Questions to Ask When Choosing An Orthodontist
Choosing the right orthodontist for your family might seem overwhelming. To help make the process easier, we’ve compiled a list of questions to ask when choosing an orthodontist. Our orthodontists have been in business for 30 years and are known as the best orthodontists in Temecula and Lake Elsinore–all over Southern California. The purpose of these questions is to help families identify an orthodontist that:
- Is qualified and trained in orthodontic treatment
- Uses the latest technology
- Offers flexible payment options
- Assists with insurance
- Has a great reputation
- Treats patients of all ages
Throughout this article, we highlight questions to ask, discuss why these questions are important, and share how Burke & Redford Orthodontists meets all the requirements for being the best orthodontists in the Temecula and the Inland Empire.
Do They Have Specialized Training As An Orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who received two to three years of specialized training in orthodontics at a university-affiliated program approved by the American Dental Association. After receiving their orthodontic certificate, they can go one step further and become board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics.
Because of their specialized residency focusing on orthodontics, orthodontists are trained to:
- Correct malocclusions (bad bites) of all types
- Align teeth, including overcrowded, gap, and crooked teeth
- Address alignment issues of the teeth and jaws
When choosing an orthodontist, make sure they have received specialized training in orthodontics and are a member of the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO). Also, ask if they are board-certified or pursuing board eligibility. Many dental offices offer orthodontic services (such as braces and Invisalign) without having the additional years of specialized training that an orthodontist receives.
Both Dr. Redford and Dr. Burke have the education, training, and certifications required to be orthodontists—including board eligibility and certification. Together, they have 30+ years of combined experience providing high-quality orthodontic treatment, with offices located in Temecula and Lake Elsinore, California.
Do They Use The Latest Orthodontic Technology and Treatments?
Technological advances mean that a modern orthodontic office is very different from the orthodontic offices of the past. This means fewer goopy impressions, uncomfortable x-rays, or traditional metal braces. Instead, modern orthodontic offices offer advanced technology such as:
- Planmeca ProMax 3D—a low dose radiation x-ray system that provides 3D imaging.
- iTero Element—a 3D digital scanner that produces accurate and precise digital impressions for creating Invisalign aligners, retainers, and other orthodontic appliances.
- Accelerated orthodontic devices—such as the Propel Chairside Excellerator and AcceleDent, which speed up orthodontic treatment for patients wearing Invisalign or braces.
In addition, a modern orthodontic office offers patients a wide range of treatment options—including Invisalign, self-ligating braces (such as the Damon braces system), lingual braces, and a variety of functional appliances to address specific orthodontic needs. Patients should also have a choice between metal and clear or ceramic braces, depending on their wants and needs.
Dr. Redford and Dr. Burke offer patients the highest level of orthodontic care by investing in the best and most advanced equipment available. In addition, the doctors and clinical staff members at Burke & Redford Orthodontists receive ongoing continuing education. This includes advanced training on all of the equipment used in the office. In addition, both doctors supplement their education via seminars, workshops, and reviews of orthodontic literature. Many of our staff members have nearly 20 years of clinical experience – we pride ourselves on being an experienced group of professionals.
Do They Offer A Free Consultation?
Selecting an orthodontist is a big decision. That’s why potential patients should receive a free consultation before making any financial commitment. This consultation should include a clinical examination and a discussion of possible treatment options, including costs.
At this consultation, the orthodontist may suggest delaying treatment until a patient’s mouth has matured. In this case, patients should be given the option to return for no-charge periodic check-ups to monitor growth and development. The goal should always be to begin treatment at the most favorable time.
The free consultation should include experiencing the office atmosphere in a relaxed way, as well as an opportunity to meet one of the doctors and some staff members. Patients should feel completely comfortable with the doctors, staff, office environment, treatment plan, and financial costs before beginning treatment. The initial free consultation should also include information on what is included with treatment, such as retainers and appointments (including emergency appointments).
Burke & Redford Orthodontists offers a free, no-obligation consultation to potential patients. The goal of this consultation is to help families get to know our practice and have all their questions answered. We are confident that this consultation will be the first step toward shaping a beautiful smile.
Do They Offer Flexible Payment Options?
Paying for orthodontic treatment shouldn’t be a financial burden. An orthodontist’s office should offer a variety of flexible payment options so that orthodontic treatment is based on a patient’s needs—not solely on cost.
During your free consultation, all questions about the financial aspects of treatment should be discussed, including what is included, how much it will cost, and options for payment. This way, there are no surprises once treatment begins.
At Burke & Redford Orthodontists, we offer a variety of flexible payment options to suit different budgets. These include:
- Discounts when payment is made in full at the start of treatment
- Family discounts
- Discounts for military personnel (via Tricare Coverage)
- Low or no down payment option
- 0% interest payment plans spread out over months
- Payment via Visa®, Mastercard® or Discover®
We also work with families to maximize their insurance benefits and flexible spending account options.
Do They File With Your Insurance?
Figuring out how to maximize insurance benefits for orthodontic treatment can be confusing. A well-run orthodontist’s office usually has expert staff members who are well-versed in coordinating insurance benefits, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and third-party financing.
The office staff will perform a complimentary benefits check with a patient’s insurance provider to see how insurance benefits will affect the overall cost of treatment. Being able to maximize these benefits is the key to creating an affordable treatment plan. Our office will process and file claims on our patient’s behalf.
At Burke & Redford Orthodontists, we accept assignment of benefit from most PPO insurance plans and file the necessary paperwork with your insurance company. We are a premier provider for Delta Dental, Metlife, and United Concordia. We DO NOT accept HMO/managed care plans or Medi-Cal. Our office manager, Dixie, is an insurance specialist with 20+ years of experience in insurance billing. She is an expert at maximizing insurance benefits and making orthodontic treatment more affordable.
Do They Have A Good Reputation?
Although a personal referral from your general dentist/family/friend is still the gold standard for selecting a service provider today, many consumers rely on online reviews and ratings when choosing an orthodontist.
Burke & Redford Orthodontists is committed to providing the highest quality orthodontic care. This commitment is illustrated by the hundreds of five-star reviews on Google, Yelp, and Facebook. We encourage potential patients to check out what our patients have to say about us. In fact, we’ve made it easy to do this by linking to online reviews of our practice on the home page of our website.
Do They Treat Adults?
More adults are seeking orthodontic treatment than ever before, thanks to technological advances such as Invisalign. Adults now comprise almost 25% of the patients at most orthodontic practices.
However, adults often face more complex issues than children or teens, whose mouths are still developing. Therefore, it is critical to choose an orthodontic practice that treats patients of all ages—from young children who require interceptive orthodontics to adults who finally want to correct a long-neglected problem with their smile or bite.
Dr. Redford and Dr. Burke welcome patients of all ages to our practice. We’ve achieved fantastic results with our adult patients, and we look forward to helping more adults get the smile they’ve always dreamed about.
To schedule a free consultation with Burke & Redford Orthodontists and find out why they are the best orthodontists in Temecula and Lake Elsinore, call our office at (951) 699-8011 or fill out the appointment form on our website.