Can I Change My Orthodontist Mid-Treatment?
A crooked smile can cause more than embarrassment. Misaligned teeth can cause pain and make it more difficult to properly clean the teeth. Fortunately, orthodontics can transform the smile, creating beautifully straight teeth, correcting alignment issues, and improving oral health.
Ideally, patients will stay with one orthodontist for the duration of their orthodontic treatment, but sometimes situations arise in which it may be necessary to change orthodontists. If you’ve been faced with a situation where you need to change orthodontists, you may be asking yourself “can I change orthodontists mid-treatment?”
The simple answer is yes! Edmonton, AB, dentist Nathaniel Podilsky and his team help patients transition their orthodontic care and can help you if you need to change orthodontists.
Can I Switch Orthodontists?
Yes, it is totally acceptable to change orthodontists mid-treatment. Edmonton patients change orthodontists all the time and for many reasons.
If a patient wants or needs to change their orthodontist mid-treatment, it shouldn’t be a problem to find a new orthodontist who can continue their treatment and help them achieve their desired results.
Why Change Orthodontists?
There are many reasons someone may want to see a different orthodontist. Orthodontists understand that patients may need to seek treatment elsewhere so patients should never feel embarrassed or guilty for seeking a new orthodontist mid-treatment.
Some reasons a patient may decide to go elsewhere for orthodontic treatment include:
- Their orthodontist’s office hours conflict with the patient’s schedule
- Moving to a new city and no longer able to see their old orthodontist
- Their orthodontist is closing or selling their practice
- Their orthodontist is retiring
- They’re unhappy with their orthodontist for whatever reason
What to Consider When Switching Orthodontists
Whatever the reason for changing orthodontists, there are several things to consider to help make the transition as easy as possible.
- Find an orthodontist to fit your needs: When looking for a new orthodontist, it’s important to find one that fits your needs. For example, you may want to look for an orthodontist who offers the orthodontic treatment you’re undergoing, has office hours that fit your schedule, and one that accepts your dental insurance. Consider looking up online reviews for orthodontists, as well as asking friends, family, or coworkers for recommendations.
- Take care of financial obligations: Patients will need to pay for the portion of the treatment they received from their former orthodontist. They should also discuss the costs of completing treatment with their new orthodontist based on the portion of the remaining orthodontic treatment.
- Transfer dental records: Finally, patients must have their dental records transferred to their new orthodontist. Dental records help the new orthodontist understand the patient’s treatment plan and how to proceed with treatment, but must be requested by the patient or they will not be transferred.
Let Us Help You Continue Your Orthodontic Treatment
It’s completely acceptable to change orthodontists mid-treatment. If you’re looking for a new orthodontist to continue your treatment, please call our Edmonton office at (780) 428-6846 or contact us online to find out how we can help you achieve your desired results.