A Note from Dr. Chung
My team and I at Smile Solutions Orthodontics firmly believe that a patient’s comfort and health are paramount to everything else. We also realize that what is right for one patient isn’t necessarily the best choice for another. If you are currently searching for an orthodontist for yourself, your child, or another loved one, I hope these “The Top 10 Things You Should Know Before Choosing Your Orthodontist” help you to identify your own priorities and questions to ask a potential new doctor.
The authority and expertise that Smiles Solutions Orthodontics provides are significant benefits of our practice, but what really sets us apart from other northeast New Jersey orthodontic offices is our passion for helping people. We provide our patients not only with reliable and top-quality orthodontics but also with exceptional and honest care in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
In writing this report, I considered the advice I would give my own family if they lived too far for me to treat them myself. The questions I recommend asking here are the ten most important characteristics to look for in a new orthodontist. When you find an orthodontic office that can provide everything I’ve listed here, then you have likely found a care provider who can help you obtain your healthiest smile without straining your budget or causing you unnecessary discomfort. We are here for you!
Top 10 Things You Should Know Before Choosing Your Orthodontist
At Smile Solutions Orthodontics we understand that there is much to consider when choosing an orthodontist. In fact, I’m sure I could have doubled the length of this report! I’m confident, though, that this information will help you choose the right orthodontist for your needs.
1. Do They Have Extensive Experience?
When it comes to the health and aesthetics of your smile, having experience is key. Some questions to ask a potential orthodontist include how long they have been practicing, how many patients they have helped, and whether their experience includes providing a variety of treatments instead of simply the same one over and over. You should also consider whether they attend continuing education courses to stay up-to-date with modern advancements in the dental health care field.
Also, keep in mind that while all orthodontists are dentists, not all dentists are orthodontists. In fact, only 6% of dentists have undergone the years of extra training required to become an orthodontist. To be sure your orthodontist is indeed the specialist you’re seeking, look for the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) seal.
At Smile Solutions Orthodontics, we have transformed more than 12,000 patients’ lives and smiles since 2000 in northeast New Jersey through a wide variety of orthodontic treatments. Extensive experience allows us to provide expert, professional care that matches each patient’s unique needs.
2. Do They Provide a Free New Patient Exam?
Most orthodontists offer free examinations for new patients so that you and your family can get expert advice about treatment needs, options, and timing before making this important investment. During your first exam and consultation, be sure your questions are being answered, concerns addressed, and you are being educated about all your treatment options. The orthodontist should also include digital photos during the exam at no charge.
3. Are They Award-Winning?
When you’re considering a potential orthodontist, ask if he or she has been awarded recognition for skill, expertise, or exceptional customer service. When a reputable organization or magazine takes the time to highlight a particular orthodontic office over all other providers, this signals that your orthodontist is one of the best in the area.
Ideally, you should find an orthodontist with a longstanding and excellent reputation. Using the Internet today, it is easy to see ratings and reviews from actual patients. Simply go to Google, and search for orthodontist ratings and reviews within your community.
At Smile Solutions, our core purpose is to ensure your comfort and happiness from the moment you walk through our doors. We are proud to announce that our efforts to provide the best orthodontic care possible have been recognized by our peers and we have received awards such as being voted best New Jersey Top Dentist.
4. Do They Use Advanced Technology?
Technology plays an important role in orthodontics and is essential for diagnostics, efficient treatment, number of visits, comfort, and accuracy. Incredible advances have been made in recent years, too. This is why it’s important to find out whether your potential orthodontist uses the latest technology for your benefit.
Here at Smile Solutions Orthodontics, we employ numerous state-of-the-art technologies to ensure that our patients can enjoy treatments that are more comfortable, more efficient, and free of unnecessary complications.
5. Are They Highly Rated Online?
While word of mouth is still important, the internet has a lot of different review websites and membership associations that businesses can be a part of to ensure their reputation is a good one. Many businesses are working harder than ever to keep their customers happy because bad reviews are never good.
Here at Smile Solutions Orthodontics, we are thrilled to say that our experienced team and office have consistently received 5-star reviews on HealthGrades, Google, Yelp, and Facebook from happy, satisfied patients.
