When you’re looking to get orthodontic treatment, finding the right orthodontist is the best place to start. Orthodontic treatment can take up to three years to complete, so choosing an orthodontist that listens to your needs and takes your goals into account is an essential part of your straight smile journey. If you’re starting your search, be sure to use Mahlmann & Borders Orthodontics’ list of questions to ask when choosing an orthodontist to help make your decision.
Ask: What should I expect from treatment?
Orthodontic treatment is a unique process intended to match the needs of every individual, so if you want to get an idea of what you should expect from your time spent with braces, you should ask your orthodontic specialist several questions. For example, how long do they expect treatment to last? How often are follow-up visits? Who will be overseeing your care?
Dr. Mahlmann and Dr. Borders take the time to meet personally with each patient to ensure that all of their questions are answered. While treatment duration depends on a number of different factors, you can expect to meet with your orthodontist every 6-12 weeks for a follow-up appointment.
Ask: What are my treatment options?
Knowing which treatment options the orthodontist specializes in is a critical factor in deciding on the practice you want to work with. Getting a straight smile and a perfect bite is a lengthy process that sometimes requires years of work. Because of the duration of the process, you should carefully consider the methods that would become available to you at the orthodontic office in question before you commit to working with them.
Mahlmann & Borders Orthodontics offers three orthodontic treatment options for all ages, including:
Invisalign: If you want a straighter, more attractive smile but don’t want the hassle of traditional braces, Dr. Mahlmann and Dr. Borders offer two clear aligner options that work for every need: Invisalign and 3M Clarity aligners. These treatment options can help you achieve the gorgeous smile you have always wanted without the metal wires and brackets of conventional braces.
Metal Braces: This treatment method is excellent for patients with moderate to severe orthodontic issues. With a system of brackets and wires, these braces straighten your teeth by applying constant, gentle pressure. They’re a more traditional option that ensures your treatment runs smoothly and effectively.
Clear Braces: Clear braces work the same way as metal braces. The difference is that clear braces use white ceramic brackets that blend in with the color of your teeth and provide a less noticeable appearance.
Ask: What is your educational background?
All orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. Shifting your teeth in line is an extensive process that requires years of training beyond dental school, so when you’re choosing an orthodontist to work with, you need to be sure they’ve graduated from a 2-3 year orthodontic residency program.
To become an orthodontist, your doctor must get an undergraduate degree, attend dental school, and participate in a residency program. During dental school, they’ll learn the basics of general dentistry, including treating your teeth with crowns, preventing tooth decay, and extracting teeth.
As in-depth as dental school is, however, orthodontists need several years of additional education to be able to move your teeth. The average orthodontist spends between ten and eleven years learning about jaw growth and tooth development. During their residency, an orthodontist in training will work alongside other orthodontists to learn valuable skills that a general dentist won’t necessarily have, including:
- Biomechanical techniques to move the teeth properly
- Growth and maturation of the teeth and jaws
- How to change the development of the dental alveolar complex and facial growth of younger patients
Like in any other medical field, you’ll want to work with a specialist to treat conditions like bite problems or crowding. You wouldn’t go to your general practitioner for surgery, right? When it comes to restructuring your jawline or altering your teeth, you’ll need to visit an orthodontic specialist with the training to back up their work.
Dr. Mahlmann and Dr. Borders are highly-trained orthodontists with years of experience to back up their education. For straight smiles with exceptional care, Mahlmann & Borders Orthodontics is the right place for you.
Ask: Do you offer a free consultation?
Moving forward with an orthodontic treatment plan is an exciting step toward a brighter smile – but it is also an important financial decision. A free consultation takes the pressure off of your decision and allows you to focus on the health of your smile and the facts of the practice without distraction.
We trust our services at Mahlmann & Borders Orthodontics and want to make sure you feel the same. We offer a free consultation so that you can speak with one of our experienced orthodontists without any obligation to pay for our services unless you decide to move forward with treatment. This is our way of showing that we are invested in you.
Ask: What financing and insurance options do you offer?
Your smile is an investment, and you deserve to understand the financial commitment that comes with it. Before moving forward, ask your treatment coordinator about financing options, payment plans, and insurance policies.
At Mahlmann & Borders Orthodontics, we want to make it as easy as possible for you to receive the best orthodontic care whenever you need it. Our practice accepts most major credit cards and insurance policies, and we offer flexible payment plans and automatic bank drafts for your convenience. Our goal is to provide outstanding value for a reasonable price. Treatment fees vary depending on the complexity of your treatment plan, but our team is here to work with you every step of the way so you can afford the beautiful smile you deserve.
Here to Make You Smile
If you’re looking for the orthodontist that’s right for you, look no further! At Mahlmann & Borders Orthodontics, our entire team treats patients of all ages the way we’d like to be treated: with respect, professionalism, and sensitivity. We’re dedicated to making your braces and clear aligner experience enjoyable every time you visit Dr. Mahlmann and Dr. Borders in Richmond.