What Families Should Know Before Choosing an Orthodontist
The orthodontist you pick shapes your diagnosis, your total time in treatment, and your final result. Training, appliance options, and how a fee is quoted all matter. This guide walks you through what to look for, what to ask, and when to get started.
What an Orthodontist Is (and How They Differ From a General Dentist)
An orthodontist is a dental specialist: after dental school, they complete two to three more years of residency training devoted only to tooth movement, bite alignment, and jaw relationships. General dentists care for the whole mouth. Orthodontists like Dr. Nick Ward spend every working day moving teeth and guiding bites.
Plenty of general dentists now offer aligners, and simple cases can go well. The difference shows up with complicated bites, growing kids, relapse after old braces, and jaw joint concerns (TMD/TMJD). Those cases need someone who studies growth patterns and appliance mechanics full time.
At Ward Orthodontics, Dr. Nick Ward treats patients of all ages, from a first age-7 screening to adult retreatment years after braces came off.
One more distinction worth understanding: board certification is voluntary. Every orthodontist completed residency, but only about one-third choose to sit for the American Board of Orthodontics exams. Dr. Ward is a board-certified orthodontist (ABO) and a member of the ADA, AAO, TAO, and TDA. That’s a documented quality signal you can verify yourself.
How the Selection Process Works: From First Search to First Appointment
Choosing an orthodontist comes down to five steps: check board certification, confirm the office treats your case type, book a free consult, review the records and written custom plan, then compare fees and scheduling. Most families finish all five in a week or two, and second opinions are welcome along the way.
- Verify training and board certification. Look for completed orthodontic residency, board-certified status through the ABO, and current memberships in the AAO and state groups like the TAO.
- Confirm your case type is a fit. Ask directly: do you treat young children, teens in growth spurts, adults, and jaw joint concerns? Some offices focus narrowly.
- Book a free consult. A no-cost or virtual consult lets you compare recommendations without committing. Ward Orthodontics offers both, with a HIPAA transparency disclosure for virtual visits.
- Review the diagnostic workup. Good planning starts with records: photos, digital scans or impressions, and imaging. You should leave with a written personalized treatment plan, not a verbal estimate.
- Compare logistics and money. Total fee, in-house payment plans, how often you’ll come in, office hours, and drive time all belong in the decision.
Getting a second opinion is normal, and nobody should take it personally. Two orthodontists can propose different approaches for the same bite. Hearing both explanations usually makes the right choice obvious.
Benefits of Choosing the Right Orthodontist the First Time
The upside of getting this decision right shows up years later, long after the brackets come off or the last aligner goes in the drawer.
What Do You Gain From an Accurate Diagnosis?
A correct read on the bite is the foundation for everything that follows. When the starting picture is right, the mechanics are right, and families spend less time backtracking. It also spares your family from paying for movement that was never needed.
- Accurate diagnosis up front. A correct read on the bite prevents unnecessary treatment now and relapse later.
- A plan built around your bite. Offices that offer metal braces, clear braces, aligners, and growth appliances can match the plan to you instead of to their inventory.
- Well-timed care for kids. Guiding jaw growth at the right age can reduce the odds of extractions or surgery down the road.
How Does the Right Choice Affect Your Time in Treatment?
Months matter, and so does who is watching the details at each visit. A specialist who plans the full sequence up front usually keeps the schedule tight and the surprises few. Fewer emergency visits, fewer repeated impressions, and a finish line you can actually count on.
- Shorter time in treatment. Specialist-led planning often trims months off the total, because the mechanics are right from the start.
- One orthodontist, start to finish. No handoffs halfway through, no re-explaining your history. You get confidence from day one to done.
- Function, not just looks. A corrected bite supports chewing, clearer speech, airway health, and long-term jaw comfort.
Comparing Your Treatment Options: Metal Braces, Clear Braces, and Clear Aligners
Three main options handle the vast majority of cases. The best one depends on your bite, your age, and how you live.
| Metal Braces | Clear Braces | Clear Aligners | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Most noticeable | Tooth-colored, barely-there appearance | Nearly invisible |
| Case complexity | Handles the most complex bites | Handles most cases | Best for mild to moderate cases |
| Compliance needed | Low (fixed in place) | Low (fixed in place) | High (20-22 hours daily wear) |
| Hygiene | Brush and floss around brackets | Brush and floss around brackets | Remove to eat and clean |
| Food restrictions | Some | Some | None |
| Typical duration | 12-24 months | 12-24 months | 12-24 months, varies with wear time |
Metal braces are the most versatile tool we have. Modern brackets are smaller and fit better than the ones you remember. Strong smiles start with metal, especially for complex bites and growing kids.
