Limestone Hills Orthodontics

How to Find the Best Orthodontist Near Me?

Are you just starting out your orthodontics process towards a perfect smile and wondering how to find the best orthodontist in Austin TX or anywhere else? Austin offers multiple orthodontic services and a large practice philosophy variety, making it a challenging task to pick the right one for you. What may be more important for your best smile, may not be for the best smile for everyone.

So, how do you find the best fit? In a nutshell, focus on service quality, high involvement of the actual doctor, staff expertise, a well-functioning dedicated team and a treatment plan specifically tailored for the finances, main concerns and financial restrictions of the patient.

A free consultation is always nice. Are they more focused on children, kids, teens or adults? Did you feel forced, nervous and pushed or got all the answers you needed in the time allotted for you during your consultation?

Let’s delve deeper into these elements and more, so you can make an informed choice and observe if there are enough wonderful things to perhaps even develop enough confidence to get started in the same day of your free consultation!

Why Seek the Best Orthodontist in Austin Near You – Orthodontic Care Matters

Before we dive into the how-to, it’s important to recognize the value of quality orthodontic treatment.

A great smile isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s also about oral health. Misaligned teeth and bite can contribute to issues like difficulty in cleaning, gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems.

Aesthetics of smile is also a big concern, since it’s closely tied to health. It’s been shown that there is a natural selection bias in all aspects of life towards better looking people. All those aspects make your choice of an orthodontic practice or dentist a critical one for your best facial appearance and smile.

Check Qualifications and Reviews

We’re in the age of information, and the qualifications of orthodontists are more transparent than ever. Any reputable clinic should list their orthodontists‘ credentials openly. To find the best orthodontist in Austin, look for board-certified professionals with a proven track record as clinicians, academicians and innovators.

Award winning Professor PhD orthodontists in Austin TX like Dr. Rodrigo F. Viecilli are rare, and these doctors are trained to move teeth and have a deeper understanding of the biomechanics and genetics of tooth movement.

Check on PUBMED, the database of peer reviewed publications, if your contender for best orthodontist in Austin has any. Does he have faculty appointments? How often they are invited to lecture and teach?

Google them to see their experience, past inventions and patents and accomplishments and awards and if their area of research can actually help your treatment goals.

Is your contender for best orthodontist in Austin the owner of the practice and the only one that will treat you? Is it a side office, private practice, family, where the orthodontist often puts all of his effort in the name of his family business, or a corporation where orthodontists change often, which can lead to longer treatment times?

Besides official qualifications, patient reviews are essential. Platforms like Google Reviews and Facebook offer unbiased opinions from people who have undergone treatment, making you a bit more confident that you will have a good experience.

These insights are invaluable for gauging service quality, clinic hygiene, and overall patient satisfaction.

Ask for Recommendations

Although online reviews are helpful, personal recommendations also serve to give you some level of trust. Consult friends, family, and colleagues, especially those who’ve recently undergone orthodontic treatment. However, they will often recommend whoever they went to. 

Chances are, you will get a recommendation of a popular and busy orthodontist with a practice that has been running for a long time. Is that the best orthodontist in Austin for you? Can they provide you with more personalized care? Do they perform the consultation themselves or assign 90% of it to someone that is not even a dentist? Perhaps you could do better. Is there professionalism- why choose this provider if he doesn’t have time even to talk to you much? How can you make sure all your treatment needs are met if you are not communicating with the Doctor himself? How much time did he spend looking at your case?

You can also ask your general dentist for recommendations; they often have valuable insights on who the best orthodontist in Austin is. But be careful and do your own research, some opinions can be biased and based on fear of losing you for their Invisalign treatment (they are less trained than orthodontists) or perhaps favor exchanges, or simply habit to refer to a friend or someone famous.

Therefore, doing your own research, and visiting a few offices, see how busy and efficient they are, if the doctor himself really has time to discuss with you and make you feel safe that you trust your treatment during your consultation is critical.

Visit the Clinic

Online research is imperative, but it’s no substitute for an in-person visit. A physical tour helps you assess the clinic’s ambiance, cleanliness, and the technology they use.

The most important aspect of the entire treatment is the diagnosis and development of the treatment plan- how long the doctor listens to your needs and examines and discusses your exams with you. 

Do not call orthodontic clinics simply asking for price. It is not very informative, not a good way to start a relationship, and will probably either get you caught by an unethical clinic or take you to a random direction that is not in your best interest.

You are purchasing orthodontic treatment for your smile- it is a lot more complex and involves a lot more uncertainties than a simple product purchase if you want the best outcome.

