Choosing an orthodontist

Many patients wonder what is the best way to choose an orthodontist if I move during orthodontic treatment.

I always tell patients “the same way you chose your first orthodontist.” Word of mouth. It’s always best to choose an orthodontist by their reputation in the community. If an orthodontist is well respected by his peers and patients it’s a good bet you’ll have a good experience.  

But there are some other factors to consider:

• Cost - all orthodontists have similar but different fee schedules
• Appointment schedules - when is the office open and what times are you expected to come in for different appointments
• Insurance - what type of insurance does the office accept
• Philosophy of treatment - this is a really tricky one. Orthodontists have different philosophies about the kind of treatment they prefer to deliver. An example would be extraction vs non-extraction. Some doctors don’t mind extracting teeth if there is crowding, others try never to extract. There are pros and cons to each approach and it’s always good to discuss the need to extract or not and the reasoning behind it.
• Chairside manner - everyone has their own opinion about this one but it’s always a bonus if your orthodontist is approachable, kind, and willing to discuss any concerns that might occur during treatment.