When it comes to your child’s teeth, it can be hard to know what the best course of action is. As soon as your child’s first tooth appears, you may have questions about how to find a pediatric orthodontist near me who can examine his or her smile and determine if they need braces in the future. But if you don’t know where to start looking, then it might seem like an impossible task!
Finding an orthodontist
If you’re looking for an orthodontist for your child, a Google search should be able to find several pediatric orthodontists near you. But don’t just go with any of them. While finding one that is highly rated and well reviewed is helpful, it’s even more important that you feel comfortable with them. The best way to do that is through word-of-mouth from friends or family who have used their services before. Also make sure they’ve been in practice for at least a few years since there’s no reason why anyone can’t read a book on orthodontics and open up shop, but experience makes all the difference in your treatment. Also make sure they take health insurance so your out-of-pocket costs are minimal. Happy hunting! 🙂
Choosing an orthodontic team
Start with your pediatrician and insurance provider. That’s because orthodontic treatment is usually covered under most dental insurance plans and many doctors will refer patients directly to an orthodontist who participates in their network. If you don’t have dental insurance, you can still find a kids orthodontist near me but it will be more difficult since that specialist is usually only accepted by one or two insurers.
In addition, some orthodontists prefer to work with children of certain ages, so ask about how old kids need to be before they start treatment. Other questions to ask include: Do you treat children as young as three? What are your cancellation policies? How long does it take for braces to come off? Does that vary depending on what type of braces are used? Once you get some names from your pediatrician and insurance company, do some research online using sites like Yelp! or Google Maps.
Choosing the right time for braces
With so many decisions to make, it’s hard to know where to start. Often, choosing which orthodontic treatment is best begins with determining if you have an issue that could be improved through treatment. But, before your first visit with a pediatric orthodontist near me, ask yourself these questions: What issues do I need help with? Am I currently bother by anything? Do I want my teeth straightened over time or do I want immediate results? Do you think braces are going to help me feel better about myself and my appearance? The answers will provide insight into whether braces are right for you at any give time.
What are braces made of?
Braces, in their most traditional form, are made of metal. In recent years, however, braces have evolved into clear ceramic brackets held together by invisible ligature wires. If you’re looking for orthodontic care for your child (or even yourself!), ask your orthodontist about which style is best for you. The benefits of one material over another is purely aesthetic—so if it doesn’t matter to you and your child, there’s no reason not to save some money and go with clear ceramic!
Things you should know about braces
Braces aren’t just for adults anymore. In fact, more and more kids are getting braces these days. One thing you should know about braces is that you can get them at any age—but there are some things that affect how long your orthodontic treatment will take. During your appointment, your orthodontist will discuss their length and type of treatment options with you. Kids need different types of treatment than adults, because there are different considerations when it comes to growth and development. Here’s what you should know about braces for kids
Making your decision
Your child has braces. Congratulations! Now comes perhaps one of the most important parts: choosing an orthodontist who’s right for you and your family. The first thing to consider is location—where will your child be getting braces? It might seem like a no-brainer, but it can save you time in terms of convenience and scheduling if you decide on someone who’s local or even within driving distance, rather than someone at another end of town or outside your city altogether. Keep in mind that not all pediatric orthodontists take on adult patients as well, so if you want your child to see them for future orthodontic work after his/her braces are remove, check with that practice ahead of time.
