The important thing about a great pediatric orthodontist is that they’ll take the best care of your child. Especially when it comes to the healthy smile that they deserve throughout childhood and into adulthood. If your child needs a pediatric orthodontist, you’ll want to be on the lookout for these six characteristics. This way, you’ll have an easier decision on your hands when it comes to choosing the right orthodontist who can offer the best possible solutions.

Your child’s dentist may have referrals available or you may want to find the best orthodontist on your own. Either way, it’s important to spot the following characteristics using this guide. Let’s get started.

1. Specialization Matters

The key characteristic to look for in a pediatric orthodontist is obvious. While a general orthodontist focuses on all ages, one who focuses on children and teens will most likely be your best option. A specialized orthodontist will have knowledge of the treatment approaches, orthodontic conditions, and many other aspects pertaining to the needs of children and teens. As such, they will provide a more laser-focused approach to address your child’s orthodontic issues as opposed to a general approach.

A pediatric orthodontist in NJ will understand your child’s needs and will outline a specific treatment plan. There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach as every pediatric orthodontic needs are different.

2. An Environment That Is Child-Friendly

A general orthodontist office might not be as friendly to children. It may seem a little bit intimidating. As such, a pediatric orthodontist will be able to create an environment that is inviting and welcoming for their patients. These include but are not limited to activities that will keep kids engaged, decor that is colorful and enjoyable for kids, and more. A child will be at ease if they are put in the right environment, especially when it comes to visiting an orthodontist that will take care of their needs for a healthier smile.

Children in need of braces near Glassboro, NJ can be able to get the treatment they need in a child-friendly environment. If they are comfortable in the right environment, they will never dread going to an orthodontist appointment from the time when treatment begins until the end of it.

3. Strong Communication Skills

Every relationship requires strong communication skills. Such apply to an orthodontist and their patients. A pediatric orthodontist who provides braces in South Jersey has specialized communication abilities that will benefit both children and their parents. This will also be important for every treatment plan to be a success.

As such, a pediatric orthodontist and their patients should communicate accordingly. The reason for this is to determine how well the treatment is going. At the same time, the orthodontist can use communication from patients to consider what adjustments might need to be made with the treatment itself. A patient or their parents may complain about discomfort and the orthodontist can be able to pinpoint the problem where necessary.

4. Customized Treatment Plans

As mentioned earlier, no general treatment plan is a solution for every orthodontic children or teens might have. A pediatric orthodontist knows that treatment plans aimed at patients of their age will be much different than a general orthodontist has. With this in mind, they can create a custom treatment plan that will be based on a child’s specific needs and growth patterns.

These can range from minor orthodontic issues where Invisalign can be a good option to conditions where only braces can be the best option for a child. Either way, an orthodontist will create a custom treatment for that patient and only them.

5. Positive Reviews and Reputation

Today’s digitally advanced world allows us to perform our due diligence a little bit easier. Aside from word-of-mouth, online reviews can also be a good factor in deciding which pediatric orthodontist will be the best for your child. Be sure to carefully look through each review and pay more attention to the ones with more detail. It will paint a picture of what your experience may be like in the future.

Yes, you should also look through any negative reviews as well. Any repeated patterns or instances should be noted as well. More negative reviews over positive ones should be enough of a red flag to avoid and move on to the next option that may be available in your local area. Nevertheless, it is always a good idea to consider both reviews as well as people you might know that have been past patients.

The reason for this is that sometimes the reviews might not be what they seem. Some may even leave fake reviews (be it positive or negative) and could be farther from the real truth.

6. Patience and Empathy

A pediatric orthodontist that is excellent is someone who is patient and empathetic. They know this because they deal with many children who are nervous or uncooperative during their appointment. They can easily approach such situations and be able to understand how the child is feeling. Coupling this with the strong communication skills that we’ve mentioned earlier, a pediatric orthodontist will be able to make every appointment successful even if the child is uncooperative at the outset.

Bear in mind that anyone who deals with pediatric patients should have this patience and empathy. Anything less and they might not be the best option for your child at all. This is not just applicable to orthodontics, but also dentistry and general healthcare as well.

Final Thought

A pediatric orthodontist can be excellent for your child when it comes to a tailor-made treatment plan, a kid-friendly environment, and someone who is patient, empathetic, and can be an excellent communicator for their patients and their parents. At Centerton Orthodontics, we are a compassionate and caring team where we hold professionalism in a high regard. We have orthodontists that understand a child’s pediatric needs and will provide them with the solution that is the perfect fit for you. If you have any questions or need to schedule a consultation, call our office today at 856-358-6800.