Clear braces give you fixed-appliance control with tooth-colored esthetics. Popular with teens and working adults who want results without hardware stealing the show.
Clear aligners are removable, comfortable, and nearly invisible. Dr. Ward uses Angel Aligners for teens and adults, and Ward Orthodontics is a certified Angel Aligner provider. The trade-off is discipline: they only work while they’re in.
Here’s a question worth asking at any office. Is this recommendation based on my bite, or is it the one system this office uses for everyone? A good answer explains the reasoning behind the choice.
What Actually Drives Orthodontic Cost
Orthodontic cost comes down to four things: how complex your bite is, how many months you’re in treatment, which appliance you choose, and whether records and retainers are included in the quoted fee. Two people can walk into the same office and leave with very different numbers, and that’s normal.
| Cost Driver | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Case complexity | A crossbite with crowding takes more planning and more visits than minor spacing |
| Months in treatment | Longer treatment means more visits, more chair time, and more adjustments along the way |
| Appliance type | Metal, clear braces, and aligners carry different lab and material costs |
| Extra appliances | A 3D-printed rapid palatal expander, TADs, or a habit appliance adds to the total |
| Retention | Retainers and follow-up care may be bundled into your fee or billed separately |
| Records and imaging | Some offices include the full diagnostic workup; others bill it apart |
A few money items to sort out before you sign anything:
- Insurance orthodontic lifetime maximums. Orthodontic benefits usually cap at a lifetime dollar amount per person, separate from your annual dental maximum.
- FSA and HSA dollars. Orthodontic treatment is generally an eligible expense, which can stretch your budget.
- In-house payment plans. Ward Orthodontics offers fair-priced in-house payment plans so the monthly number fits real life.
Ask for one all-inclusive written quote covering records, all visits, retainers, and follow-up care. Then compare apples to apples. Be cautious with plans quoted per visit, since the total can drift upward as treatment continues.
Is Your Family Ready for an Orthodontic Evaluation?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic screening at the first sign of an issue, or no later than age 7. At that age, enough permanent teeth have come in for Dr. Ward to spot developing bite problems while jaw growth is still on your side.
Signs to watch in kids:
- Crowded or crooked teeth, or noticeable gaps
- Baby teeth lost unusually early or hanging on late
- Trouble chewing or biting food
- Speech that seems affected by tooth position
Bite signs at any age:
- Overbite, underbite, or crossbite
- Open bite, where front teeth don’t touch
- Upper and lower teeth that don’t meet evenly
Airway and habit signs:
- Mouth breathing during the day or night
- Snoring or restless sleep
- Thumb sucking or tongue thrusting past the toddler years
Signs adults shouldn’t ignore:
- Teeth shifting or crowding that wasn’t there before
- Relapse years after braces (very common without retainer wear)
- Jaw soreness, clicking, popping, or recurring headaches linked to TMD/TMJD
An early visit often ends with monitoring rather than treatment. That’s a win. Dr. Ward can track growth, check back periodically, and start only when the timing gives your child the best result. That’s building healthy smiles from the start.
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing an Orthodontist
What is the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist who offers aligners?
An orthodontist completed two to three years of residency training beyond dental school, focused only on moving teeth and correcting bites. A general dentist may offer aligners as one service among many. For straightforward alignment, both can help. For complex bites, growth guidance in children, or jaw joint concerns, a specialist’s training makes a real difference.
At what age should my child first see an orthodontist?
By age 7, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, or sooner if you notice crowding, an uneven bite, or difficulty chewing. Enough permanent teeth have arrived by then for Dr. Ward to identify developing issues. Most first visits lead to monitoring, not braces.
Do I need a referral from my dentist?
No. You can schedule directly with an orthodontist without a referral. Many families come in after their dentist mentions something, and many others simply call on their own. If you have dental insurance, it’s still smart to check your plan’s orthodontic benefit details.
How long does orthodontic treatment usually take?
Most cases run 12 to 24 months, though simple corrections can finish faster and complex bites take longer. Your total depends on how far the teeth need to travel, your age, and how well you keep up with wear time and visits. Dr. Ward gives you a realistic estimate at your free consult, in writing.
Is it worth getting a second opinion?
Often, yes. Two orthodontists may recommend different appliances or timelines for the same bite, and comparing the reasoning helps you choose with confidence. A second opinion also reveals how each office quotes fees, includes retainers, and schedules visits. Nobody should discourage you from asking.
Can adults still get braces or clear aligners?
Absolutely. Healthy teeth and gums move at any age, and adults make up a growing share of orthodontic patients. Clear braces and clear aligners are popular with adults who want a barely-there look during treatment. Many adults come in for relapse after childhood braces, jaw discomfort, or teeth that have shifted over the years.
