Finding the right orthodontist is essential for achieving a healthy and beautiful smile. Here are some steps to help you find the right orthodontist for your needs:
Ask for Recommendations:
Start by asking your family, friends, and colleagues for recommendations. Personal referrals are often the best way to find a reputable orthodontist.
Consult Your Dentist:
Your regular dentist can be a valuable source of information. They can recommend orthodontists they trust and have worked with before.
Check Online Reviews:
Look for online reviews and ratings of orthodontists in your area. Websites like Google, Yelp, and Healthgrades can provide insights into patient experiences.
Credentials and Experience:
Ensure the orthodontist is properly licensed and board-certified. Check their credentials and education. Experience matters, so inquire about their years of practice.
Specialization and Treatment Options:
Orthodontics covers a wide range of treatments, from traditional braces to Invisalign and other advanced options. Make sure the orthodontist offers the treatment you're interested in.
Initial Consultation:
Schedule an initial consultation with the orthodontist. This is an opportunity to meet them in person, discuss your concerns, and ask questions about your treatment plan.
Ask Questions:
During the consultation, ask about their treatment approach, the estimated timeline, costs, and any potential complications or alternatives. Make sure you feel comfortable with their explanations.
Visit the Office:
Pay a visit to the orthodontist's office to get a sense of the environment. It should be clean, organized, and have a friendly and welcoming staff.
Cost and Payment Plans:
Orthodontic treatment can be expensive, so inquire about the cost upfront. Ask about payment plans or financing options to make it more affordable.
Emergency Care and Follow-Up:
Understand the orthodontist's policies for handling emergencies or unexpected issues during your treatment. Also, ask about the follow-up appointments required for your treatment.
Trust Your Instincts:
Ultimately, trust your instincts. Choose an orthodontist with whom you feel comfortable and confident in their ability to provide the care you need.
Remember that orthodontic treatment can span several months or even years, so it's crucial to find an orthodontist who not only has the necessary expertise but also makes you feel at ease throughout the process. Taking the time to research and choose the right orthodontist can lead to a successful and satisfying treatment outcome.
I had metal braces as a child and waited 30+ years before deciding to invest in my teeth again with Invisalign. As I reflect on my Invisalign process, I have found myself asking the question, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?”. If I would have known what I know now I would have done Invisalign sooner.
I have realized 3 things about Invisalign as an adult:
INVISALIGN IS EASIER THAN I THOUGHT
I think one of the things that kept me from doing Invisalign for so many years was thinking it would be an inconvenience to my lifestyle. Anytime we make a change it takes some getting used to. After a few weeks or a month of getting down the routine of Invisalign it has become very easy to integrate into my daily routine. I also thought it would be a big time investment with a lot of appointments to the orthodontist every few weeks. I have only needed check ups at the orthodontist about every 6 weeks. It really requires very little time investment. Invisalign is much easier than I thought.
INVISALIGN MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE
Three decades had passed from the time I got out of braces as a teen to when I chose to do Invisailgn. I had become accustomed to the way my smile looked and the way my teeth and jaw felt because the changes that had happened over time were gradual. Although my smile wasn’t perfect, for a long time I didn’t think it was bad enough to do something about.
What I didn’t know was the difference that Invisalign can make is way beyond just the look of your teeth. Yes, it will change the look of your teeth but it can also have a great impact on your bite, teeth alignment, chewing, jaw muscles and overall health of your mouth. Over the process of Invisalign, I experienced how great the positive changes could be and how much better my mouth could feel. The first changes were in the look of my teeth as my teeth began to spread out and become less crowded. Then, I began to notice changes in the alignment of my jaw. Once the jaw had become aligned, I began to notice less tension in my jaw muscles and more ease with chewing. Because the changes in my mouth were gradual over time I didn’t realize how much better my teeth and jaw could feel once they were in more optimal alignment. Invisalign really makes a big difference.
INVISALIGN IS A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT
As a physical therapist and pilates instructor, I have always valued the time and energy I put into the health and fitness of my body. I believe that any worthwhile results require work and effort. If I want to get a lifetime of health out of my teeth it was time to start investing in them. A 9 month to year course of Invisalign has proven to be a very worthwhile investment for the future of my teeth.