6. Do They Offer Virtually No Wait Times?
Everyone is busy these days and the last thing you need is to end up waiting 20-30 minutes at the orthodontist’s office, disrupting your schedule for the rest of the day. Having to wait usually means the office overbooked their appointments, rather than implementing flexibility in their schedule.
In your search for an orthodontist, ask if they offer flexible hours and short wait times. With today’s technology and hectic, fast-paced world, any successful practice needs to run efficiently. Not doing so will leave patients feeling anxious, put off, and unappreciated.
Here at Smile Solutions Orthodontics, we place great value on your time. We know you have a million other things to do and that your time is precious. We excel in patient care and that includes ensuring we don’t overlap appointments or double book. We offer convenient appointment times and keep them running on time, so you will experience virtually no wait times. That is
our promise to you.
7. Do They Offer Same-Day Appointments & Starts?
Some orthodontic offices make you wait weeks or even months before you can be seen for your initial appointment. When you make the decision to explore your orthodontic treatment options, having to wait that long can be a hassle. The time you must wait for your first appointment can also be an indication of how available your doctor will be if any problems or emergencies arise during your or your loved one’s treatment. Avoid all these issues by opting for an orthodontic office with an accessible schedule and reasonable wait times for appointments.
At Smile Solutions Orthodontics, we are pleased to offer same-day appointments for new patients. That means if you wish, you can be seen for an evaluation on the same day that you call us! In addition, we also provide the option to begin treatment on the same day as your initial evaluation. By offering same-day appointments, we put your scheduling needs ahead of our own – and by offering same-day treatment starts, we save you money by eliminating the cost of a second appointment!
8. Do They Offer Saturday or Evening Appointments?
Our weekday lives are filled with work, school, sports, extracurricular activities, homework, networking, errands, and more. Is it any wonder why so many people put off seeing their orthodontist because they can’t find the time during the week? And these days, missing school or taking off work often means falling behind with homework or having to make up for lost time by working on weekends.
In your search for the right orthodontist, be sure to ask about their appointment hours. Are they flexible enough to offer weekend hours, knowing that weekday schedules are usually very full? If not, it might be in your best interest to keep looking around for an orthodontist who keeps their patients’ busy schedules in mind, rather than their own.
9. Are They Trusted And Recommended By Dentists?
There is probably no greater compliment than a referral by someone associated with your industry. When local dentists in the area recommend a particular orthodontist over all others, they are staking their own reputations on that recommendation. That is why a recommendation by dentists is one of the highest accolades an orthodontic office can receive.
Therefore, when you are looking for an orthodontist, take the time to find out whether a particular doctor gets many referrals from local dentists. You can ask the potential orthodontist’s office directly when you speak with them, or you can look up reviews online to find out what other dental professionals are saying about a particular doctor.
Our orthodontists at Smile Solutions Orthodontics frequently meet new patients who have been referred by their family dentist. Our reputation for quality treatment, state-of-the-art technology, and a patient-focused, friendly, welcoming atmosphere has made Dr. Chung, Dr. Epshteyn, and Smile Solutions Orthodontics an easy choice for dentist referrals. Request a free consultation today to see how we can help you!
“I have been referring my patients and my family members to Dr. Chung for more than 10 years. Both my patients and I have been more than pleased with the skilled care and judgment he and his staff show with all their treatment. I feel that he is the area’s best orthodontist.”
— Dr. Matthew Horn (General Dentist – Union, NJ)
10. Do They Offer Flexible Financing?
Once you have chosen an orthodontist you are comfortable with and know which orthodontist you want to treat you or your child, the next questions will be: “How much is this going to cost and how am I going to pay for this?”
Smile Solutions Orthodontics understands that cost can be a big issue when it comes to braces and orthodontic treatment. We want to make treatment easy and affordable for you or your loved one once you walk through the doors of our office. That’s why our fees are comparable for metal braces, clear braces, or Invisalign®. Our prices are comprehensive with no hidden fees and no additional charges down the road.
We offer flexible payment options including in-house financing at 0% interest and extended payment plans with low down payments to make it easier for you to afford the treatment you or your family members need.
We proudly accept most insurance plans and we’ll even handle the insurance verification and submission to maximize insurance benefit payments and minimize your out-of-pocket charge. If you don’t have insurance, we will work with you to give you the most affordable fee for your budget.
