How Do I Find a Good Orthodontist in Darien?

Choosing the best orthodontist in Darien can be a challenging and stressful process; that is why the doctors and experienced team at Westwalk Orthodontics want to help you.

Here are some tips you should consider when choosing an orthodontist practice to trust with your oral health and that of your loved ones. Here at Westwalk Orthodontic Group, we want you to know that we have one simple goal – to make sure every patient receives the very best orthodontic care available.

We want our patients to feel at home and welcomed in our offices, even amidst our cutting-edge technology. Every member of our team is committed to your care, comfort, and safety.

What Is Orthodontics?

The American Dental Association (ADA) describes orthodontia or orthodontics as an area of dentistry that prevents, diagnoses, and treats dental and facial irregularities. As a specialty, it focuses on the prevention and correction of mal-positioned teeth and misaligned bite patterns. It may also address the modification of facial growth, known as dentofacial orthopedics.

Now that we know what orthodontics actually involves, let’s take a look at why it is so important and why it’s a crucial part of your health.

Why Is Orthodontics Important?

Contrary to popular belief, orthodontics is not merely just for cosmetic reasons. Orthodontic treatment is important to establish a proper bite and a proper alignment of the teeth.

Orthodontic treatment can improve your dental function, ability to clean the teeth, longevity, and esthetics. In addition, remember that your mouth is the doorway to the rest of your body.
Hence, we can ensure that a healthy mouth promotes a healthy body. Poor oral health may contribute to a variety of health issues that go far beyond your mouth.

This includes diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and even complications for pregnant women. Bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream, the lungs, and your stomach, in turn affecting your entire immune system.

Now that you know the basics about what orthodontics is and why it is so important for your overall health, let’s dig in deeper and find out exactly how an orthodontist differs from a general dentist. Join us to find out how to choose the best orthodontist Darien can offer.

What Is The Difference Between An Orthodontist And A Dentist?

While most of us might think there isn’t a big difference between an orthodontist and a dentist, that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s a fact that both an orthodontist and a dentist work within the same area of study and provide patients with a similar service regarding oral care. However, there are some big differences between the two.

For starters, education, to become an orthodontist must first become a dentist, and then, they have to complete a further three-year postgraduate course at Masters or Doctorate. The knowledge and skills handled by a dentist will also be held by an orthodontist. However, this may not be the case the other way round. Meaning a dentist might not know everything an orthodontist does.

Some typical treatments performed by dentists include gum disease, tooth decay, teeth whitening, root canals, bridges, veneers, and crowns.

However, it is safe to think of orthodontists as dentists specializing in teeth alignment using orthodontic devices such as braces. Orthodontists fix dental issues by providing treatments that help with: misaligned and crowded teeth, gapped teeth, underbites, overbites, TMD disorders, jaw issues, and premature loss of the baby teeth, among other issues.

How Do I Find The Best Orthodontist Near Me?

Because the Orthodontist you choose will ultimately be responsible for the cosmetic portion of your appearance and your overall oral health, which can later affect other aspects of your health, you must consider a couple of points before choosing an orthodontic practice.

It is normal to feel concerned while making this decision for yourself or for your family, so it is important that you consider the following:

Experience and Education

The amount of experience and education the orthodontist you choose has can make a big difference in how long your treatment lasts and how satisfied you are with the results at the end of treatment.

Convenience

If you are looking for an orthodontic practice that can treat you and your family, you might need to consider where their office is. If you have small children or young adults in your family, you might be better off choosing a Westport orthodontist with a practice close to your home or to your child’s school.

Office Environment

Orthodontics, as a word alone, can sound harsh and scary. There’s no need to think about actually sitting in the orthodontic chair, so make sure that when choosing an orthodontist in Darien, you look for an office environment that is bright, colorful, friendly, inviting, and welcoming.

Consultation Availability

Work, school, hobbies, sports, family gatherings, and even work engagements can get in the way of making it to your medical appointments. So if you or a family member has many activities, consider an orthodontic practice that is open until 6PM or maybe even has Weekend appointments available.

Types of Treatments Offered

With technological advances, there are many different braces types to choose from. They all come with their benefits, so it is very important to consider what types of treatments your orthodontist offers. This can save you from going to an initial consultation and only then find out that a treatment option you prefer is not available.

Cost of Treatment

In orthodontics, the cost of treatment will vary based on many different factors. The severity of your dental issues, genetics, and the type of braces you choose will all play a determining factor in the final cost of your treatment. So it’s always a good idea to consider an orthodontist that may offer financing options or payment plans.

Reputation of Orthodontist

Reputation is important no matter what medical professional you are considering. As a patient, you need to feel safe and comfortable, so ask friends or family about their recommendations on orthodontists they currently use or have used in the past. Ask about the treatment they received and their experience with the orthodontist. There are also many resources, such as the American Association of Orthodontists website, you can use to find an orthodontist in your area.

Come To the Right Orthodontist in Darien

Now that you have all of the information needed to choose the best orthodontist in Darien, the Drs. and experienced team at Westwalk Orthodontic Group would like to invite you to call and schedule an appointment with us so you can experience the Westwalk difference yourself. We look forward to meeting you.