A smile and the way your teeth are aligned have a big impact on your daily life. Not only can a crooked smile affect your oral health and digestive process, but it can also cause low self-esteem and confidence issues. There are a million reasons why people get orthodontics but the key to having the most success is finding the right orthodontist in Billings.
When you have a provider that you know you can trust, who listens to your questions and concerns, and who has top-notch skills, you can feel confident that you’ll love your new smile.
The first step in finding a good orthodontist is to have open communication and ask for as much information upfront as possible. We suggest starting with these seven questions before beginning any orthodontic treatments.
1. What Insurance Do You Accept?
Obviously, one of the biggest concerns for most patients is how much seeing an orthodontist is going to cost them. These treatment options often have a bad reputation for being extremely expensive, which generally isn’t the case especially if insurance is involved.
Since every case is different, it’s hard to give an exact price breakdown but every orthodontic office will be able to give you a thorough estimate before you begin. This will also include if your insurance is accepted and how much your plan covers of the overall price. Talking with the provider’s billing department is the best way to prepare and get a full view of the price.
2. Do You Offer a Variety of Options
Just looking around at the people in your life, it’s obvious that one dental treatment won’t work the same for everyone. Each individual mouth needs a customized approach for specific results, which is why it’s a good idea to ask the orthodontist what types of orthodontics they offer.
It’s a good idea to check and see if your potential provider offers a variety of techniques like Invisalign aligners, ceramic braces, or self-litigating braces. This way you can see how well they can customize to your needs.
A variety of options gives you more power in how your treatment goes and what your end results are.
3. How Long Will I Have Orthodontics?
Another factor in how your orthodontic journey goes is how long the entire transformation will take. Though there are variables and things may change throughout the course, orthodontists should be able to give you a good estimate for the timeline.
This is especially important if you suffer from dental anxiety or any fear of dentists. When you know what to expect and how often you’ll be required to come into the office, you can prepare yourself to be able to better handle it. The more information the better equipped you’ll be to take on the whole process!
4. What Results Can I Expect?
When you’ve been living with a smile that’s causing you problems or one that doesn’t look the way you’d like, chances are you have an idea in your mind of what you’d like it to look like. Before beginning treatment, it’s a good idea to ask what results you can expect from the process.
Obviously, the orthodontist won’t be able to show you exactly but they’ll be able to give you an idea of which problems can be fixed.
These professionals have a deep, solid understanding of how braces work and know what’s possible and what’s not. This conversation will help you feel prepared and, hopefully, excited about the possibilities.
5. Will I Need to Make Any Changes?
Braces are definitely an adjustment for most patients. It takes a while to get used to having some extra hardware in your mouth full-time. As you talk to your potential orthodontist, you can ask questions about what to expect and discuss what lifestyle changes you may need to make during treatment.
For the most part, orthodontics don’t affect daily life or restrict the activities you can participate in. But there may be some dietary changes that will reduce the issues you have and help the appliances work better.
Once you get your braces, you want them to work as quickly and effectively as possible so minimizing problems is crucial.
6. What Maintenance is Required?
Along the same lines, you’ll want to ask about how to best take care of your braces once they are installed. It may seem obvious but your orthodontist will have all of the tips and tricks to make you as successful as possible.
The main aspect of braces maintenance is keeping the teeth as clean as possible to avoid cavities. It’s likely that the orthodontist will recommend a few specialty tools so you can get the best clean and work around the brackets and wires. Having these on hand as soon as you get your braces will help you start on the right foot.
7. Are You Available for Questions?
Going into an orthodontic experience can be overwhelming for some. It’s important to know that your provider is available and willing to listen to your concerns and questions as they arise.
You want to work with an orthodontist who will take the time to help you feel comfortable with the process and the results you’re seeing. As things progress you should stay open about how you think it’s going and any tweaks you’d like to make as things progress. The best results come when everyone is on the same page.
Finding an Orthodontist in Billings
Getting a new smile is an exciting prospect, especially if you’ve been wanting to make the change for a long time. It can also be a nerve-wracking time wondering what kind of results you’ll have and if you’ll like your new look.
The best way to really feel pumped and reduce anxiety is to find the best orthodontist in Billings to work on your alignment. It’s important to remember that your provider is on your team and you should feel confident that they’re working with you to get you the exact smile you’ve always dreamed of.
If you’re ready to get started on your orthodontic journey, contact us today to set up a consultation!