There are plenty of orthodontists in Port Orange, but only one will be best for you and your loved ones. Once you start orthodontic care, it’s a prudent idea to stick with your current orthodontist. That’s why it’s so crucial to make the right decision.
Search for “orthodontists near me” and you’ll get plenty of results, but it’s wise to take it with a grain of salt. Just because a website is at the top of Google’s search results, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the best orthodontist for braces in Port Orange.
Websites can do all kinds of things to show up in online searches, but it’s their reputation with patients like you that really counts. If you’re willing to do a little extra legwork, then you can find a Port Orange orthodontist who will put a smile on your face.
How to Find the Best Orthodontist to Get Braces
Braces are probably what you think of first when you think of an orthodontist.
Sure enough, millions of Americans of all backgrounds and age groups use braces. Braces tend to work a little bit faster for younger patients, but anyone can benefit. Even if you’ve had untreated orthodontic issues for decades, your road to a strong and healthy smile starts with traditional braces.
So, looking for the best orthodontist to get braces is like looking for the best orthodontist, period. A set of braces is the most commonly requested service. An experienced local orthodontist will also be able to offer a variety of other treatments, which might include things like expanders and clear plastic aligners.
Let’s take a closer look at how to discover the best orthodontist for braces in Port Orange:
1. Start by Checking with People You Know
Although the search for orthodontists often begins online, you can learn a lot from your family members and friends. If they have had a good experience with a Port Orange orthodontist, then chances are you will as well. You can get real insight on a particular orthodontist and how they treat patients.
Parents have a natural advantage here, as school-aged kids are more likely than anyone else to get braces. You might be able to make connections through your local parent-teacher organization or a community social media group where you can ask about local orthodontists.
2. Take Your Search Online and Check Reviews
When you need to make an important purchase, reviews are key. Most people are honest in reviews and simply want to make their voice heard. But remember that business owners can also induce their employees and others to make reviews. You should always take reviews with a grain of salt.
It’s actually just as helpful to look at negative reviews as positive ones.
Anyone can make a mistake, but with orthodontic care, it’s essential to follow the highest standards of safety and professionalism. Any business will end up with one or two negative reviews – after all, some reviews just aren’t fair – but more than a handful should be considered a red flag.
When reading negative reviews, also pay close attention to the way the orthodontist responds. The more professional a response sounds, the better. When something goes wrong, the best thing to do is always to try to put it right – and you’ll be able to see if the orthodontist follows that philosophy.
3. Examine the Orthodontist’s Website in Detail
You can tell a lot about any orthodontist by what they say on their website. For example, if you’ve got young kids, you want to know your orthodontist has considered their needs enough to have a page or two about services for kids. If something has been overlooked, the company might not be a good fit.
While there’s always a potential to exaggerate on the internet, qualified orthodontists are doctors. They risk censure if they make untrue statements, so you can assume everything on the website is fully vetted by the orthodontist personally. How they describe their practice tells you a lot.
While you’re exploring the website, you can also make notes about any questions you may have. The orthodontists who make a good impression on you in these first three steps should be on your “short list” to investigate further – and you’re more than halfway through finding the best one for you.
4. Give the Office a Call
You have a busy schedule, and you might not want to take the time out to commit to a consultation. One way you can get more clarity about an orthodontist is to call the office. Ask any questions you’ve come up with along the way and see if you get full, satisfying answers.
You probably won’t have the opportunity to speak directly to the orthodontist if you call without an appointment, but that’s okay. Every member of a Port Orange orthodontic team should be equipped to help you. If they don’t have the information you need, they should know who does!
You might want to come up with a brief list of questions and write them down before your call. It’s not necessary to come up with anything difficult or tricky. Simply having a conversation will give you some sense of the quality of customer service you can expect.