Have you looked in the mirror and noticed that with time your smile has slowly started to change? Maybe your teeth have begun to shift or maybe you have noticed changes in your bite or jawline. These are just a few of the reasons that caused me to start thinking, “Should I consider braces again as an adult?” Here are my top 5 reasons I chose to get Invisalign:
1) STRAIGHTEN TEETH
I had braces as a child and did not follow through with wearing my retainers. Over the years I have noticed a slow, progressive shifting of my teeth, much worse on the bottom teeth than the top. The first sign that I began to notice was overcrowding of my bottom teeth and specifically one tooth on the bottom that started tilting inward significantly. Parts of the tooth and gum were exposed in a way I knew was not normal. I realized that if I didn’t do something to stop the progression now my teeth would continue worsen.
2) ALIGN JAW
Have you begun to notice tension in the muscles around your jaw? Have you noticed that you tend to chew more often on one side of your mouth? This might be an indicator that your jaw has become misaligned. As my teeth have shifted this has also affected my jaw alignment. My bottom teeth began to narrow and the mandible, or the bottom jaw began to recede. I also began to notice some irregularity with the TMJ joint from side to side as I opened my mouth. One side of the temporomandibular joint was more prominent than the other when opening and closing my mouth with some intermittent clicking. These changes happen fairly slowly over years or even decades so it is easy to let things go unnoticed.
3) COSMETIC
I work with people closely everyday and want to have a professional smile helping me to feel the most confident I can. It was important to me to maintain a professional look while I am in braces. With invisalign, I am able to continue my work without interruption and many people do not even know that I have braces. As my treatment progresses I am starting to see more of my bottom teeth in my smile as my bottom teeth become less crowded and overall a bigger, brighter smile.
4) PERIODONTAL HEALTH
Due to the overcrowding and shifting it has become more difficult to keep my teeth clean with brushing and flossing. At regular cleanings I was noticing more plaque building up between my teeth despite consistent efforts on my part to keep my teeth clean. Since beginning Invisalign I have noticed that I am able to floss easier in between my teeth and I don’t get as much build up between my teeth.
5) ALLEVIATE NECK AND JAW DISCOMFORT
With the changes that have occurred in my teeth and jaw, I have occasional neck or jaw pain that I want to correct with the help of braces. Getting invisalign to help improve my bite and jaw alignment will relieve strain on my temporomandibular joint that can contribute to headaches, neck pain or jaw pain. In my early stages of treatment I am already beginning to feel that my teeth come together better, my teeth are less crowded and I am chewing more evenly.
Choosing invisalign over metal braces allows me to be correcting my teeth while still having the freedom to take off my braces. It also allows me to have no restrictions on foods that I eat and the ability to keep my teeth and gums cleaner than with metal braces. I never have to worry about dental emergencies from wires coming out or brackets falling off. I am so happy to be on my way to a straighter, healthier smile with the ease Invisalign offers.
This time of year is exciting for all dental professionals because it is the time that "top dentists" releases the list of the best dentists in the USA. Every orthodontist hopes to be on the list, but it is very selective and competitive and only the top in their field get this coveted distinction. When Dr Holt opened his mail today he was thrilled to see those satisfying words . . . Congratulations! You have been named the top Orthodontist for Colorado. You may wonder how this list gets compiled, so here is a little history on that subject. And you can feel proud and satisfied that your orthodontist was selected to this elite group.
The top Dentists selection began in January 2007. They set out to identify and recognize the best dentists and dental specialists. The list is unique because dental professionals choose who they believe is the best in the industry.
topDentists has refined their selection process and uses the input of several prominent dentists in the United States, to help select the topDentists. Because dentists must be voted in strictly by their peers, every dentist is given an opportunity to participate, and listings cannot be purchased (and no payment is required to be listed), inclusion in topDentists is considered to be a distinct honor. Each year they highlight, general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, Pediatric dentistry, endodontics and periodontics.
Finding the right dentist or orthodontist is important. Asking friends or using a referral service can be helpful, but beware, some referral services require dentists to pay for their listings and any dentist can pay for one. Dr. Holt is honored to again be chosen as a topDentist in Orthodontics.
