontist near me” by providing you with 5 important considerations for your search. We’ll cover these topics:
- Best Location
- Convenient Appointments
- Extensive Dentist Training
- Friendly, Welcoming Office Atmosphere
- Diverse Treatment Options
- Excellent Patient Comfort & Care
Let’s dive in!
Best Location
You’re searching for a “dentist near me,” but take a moment to consider just how often you’ll see your orthodontist. Whether you or your child need traditional braces or Invisalign clear aligners, you’ll visit the orthodontist every six weeks for a check-in appointment. What would be most convenient? Do you need an ortho office that is:
- Near work?
- Near home?
- Near school?
Convenient Appointments
What time of day is best for your regular orthodontic visits? With Invisalign, check-in visits take only a few minutes. For patients who wear braces, visits can take an hour or so, depending on what needs to be adjusted to keep teeth moving toward their ideal position.
Orthodontists may offer before-work appointments, at 8 am, or after-work visits, after 5 pm, for your convenience. However, if you choose an orthodontist near your work, you could opt for lunchtime visits.
Dentist Training
Orthodontists first earn a doctorate in dentistry, either a DMD or DDS. These degrees involve the same training. Afterward, a specialist (like an orthodontist, prosthodontist, oral surgeon, etc.) must train for an additional two or three years. This advanced training includes a hands-on residency under the supervision of experienced specialists.
The most highly trained and vetted orthodontists are board certified. This means, after earning their specialist designation, they applied to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) for board certification. The process involves hundreds of hours of work and is completely voluntary. Orthodontists can practice without board certification.
To acquire board certification, an orthodontist undergoes testing and submits cases for peer review. Selection for board certification has to do with experience and demonstrating knowledge, as well as good judgment, in practice. The entire process must be repeated every 10 years to maintain board certification.
Office Atmosphere
In addition to being clean and having a friendly, professional staff, an orthodontist’s office should make you feel welcome. The decor, seating, sites, and sounds should be upbeat and positive. If for any reason you feel uncomfortable with the physical attributes of the office or the attitudes of the team members or dentist, consider finding a new orthodontist.
Diverse Treatment Options
A trained and forward-thinking orthodontist will offer diverse treatment options for children and adults. For instance, the orthodontist may offer:
- Traditional Braces
- Phase 1 Orthodontics
- Retreatment
- Clear Braces
- Lingual Braces
- Invisalign
- Invisalign First
- Invisalign Teen
- Other Appliances
Patient Comfort & Care
Perhaps most importantly, you need to feel emotionally and physically safe and well cared for by your orthodontist and his or her team. This means, in addition to being served well at appointments, when you call the office, you should feel respected and appreciated.
Patient comfort may also shine through in how the orthodontist and clinical team members provide care. Gentle, compassionate clinicians will ask how you feel, help you feel optimally comfortable during treatment, and offer advice for easing post-treatment discomfort.
Your “Orthodontist Near Me” Is Right Here!
Patients who live or work near Tomball, TX, should explore Harmony Orthodontics, where Dr. Wint Tun provides expert orthodontic care for patients of all ages. In our bright, welcoming office, you’ll feel respected, appreciated, and well cared for. Give us a call today at 832-699-3683 to reserve a convenient initial consultation with Dr. Tun.