It may sound dramatic, but one cannot underestimate the importance of taking the time to find the right orthodontist. Believe it or not, the decision that you make will impact your health and appearance for years, if not for the rest of your life. If you find a good orthodontist and they perform the treatment that you need in the way that you want, you are going to be happier with the end result. The confidence that can be garnered from orthodontic treatment is something that will affect you in almost every aspect of your life for years to come.
On the other side of the coin, dealing with an inexperienced orthodontist increases the chance that you are going to have less than stellar results. This may mean that you will have to pay more out-of-pocket expenses to correct the mistakes that they make, you will have the disappointment and frustration that comes from any complications that take place, and you will have lower self-esteem and less confidence, not to mention poor oral health.
One crucial aspect of finding a good orthodontist is finding one who has the right professional affiliations. You want an orthodontist who has a lot of experience in the procedures and treatments that you are having done.
However, it is also important to realize that not all orthodontists are the same. So you want to make sure that the orthodontist has not only earned a DDS degree from an accredited university, but that they are also affiliated with various professional organizations related to orthodontics. When you visit the practice website, you can usually learn about their history, their education, and the most common procedures that they perform and treatments that they offer.
If you find an orthodontist who has multiple professional affiliations, you’re on the right path. But still more investigation is needed because orthodontics has a lot of sub-specialties. Different areas of treatment require different skills. The skill set for certain services is completely different, and just because a professional has experience in one thing, it does not mean that they are the best option for a different treatment.
It is good to ask the orthodontist, how did you train for the treatment that I am thinking about having done? Or ask them how long they have been offering this type of service. When it comes to selecting an orthodontist, there is nothing wrong with being picky and asking questions.
When you’re ready to enhance your smile, you can turn to Dr. St. Louis and the expert team at Central Texas Orthodontics in Austin, TX. Contact us today to book your appointment and get started!
