While many of us automatically begin seeing dentists as babies, under the guidance of our parents, orthodontists are another issue entirely. People often don’t begin seeing orthodontists until they are told to do so by their family dentists. This is even though there is quite a high need for orthodontic care in the country. Right now, over four million people across the United States wear braces, with 25% of those braces-wearing individuals being adults. But it’s one thing to be told that you or your child need to an orthodontist. It’s another thing entirely to find an affordable, quality orthodontist. Read on to see how you should go about doing so.
1. Ask for A Referral
Not all dentists give referrals to specific orthodontists. Some prefer to simply tell their patients that they need to see orthodontists, allowing them to make the decision themselves. Some dentists automatically give referrals. Even if your dentist doesn’t automatically refer you to an orthodontist, you can ask for a referral to make your search somewhat easier.
2. Consult Your Insurance Company
Today, it’s not that difficult to find an orthodontist within your insurance policy’s network. You should be able to pull up your policy online and make decisions from there, selecting an orthodontist within your network. However, you still need to do your research. Some out-of-network orthodontists can offer care that is still affordable.
3. Ask Around
Ask your friends in the area about who they saw for orthodontic care. You may be surprised by how many referrals you can get from simple word of mouth. The great thing about asking for personal referrals is that you can get unbiased, informative reviews.
4. Consult Online Groups
If your personal friends don’t have referrals, think about joining community groups and asking for referrals there. Facebook is often full of community groups with plenty of local reviews.
5. Call the Offices
If you simply search online for orthodontists and make calls to their offices, you may be surprised by how much you can find out. You can be given relative estimates for care and get an idea of the people working there.
Be selective when choosing an orthodontist. With enough research, you can find the perfect one for you and your family! An affordable orthodontist can still be a great orthodontist. Learn more by contacting the friendly team at Garcia Orthodontics, today!