About 76% of people base first impressions on someone’s smile. Meanwhile, 60% of adults believe they could benefit from teeth straightening treatment. About 70% believe it would improve their self-esteem.
As a parent, you can give your child’s self-esteem a boost by visiting a Cleveland orthodontist. Beginning treatment as a child will allow them to benefit from their smile for years to come.
Not sure how to find the best orthodontist in Cleveland, Ohio? Read on for the tips you need for a successful search today.
Talk to Other Parents
Begin your search by speaking with other parents who live in or around Cleveland. Ask if they can recommend a local orthodontist. You can also gather referrals from your child’s pediatrician.
As you begin speaking with parents, try to learn from their previous encounters with the orthodontist. First, ask questions about the clinic. For example, you can ask about the staff, office location, and clinic’s cleanliness.
Next, ask about the orthodontist. For example, was the child comfortable? Try to find an orthodontist who has an easy time interacting with kids.
Ask questions about the orthodontist’s training, education, and career, too. Otherwise, learn more about the services the orthodontist offers.
Asking these questions can help you build a list of local orthodontists to research further.
Meanwhile, finding professionals other parents already know, love, and trust can put you at ease. You can feel more confident choosing an orthodontist other parents already rely on.
Check for Training
Once you have a list of local orthodontists to choose from, look into their education, training, and history. First, make sure each orthodontist on your list went to and graduated from an accredited institution. Make a note of when they graduated, too.
You can find this information on the “About Us” page on each orthodontist’s website or their Healthgrades.com profile.
Medicine changes over time. With new discoveries and technology comes new services and procedures. Look for an orthodontist who has kept up with their education and training over time.
These professionals are more likely to offer the latest, most effective treatments.
Confirm that each orthodontist on your list is licensed to practice in Ohio, too.
Find an Experienced Pro
It’s not enough to find someone with the proper credentials. Next, make sure each Cleveland orthodontist has used what they learned over time. Determine how long each clinic has run and operated in Cleveland.
An established, long-standing business has likely worked out operational kinks like scheduling and billing. They’ve probably outlasted other practices in the area as well. You can feel more confident choosing an orthodontist with years of hands-on experience in the industry, too.
These professionals will have an easier time assessing your child’s needs. They can leverage their prior experience to provide your child with a customized treatment plan.
Review Their Services
Your child will likely need braces if they have:
- Teeth that are crooked or crowded
- Jaws that click when they chew
- Stress or fatigue on the jawline when chewing
- Teeth that don’t close over each other properly
- Difficulty pronouncing specific words
- A tendency to bite their tongue
- Difficulty flossing between and brushing around crooked teeth
However, braces are no longer the lone treatment option for crooked or crowded teeth. Before choosing a Cleveland orthodontist, determine what services they offer. Your child might benefit from an alternative form of orthodontic treatment.
Traditional metal braces work by applying continuous pressure to slowly move teeth into place over a period of time.
Surgical orthodontics is ideal for severe cases. For example, patients with jaw bone abnormalities, malocclusion, or bad bites are ideal for surgery.
Older children might benefit from Invisalign, which involves wearing clear, plastic retainers around their teeth. They can remove the aligners to eat, brush, and floss. Younger children, however, might forget to put their aligners back into place after meals.
ClearCorrect invisible braces also don’t require wires or brackets. Instead, they’re a clear alternative to traditional braces that provide additional comfort.
As you look for braces in Cleveland, consider finding an office that offers more than one treatment option. Then, you can choose the orthodontic treatment that best aligns with your child’s needs, preferences, and lifestyle.
Read Reviews
Before choosing an orthodontist from your list, read online reviews for each practice. You can find reviews on the practice’s Google Business or Better Business Bureau profiles. Check their website for a Testimonials page, too.
Pay attention to comments about the orthodontist’s professionalism and bedside manner. If you find a number of complaints from parents, remove that practice from your list.
Make sure the orthodontist doesn’t have a disciplinary record, either. If they have any medical malpractice claims filed against them, keep searching.
Finding a local orthodontist with a strong professional reputation can help you feel more confident in your choice.
Consider the Location
Determine where each orthodontist is located as well. Try to find a practice near your child’s school or home.
Finding a practice that’s located nearby can provide ease and convenience. You’ll have an easier time taking your child to their appointments.
Schedule an Appointment
To find the best orthodontist on your list, schedule a consultation appointment at three local clinics. Prepare a list of questions you want to ask ahead of time. For example:
- Who will oversee my child’s treatment
- Do you offer extended office hours
- What type of insurance do you accept
- Do you offer financing options
- How will you determine what treatment my child needs
Ask any questions you weren’t able to answer through your research, too.
During the appointment, look around the clinic. Is it clean and organized? Make a note about how long you wait to see the orthodontist, too.
After asking your questions, consider how the orthodontist communicated. Were they friendly and easy to understand? Consider how your child might respond to them, too.
Then, review your notes to make your final choice!
Start Smiling: Find the Best Orthodontist for Your Child Today
Finding the best orthodontist in Cleveland is easier than you might think. Start your search using these easy tips. Then, review your notes to choose a professional you can trust.
The right choice can set your child up for years of stunning success.
Eager to schedule your child’s appointment? We can’t wait to see you both.
Contact us today to get started.