Have you been thinking about braces or how you can improve the appearance of your smile? No matter how minor your concern, it’s best to find an Orthodontist and get some advice to see if treatment is right for you. But who’s the best Orthodontist in Sydney to go with?

Just like a GP or physio, your Orthodontist is a health professional who you’ll be seeing regularly over the next few months, should you decide to undergo treatment. That means it’s important for you to track down one that you like, who’s accessible, approachable and puts you at ease.

Ready to make that first step towards a better smile? Here’s some points to consider when it’s time to find an Orthodontist that’s right for you.

Location

With advances in modern braces, patients have many more options than they used to in terms of correcting their teeth — including new 'invisible' treatments such as Invisalign ^® and lingual braces.

Whichever option you choose, you'll need to return to the clinic every few weeks throughout the duration of your treatment. This is necessary in order for your Orthodontist to make tiny adjustments to your braces and to make sure everything’s on track for your beautiful new smile.

While these appointments will only be brief, they could be a hassle if you live far away. So choose an Orthodontist that's not only close to you, but convenient to get to. If you drive, check to make sure parking is available at or nearby the Orthodontist’s clinic; if not, look at how accessible and frequent your public transport options will be.

At the clinic

If you walk into a Orthodontic clinic and find a waiting room packed with frustrated patients and agitated kids, consider it a bad sign. After all; just because good restaurants tend to have people lining up for hours to get in doesn't mean the same holds true for healthcare. On the contrary, an overcrowded waiting room often reflects a business prone to overbooking, hurrying patients or poor time management.

Instead, look for an Orthodontist who takes the time to explain your treatment to you and is available to answer your questions, without you feeling rushed. A professional will know how to manage their own — and their patients' — time without forcing you to sit around, wasting your day in the waiting room.

If you work during office hours or have school-age children, be sure to check the clinic's opening hours. Look for one that fits in with your lifestyle and work patterns so that time off work (or school) can be kept to a minimum. Your clinic’s opening hours are also handy to keep in mind in case your braces get damaged (for instance, a snagged wire or break to the brackets), and you're in need of urgent repairs.

Referrals and recommendations

If you’re unsure of how to locate nearby Orthodontists, ask your dentist for someone they can recommend. But remember: no referral is required to book an appointment with an Orthodontist, so there’s no need to see the dentist first if you prefer not to.

Many new patients ask family and friends (who have had Orthodontic treatment in the past) for their own personal recommendations. In the digital age we live in, this can be as simple as putting a callout on social media for suggestions!

Finally, if you’re still struggling to find an Orthodontist, you can search the Australian Society of Orthodontists directory for ones available near you.

Check their credentials

While some dentists carry out Orthodontic procedures, it doesn’t mean they are a qualified Orthodontic specialist. You can tell if an Orthodontist is fully accredited because they will:

• Have completed an Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registered general dental degree
• Have a minimum of 2 years experience as a dentist
• Have completed a 3-year university degree in Orthodontics
• Be registered as an Orthodontic Specialist in Australia.

One way of confirming the registration of your Orthodontist is by searching for their details on the Australian health practitioner registry. You can do this by contacting AHPRA on 1300 419 495.

What services do they offer?

Not all Orthodontists provide the same services, and some are more experienced in certain techniques than others. For instance: in order to provide patients with the option of modern Invisalign braces, an Orthodontist will need to go through specific training (beyond what’s required to become a registered Orthodontist). Some Orthodontists may not have undertaken this training, and specialise in different treatments instead.

You might also consider the amount of general experience an Orthodontist has when making your decision — especially in severe cases involving the structure of the teeth and jaw, where significant work (such as jaw surgery) will be required. Ask to see some before and after pictures of former patients to get an idea of the work they do every day.

Warning: watch out for any practitioner who claims to offer cheap, rapid Orthodontic braces. Creating perfect, confident smiles takes some time and investment, and should always be carried out by a fully qualified Orthodontic specialist. Unusually fast treatments (such as taking braces off too early) are likely to lead to unsatisfactory results, or worse — could cause damage to your health.

Nobody likes visiting the dentist, and to be honest, taking a trip to see your Orthodontist is often no different. However, you can make the experience easier on yourself by choosing an Orthodontist that’s friendly, positive and makes you feel good when you walk into their clinic.

At Inner West Orthodontics, we make sure our patients feel comfortable coming in to visit from day one. Book now for a consultation at our Inner West Sydney clinic, and start your journey towards a beautiful smile ― we’d be delighted to meet you.