Factors to Consider When Choosing an Orthodontist

An orthodontist is a dentist who has specialized in the prevention and correction of malpositioned teeth and jaws.  If you are having dental problems such as malpositioned teeth and jaws, it is essential that you seek the services of an orthodontist. There are some factors you should consider when choosing an orthodontist.

The first consideration when choosing an orthodontist is the professionalism of the orthodontist and his qualifications. Do proper research about the orthodontist by searching online for reviews about the orthodontist.  You can get personal referrals and recommendation from close acquaintances that may have a good orthodontist in mind for you.

Find out whether the dentist is a general dental practitioner or offers solutions to orthodontic problems one example of which is Whitlock Orthodontics.  Determine the kind of assistance you are looking for since you may be looking for a general dentist for checkups and oral maintenance or whether you are in search for an orthodontist to address a specific problem.Consider the flexibility of the orthodontist and see whether the orthodontist is available when you want to fix an appointment into your schedule and if it suits you.

You should also evaluate now whether the orthodontist has excellent communication skills.  Take note of the orthodontist's payment plan and if it falls within your criteria and don't forget to ask about the rate of charges that the orthodontist asks for the services. You should also make sure that you research about the quality of dental care offered by the hospital or clinic where the orthodontist treats the patients.  The location of the hospital or dental clinic should be suitable for you to ensure you don't have to seek dental care far away.

You can also consider the gender of the orthodontist since some dental health procedures may require you to talk about your personal information. You should also consider the measures put in place by the orthodontist to control infection. Another factor to put into consideration is the quality of patient care and comfort offered by the orthodontist and his team.  You can also check from the board's website if the orthodontist has been involved or mentioned in former malpractice and find out whether there are any past claims against a particular orthodontist.

You can call the orthodontist's office and ask about his/her practice, the kind of services offered by the orthodontist, the educational background, experience and the reputation of the professionalism of the orthodontist. You can also get to know the staff members that work with the orthodontist.  Find out whether the orthodontist has invested in new dental technologies that aim to improve the patient's experience and enhance the treatment process. Ask about the sort of patient comforts the practice offers to help with patients that have dental anxiety. 

To get additional info go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journal_of_Orthodontics