Cosmetic dentistry can be vulnerable and intimate. After all, how often do you allow other people to root around inside of your mouth? You shouldn’t take choosing a dental health provider lightly, and that includes choosing a local Invisalign provider.
You may have seen services online boasting teeth straightening without a single office visit. After all, most people feel a lot better knowing that a human being is involved when it comes to rearranging the bones of their face! Choosing Invisalign dentists is the first step toward feeling confident about your smile.
But how do you decide who deserves the honor of helping you to achieve straight and beautiful teeth? Read on to learn about seven factors you should be considering when looking at your options for dentists. If your choice of Invisalign provider doesn’t make you smile, then these tips will help you find a professional who will!
1. Start With Friends and Family
One of the best benefits of Invisalign is that it’s essentially invisible. You might not even realize how many of your friends and family members have undergone treatment in your area! Those who haven’t may have children, relatives, or friends who have experience with your local providers.
Reach out to those you know to see which providers they personally recommend. You will be able to see proof of their solid work in three dimensions! Make sure to ask any questions you have about the patient experience because your friends and family will always offer honest answers.
2. Look Online for Good (And Bad) Reviews
After going to the people you know, you might want to investigate reviews from those you don’t know. Reading online reviews is a great way to get a sense of the best and worst aspects of a dental or orthodontic practice. Look at both positive and negative reviews to get the best sense of the pros and cons.
Remember that patients usually leave reviews when they are especially happy or unhappy with a service. The reviews may swing on the extreme ends. With that in mind, look for a provider who has reviews, as a lot of silence on the subject might indicate a so-so experience.
3. Consider Costs
The cost of Invisalign treatment is a major factor for most individuals. Be aware that some dental insurance will cover Invisalign treatments from certain providers. You may want to seek this information out before you go in for your first consultation.
Costs for treatment do vary based on the provider. Remember that when you pay more, you are likely also paying for the entire experience of being a patient at that office. If your office has a fancy water cooler, the most up-to-date technology, and flatscreen TVs in every exam room, treatment may be worth the upcharge!
Many dental providers offer payment plans, too. Do your research to determine the most affordable option.
4. Is the Provider Experienced?
This may seem obvious, but it is worth it to reach out and ask how long a local provider has offered Invisalign treatments. It’s no longer a brand new technology, and these days many cosmetic dentists have years of successful experience. Just because it’s called a “dental practice” doesn’t mean you need to allow a new Invisalign provider to “practice” on your teeth!
5. Smiles Matter in the Smile Business
Although you will see the dentist during appointments, you’ll probably spend considerably more time dealing with the office staff. You’ll speak with them on the phone, interact with them in the waiting room, and all monetary transactions will go through them. If you’re not satisfied with the customer service at the office, you might not have a great overall experience.
You can gauge this when you call to schedule your consultation. Do they take their time answering your questions politely and completely? Is it impossible to get an appointment because they’re overbooked and stressed?
Happy staff leads to happier patients. If something seems off about the attitudes in the office, you may want to find a friendlier place to fix your smile. If they smile back, even better!
6. How Are They in an Emergency?
While Invisalign is pretty straightforward as far as cosmetic dentistry goes, emergencies still happen. You never know when your aligners might get flushed down the toilet! If something does happen, you want to know that you will have access to help efficiently.
Is there a way to contact the office during off-hours? Will someone be available if something goes wrong during a holiday? Make sure you understand what to do and who to contact if you have an emergency during the course of your Invisalign treatment.
7. Certified to Fix Your Smile
This may be an obvious one, but even the most charismatic person might be lacking certifications or credentials. A successful course of Invisalign requires an experienced practitioner trained in orthodontic interventions. Speak to the professional about what makes them qualified to sort out your smile.
Have a look at some of the credentials that you should be asking about. This will prevent unfortunate surprises down the line!
The Clear Guide to Choosing Invisalign Dentists
Would you be hasty when it comes to choosing someone to date? If not, you really should take your time and consider these factors when it comes to choosing Invisalign dentists. Your dentist and your date will both be spending a lot of time inspecting your mouth, so it’s important to start both relationships with trust!
Did this article put a smile on your face? Hopefully, you used these tips and it’s a brand new straight, beautiful smile! Check out the rest of the blog for more posts that will help you to look and feel your best!
