Posted on 03/31/2022

How to Find the Best Orthodontist for Your Child

Choosing an orthodontist for your child is an important decision. Orthodontic treatment may last several months or even a few years, so you are not simply choosing where your child will get braces. You are choosing a doctor and team your family will visit regularly throughout an important stage of your child’s development.

The best orthodontist should have the training and experience to provide excellent care, but qualifications are only part of the decision. You should also consider how the orthodontist communicates, whether your child feels comfortable in the office, the available treatment options, the cost, and the overall experience your family can expect.

Here are the most important things to consider when selecting an orthodontist for your child.

Start With an Orthodontic Specialist

Dentists and orthodontists both attend dental school, but orthodontists complete additional specialty training focused on diagnosing and correcting problems involving the teeth, bite, and jaws.

Because straightening teeth and correcting a bite can be complex, parents should look for a qualified orthodontic specialist rather than choosing a provider based only on convenience or price.

You can verify an orthodontist’s professional background, ask whether the doctor is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, and review the doctor’s education, specialty training, and experience treating children and teenagers.

Membership in the American Association of Orthodontists is limited to orthodontists who have completed an accredited orthodontic residency after dental school.

When Should Your Child First See an Orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive their first orthodontic evaluation no later than age seven.

At this age, children usually have a combination of baby and permanent teeth. This allows an orthodontist to evaluate how the permanent teeth are emerging and how the jaws and bite are developing.

An evaluation at age seven does not mean your child will immediately need braces.

In fact, many children do not require treatment until more of their permanent teeth have appeared. After the first evaluation, the orthodontist may simply recommend monitoring your child’s development through periodic observation appointments.

The purpose of an early evaluation is to identify problems before they become more difficult to correct.

When Is Early Orthodontic Treatment Necessary?

Some children may benefit from treatment while their jaws are still developing. This is often called early treatment, interceptive treatment, or Phase One treatment.

Early treatment may be recommended for concerns such as:

Significant crowding

Crossbites

Underbites

Protruding front teeth

Difficulty biting or chewing

Harmful oral habits

Jaw growth problems

Permanent teeth that are not emerging properly

Early treatment is not necessary for every child. A trustworthy orthodontist should be able to explain why treatment is recommended, what it is expected to accomplish, and what could happen if it is delayed.

For many children, the best recommendation is simply to wait and continue monitoring growth.

Does Your Child Feel Comfortable?

Your child will be the person wearing the braces, aligners, expander, or other appliance. Their comfort with the orthodontist and team matters.

During the initial consultation, notice how the doctor and staff interact with your child.

Do they speak directly to your child rather than only talking to the parent? Do they explain procedures in language your child can understand? Do they listen patiently to questions and concerns?

Children are more likely to cooperate with brushing, elastic wear, aligner wear, and food restrictions when they understand what is happening and feel involved in their treatment.

The office should feel welcoming, organized, and supportive rather than rushed or intimidating.

What Treatment Options Are Available?

Children and teenagers may have several possible treatment options depending on their orthodontic needs.

These may include:

Traditional metal braces

Clear or ceramic braces

Clear aligners

Palatal expanders

Retainers

Other growth-guidance or bite-correction appliances

No single treatment option is best for every child.

Braces are fixed to the teeth and work continuously, making them a predictable choice for many patients. Clear aligners are removable and less noticeable, but they must be worn consistently to work properly.

Aligners may not be appropriate for every orthodontic problem. The orthodontist should recommend treatment based on your child’s teeth, bite, development, lifestyle, and ability to follow instructions—not simply on which appliance is most popular.

The American Association of Orthodontists notes that braces, aligners, or a combination of treatments may be recommended depending on the patient’s individual needs.

Ask Who Will Be Providing the Treatment

Parents should understand who will examine their child, develop the treatment plan, and monitor progress.

Ask whether the same orthodontist will oversee treatment from beginning to end. In a larger practice, your child may occasionally see another doctor, but you should know who is ultimately responsible for treatment decisions.

You may also want to ask:

How often will my child see the orthodontist?

Who handles emergency appointments?

How are treatment changes explained?

How can I contact the office with questions?

Will I receive progress updates?

Clear communication is especially important when treatment lasts for an extended period.

