Among the 4 million people in the United States that have braces, 25% of them are adults. If you have an entire family that’s thinking about getting braces in Cleveland, Ohio, you might want to consider a family orthodontist. Family orthodontics focuses on the entire family. But finding the right Cleveland orthodontist might seem difficult. What are some important things to look for in a family orthodontist?
In this article, you’ll learn more about orthodontists and why you should choose a family orthodontist for your dental work.
What Are Orthodontists?
Orthodontists are dentists who specialize in the field of orthodontics. Orthodontics correct jaw problems like:
- misalignment
- overbites
- underbites
- crossbites
- crowding
- gaps in the teeth
In order to become an orthodontist, dentists must complete dental school and then enter a residency program for two to three years. During this time, they focus on orthodontics and even see patients under the full supervision of an orthodontist.
Once they’ve completed the program, they graduate and have the option to become board certified in orthodontics. A family dentist cleans and examines your teeth. A family orthodontist provides specialized care to align your teeth, correct your jaw, and give you a beautiful smile.
It’s important that you find the right orthodontist for you and your family, but why should you choose a family orthodontist? If you’re considering getting braces in Cleveland, Ohio, here are some reasons you’ll want to look for a family orthodontist.
Family Orthodontists Offer Consistency
When you have young children seeing an orthodontist, it’s important to keep consistency with the same provider. Children become anxious when they see different providers.
When you see a family orthodontist, you develop a sense of familiarity and build a relationship with your orthodontist. This makes it easier for anxious children to cooperate when they have appointments.
More Specific Education
Family orthodontists provide specialized care because they’ve trained for hours refining their skills. They understand more about correcting jaw issues and teeth alignment than a regular dentist. When searching for an orthodontist in Cleveland, you want to check their education and see how long they’ve been in practice.
They Are Board-Certified
A board-certified family orthodontist means they meet higher-quality standards in the dental field. A dentist studies hours for a rigorous exam to become board certified. Orthodontists gain their certification through the American Board of Orthodontists.
A board-certified orthodontist means that your care and concerns come first. This gives you confidence that they’ll do the best work possible.
Family-Specific Services
Family orthodontists mainly focus on jaw and teeth alignment using braces and Invisalign. They may offer other services to complete your treatment. Sometimes, patients need a variety of treatments to get a functional smile, like tooth extractions, appliances, and in extreme cases, jaw surgery.
If you need a specific service, check and see what services and treatments the orthodontists offer.
A Family Orthodontist Saves You Time
One of the perks of a family orthodontist is the convenience of appointments, all in one place, and saving you time. You don’t need to concern yourself with visiting different orthodontists for your family.
A family orthodontist that’s close to you saves you even more time, especially with busy families. You also don’t mix up providers.
Access to Your History
A family orthodontist also means they have access to all your dental records in one place. They understand your dental history and can diagnose you more accurately.
A family orthodontist also catches developmental problems before they become larger issues. Without the help of a family orthodontist, your child’s jaw may grow improperly.
Finding a Great Family Orthodontist Is Easy
Scheduling a consultation is one of the best ways to get to know the orthodontists and their staff. You’ll see how smoothly and efficiently they run their practice.
Before your consultation, make a list of questions for your orthodontist. You might ask, how long they’ve been in practice, what types of patients they see, and what might treatment look like for you. You can also ask for before and after pictures of the treatment of previous patients.
If you’re taking the entire family, you’ll want to know about hours of operation, proximity, and how long appointments typically take.
Paying for Braces at a Family Orthodontist
Paying for braces likely invokes fear in many patients and this may be a reason why they avoid orthodontic treatment. Generally speaking, braces may cost around 1,500 to 5,000 dollars depending on the severity of the case.
However, the cost of braces shouldn’t deter you from getting orthodontic work. Investing in orthodontic work reduces the risk of problems later in life like tooth decay, jaw pain, and more. These dental issues may take more money to resolve and put a risk to your health.
Many family orthodontic offices offer payment plans for their patients. This makes orthodontic work more affordable for families. A staff member helps you create a financial plan that isn’t a burden so you can feel comfortable getting orthodontic treatment.
Before talking to your orthodontist about payment, check with your insurance company to see if they cover any portion of orthodontics. They may cover a portion, though they usually don’t cover the entire cost.
Getting Braces in Cleveland, Ohio
Finding a family orthodontist for braces in Cleveland, Ohio shouldn’t be a chore. The right family orthodontic practice is happy to see patients of all ages and works towards achieving a healthier and happier smile.
Are you looking for a Cleveland orthodontist? Our office is glad and ready to answer all of your questions. Schedule a consultation with us today and be on your way to a beautiful smile.