10 Questions To Ask The Orthodontist

You’ve got questions and we have answers!  When it’s time to decide which orthodontist is the best fit for you or your child, it’s important to have your questions answered so that you can be confident in your choice. You should meet with more than one orthodontist. Here are the questions to ask the orthodontist to find out if they are the right one for you. Steel City Orthodontics offers consultations that allow you to ask questions and understand your options before you decide on treatment.

These 10 questions and their answers will help you determine which orthodontist you want to work with. 

Ask the Orthodontist: “How do I know I need the treatment you’re proposing?”

The orthodontist should be able to give you a specific answer to this question by showing you exactly where the problem is and how the solution being proposed will solve it. Don’t settle for an orthodontist who isn’t prepared to give you a detailed explanation of how the treatment they’re proposing will help you. 

What problems will the treatment fix?

Ask the orthodontist what problems the treatment they’re recommending will fix. They should be able to answer this question by visually showing you the specific problems that their treatment plan will address. 

What are the possible consequences of not following the treatment plan you’re proposing?

Treatment plans usually involve several steps. Understanding what will happen if you opt to delay a step or if you want to avoid a step altogether is crucial to knowing whether or not this treatment plan is best for you. Ask the orthodontist to give you all the information about what will happen during each step of treatment, along with what consequences may occur if you neglect to adopt any part of the treatment plan.

If you needed braces, how would you choose your orthodontist?

This question can give you insight into what the orthodontist considers to be the most important elements of choosing a doctor. This question is a bit more personal than others and can be a great way to determine how honest and trustworthy an orthodontist is. Look for a candid answer that doesn’t automatically assume the orthodontist you’re speaking with is the best one for your situation.

What makes a good orthodontist?

This is another question that can give you some insight into the character of your orthodontist. They should stand behind the answer they give with their actions and their track record. For instance, if they say that a good orthodontist spends time with each patient, and they only spend a few minutes with you during your consultation, you’ll know that they don’t stand behind their own beliefs about how a good orthodontist should operate.

What are the practice’s office hours?

This question is important, especially if you have a busy schedule and cannot make appointments during business hours. Ask the orthodontist if they’re open during the evenings and on weekends, and also find out how difficult it is to get an emergency appointment. The availability and accessibility of an orthodontist can make all the difference. 

Do you provide patient references?

Talking to patients is a great way to find out about the orthodontist’s bedside manner, treatment plans, payment plans, and overall ability to provide a great experience. Ask the orthodontist to provide you the contact information for at least a few of their happy patients. If they aren’t, see if you have friends or family members who have gone to the orthodontist you’re talking to. 

Who will be performing the actual orthodontic work and what are their credentials?

Ask the orthodontist who will perform the orthodontic work. Often, orthodontists don’t perform the work of attaching brackets, bending wires, etc. They have associates who do the work for them. Find out if that’s the case and, if so, what experience and qualifications the associates have. 

What are your billing options?

Understand billing and payment plan options upfront to avoid problems later on. Don’t be afraid to ask the orthodontist what billing options are provided by their office. 

What are post-treatment plans?

You shouldn’t start working with an orthodontist until you have a very clear idea of what the plan is before, during, and after treatment. At this point, you should also get a timeline of how long everything will take, including post-treatment.

The team at Steel City Orthodontics wants every patient to feel comfortable with the orthodontic treatment they choose–that’s why we encourage you to ask the orthodontist the tough questions! Providing options that range from traditional metal braces to the Invisalign® clear aligner system means that your treatment will be designed to fit your needs. We welcome the questions.

The orthodontists at Steel City Orthodontics are trained and ready to give you the beautiful smile you deserve.  Start your smile journey today by scheduling your consultation online or call us at one of our convenient locations!