Review the Orthodontist’s Reputation

Online reviews can provide helpful insight into how an orthodontic office treats patients and families.

Do not focus only on the total number of stars. Read the comments and look for consistent themes involving:

Friendliness

Communication

Appointment scheduling

Treatment results

Cleanliness

Responsiveness

Billing practices

How the team works with nervous children

Recommendations from your family dentist, dental hygienist, pediatric dentist, friends, relatives, or other parents can also be valuable.

However, every child’s orthodontic needs are different. A recommendation is a good starting point, but an in-person consultation will help you determine whether the practice is the right fit for your family.

Ask About Technology

Modern orthodontic technology can make diagnosis, treatment planning, and appointments more comfortable and efficient.

For example, digital intraoral scanners can create a detailed model of your child’s teeth without the traditional trays of impression material that many patients find uncomfortable.

Three-dimensional imaging, digital treatment planning, and 3D printing may also be used to help create aligners, retainers, and other orthodontic appliances.

Technology alone should not determine your decision. The orthodontist’s judgment and experience remain the most important factors. However, updated technology can improve the patient experience and give the orthodontist more useful information when planning treatment.

Understand the Cost of Treatment

The cost of children’s orthodontic treatment varies because every case is different.

Treatment fees may depend on:

The complexity of the orthodontic problem

The type of appliance selected

The estimated length of treatment

Whether early treatment is required

Insurance benefits

Whether retainers are included

The number of follow-up appointments needed

A lower price does not always represent a better value, and a higher price does not automatically guarantee better treatment.

Ask for a written explanation of the total fee and what it includes. You should also ask about payment plans, down payments, insurance processing, financing options, retainers, emergency visits, and possible additional fees.

The financial coordinator should be willing to answer your questions clearly without pressuring you to begin treatment immediately.

Questions to Ask During the Consultation

A quality orthodontic consultation should give you enough information to make a confident decision.

Consider asking:

What orthodontic problems do you see?

Does my child need treatment now, or can we wait?

What could happen if we delay treatment?

Which treatment options would work for my child?

Why are you recommending this particular option?

How long is treatment expected to take?

How often will appointments be scheduled?

What responsibilities will my child have at home?

What happens if a bracket breaks or an aligner is lost?

What is included in the total treatment fee?

Will retainers be included after treatment?

The orthodontist should explain the diagnosis and recommendations in a way that makes sense to both you and your child.

Be Cautious of Pressure and Promises

You should never feel pressured to begin orthodontic treatment before you understand the recommendation.

Be cautious when a provider promises an exact result, guarantees that treatment will be completed unusually quickly, or recommends treatment without clearly explaining the orthodontic problem.

Treatment times are estimates. Teeth and jaws do not respond exactly the same way in every patient, and cooperation with appointments, oral hygiene, elastics, and aligner wear can affect progress.

A trustworthy orthodontist will provide a realistic treatment plan while acknowledging that adjustments may occasionally be necessary.

Convenience Matters—but It Should Not Be the Only Factor

Orthodontic treatment requires regular appointments, so the office location and schedule should be practical for your family.

Consider:

Distance from home or school

Appointment availability

Before-school or after-school hours

Emergency availability

Parking

Whether the practice has multiple locations

Convenience is valuable, but it should not outweigh the orthodontist’s qualifications, communication, and treatment approach.

Trust Your Instincts

After the consultation, ask yourself:

Did the orthodontist listen to us?

Were our questions answered clearly?

Did my child feel comfortable?

Was the treatment recommendation explained?

Did the office feel organized and welcoming?

Were the costs presented clearly?

Do we feel confident placing our child’s care in this team’s hands?

The right orthodontic office should make both you and your child feel informed, respected, and supported.

Schedule a Complimentary Orthodontic Evaluation

At Tollgate Orthodontics, we understand that choosing orthodontic care for your child is a significant decision.

Our team takes the time to evaluate your child’s teeth and bite, explain what we see, and discuss whether treatment is needed now or later. We offer braces and clear aligner options based on each patient’s individual orthodontic needs.

If your child is approaching age seven or you have concerns about crowding, spacing, tooth eruption, or the way the teeth fit together, schedule a complimentary evaluation with Tollgate Orthodontics.

There is no obligation to begin treatment. The goal of the first visit is to give your family the information needed to make the right decision at the right time.