5. Book a Consultation or Office Tour
Once you’ve narrowed down your orthodontist options to two or three, a consultation is the next step. A consultation doesn’t mean that you’re obligated to go forward with treatment. This is the chance to meet with the orthodontist, who can get the details needed to serve you better.
A consultation sometimes includes an orthodontic examination and x-ray. An x-ray is usually required if going forward with braces. The orthodontist needs to know the exact position of every tooth and which ones need help. However, you can choose to take these steps in a separate visit if you wish.
When you are not sure whether you want to stick with a given orthodontist, you might simply drop in for an office tour. During the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the staff and doctor and see all the equipment. This can help kids and teens feel more confident before it’s time for treatment.
An office tour may take as little as ten or fifteen minutes, while you should expect an hour or so for an initial consultation. This is because you may have some paperwork to fill out for your first visit. In the end, though, you may have all the information you need to think about your treatment options.
6. Consider Your Options for Braces
Believe it or not, there’s more than one option when it comes to braces. A Port Orange orthodontist will be able to walk you through all the selections. Still, it may help to have some of the details in advance. You can expect to hear about at least these three options:
Conventional Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most common orthodontic treatment. They are easy to care for and very effective. They are the best option for the most severe misalignments and gaps between teeth. Even though they work fastest for younger patients, anyone can benefit.
Depending on a patient’s needs, they may require braces for anywhere from around a year to close to two years. Your orthodontist can estimate about how long it will take to see desired changes. Even so, it’s vital to have regular follow-up appointments to check on the progress.
Follow-up appointments tend to be more frequent near the beginning of treatment, with less as time goes on. In the beginning, it might be necessary to have a follow-up appointment once a month, and sometimes more frequently. Later, it might be once every two months or longer.
Metal braces don’t require any major lifestyle changes, but there are some foods that are off-limits. Likewise, kids who participate in athletics should be careful to always wear a mouthguard. If braces become damaged in an accident, your Port Orange orthodontist can repair them.
For minor, common problems, you can even apply fixes at home.
At Beauchamp Orthodontics, we use braces with a smaller form factor that are more subtle and easier to care for. Kids and teens can choose colored ties for their braces to give them a little more personality, which makes them a lot more fun for our younger patients!
Clear Braces
Clear braces offer the powerful treatment of regular metal braces, but they are more discreet. These are popular for image-conscious teens as well as many adults who are embarking on orthodontic treatment for the first time. Even people carrying on a conversation with you may not be able to see them.
In other ways, clear braces are identical to metal braces. They are very easy to clean and care for. You’ll be provided with a schedule of follow-up appointments that will help ensure they remain perfectly fit for your teeth, with occasional adjustments as the process unfolds.
Clear Plastic Aligners
Clear plastic aligners come in two major brands. They are the most subtle, even more than clear braces, and are usually impossible to see. Unlike braces, you can remove them any time, but you’ll be asked to keep them in place most of every day to reach your treatment goals.
Clear plastic aligners aren’t always appropriate for the most severe orthodontic problems, but teens and adults both love them. Wearers should be especially careful when taking them out, as they can’t be fixed as easily as braces. They’ll usually have to be replaced with a new pair if any damage takes place.
Beauchamp Orthodontics Works Hard to Be the Best Port Orange Orthodontist for Braces
In the end, there’s no such thing as “the best Port Orange orthodontist near me.”
There’s only the best orthodontist to meet your needs and those of your loved ones.
A good orthodontist will work hard to make you feel comfortable, then give you the information you need to make an informed decision. When you have the facts, you are much more likely to choose an orthodontist who’ll be a trusted member of your family’s healthcare team for years to come.
Dr. Marielle Beauchamp set out to establish a Port Orange family orthodontist where everyone would feel heard. We understand your concerns and work with you to find the best treatment outcomes. Adults, kids, teens, and elders are all welcome here.
If you’re interested in braces or other orthodontic care, we’ll be happy to meet you.
It all starts by setting a consultation to discuss your needs. We look forward to helping you soon.