You will have to visit the orthodontic clinic anyway. So, after some research, I recommend you compare at least 2 consultations.

Clinics with 3D radiographic information (CT Scans) like ours could lead to more complete and accurate information about treating the patient’s condition in many cases. We have often caught issues that could have caused damage to the dentition with a treatment plan based on 2D data. It’s common, especially in the early treatment of the mixed dentition of children and later treatment of adults.

i-CAT Flex Cone-beam CT-Scan
Out i-Cat Flex CT scan costs as much as a Porsche and was a huge investment we did to provide the most accurate airway and 3d position diagnosis to our patients.

Our i-Cat Flex CT scan costs as much as a Porsche and was a huge investment we did to provide the most accurate airway and 3d position diagnosis to our patients.

Few doctors are able to provide a full 3d evaluation as the 3D CT equipment is very expensive.

Interact with the staff, as their warm behavior often reflects the overall ethos of the clinic. Are they attentive, knowledgeable, and open to answering your questions? Are they busy and still trying to do the best to provide you, family and child with a good experience?

How much time did the actual doctor spend with you? Were they clear with you about the differences of accepting insurance, being in network with insurance and out of network, and what these imply for your pocket? These are all good indicators of a trustworthy service provider.

Compare Costs

Orthodontic procedures can be expensive, often requiring long-term commitments. Costs can differ widely between clinics, but don’t make your choice based solely on price. Lower costs can sometimes mean lower quality or hidden charges. 

Payment Plans

Given that orthodontic treatments can be costly, check if the clinic offers flexible braces payment plans. This flexibility can be a lifesaver, especially if you’re on a tight budget. We offer long payment plans with no interest financing and zero credit check through our practice management and financial management software Orthominds.

The Insurance Game

Usually, more experienced orthodontists are out of network with most insurances, because they don’t need to reduce their fees to get patients (being in network means you are forced to reduce your fee to be listed in their website, out of network can accept your insurance but not be listed).

In general, inexperienced orthodontists out of school open their practice and are often in network with all insurances, even low paying HMOs. It’s all a tradeoff.

However, sometimes experienced orthodontists open new practices and become in network to attract new patients. This is the case of Limestone Hills Orthodontics. Dr. Viecilli was treating thousands of patients, teaching and doing research in two renowned Universities, but his decision to settle in Austin is recent. Therefore, we are in network with almost all PPO insurances, which could give you a good discount and the best deal you can get of experience and price.

Get a detailed breakdown of what the cost includes—braces, aligners, follow-up appointments, etc.— what’s included and not, so you can make a fair comparison. A general rule of thumb is to always prefer clinics that offer transparent Zero Interest Financing and Insurance options. 

Treatment Options

Medical science is always evolving, and braces and orthodontic care is no exception. From traditional metal braces to self-ligating clear braces (they don’t stain because you don’t need to change the small o-tie elastics), clear aligners, like Invisalign, and other more generic clear aligner brands, orthodontics treatment options are expanding that could all lead the path to achieve a beautiful smile.

We have Clear Braces in Austin do not Stain
Our GC Orthodontic mini experience are the smallest ceramic brackets in the world and do not stain!

Location and Convenience

Austin is a big city, and a clinic that’s more than an hour away might not be ideal for frequent visits. Additionally, check the clinic’s operating hours. Do they align with your schedule? Do they provide emergency services when they are not open? Is there an extra cost?

Convenience should be a crucial factor in your decision-making process. Limestone Hills Orthodontics is the one of the only (if not the only) private practice that offers a SATURDAY as an option for busy professionals to make an appointment. We also currently offer free consultations and late day emergency appointments 5:30pm-6:30pm. The doctor will be there for you.

Distance

Distance should not be a huge factor in your decision, probably the lowest. We have found practices in poorer neighborhoods that charge 40% more than us and are 20 miles away. Choose a practice within 17 miles of your home that is flexible with their late appointment policy. We rarely leave a patient unseen, but we may have to limit the amount of the procedure planned if the patient is very late especially at the end of the day when the practice is very busy.

Initial Consultation

Most established clinics offer a free or low-cost initial consultation. This meeting is an opportunity for you to understand the treatments available, estimated costs, and timelines. It also provides patients with a chance to gauge the orthodontist’s communication skills and professional bedside manner.

Things to Ask Your Orthodontist 

Finally settled on an orthodontic practice? Now’s when you get to ask the important questions.

While consultations can be taken over call, it’s always a good idea to go in person. The only way you can get a feel of the experience is if you visit the office and get a good look around it. Make sure to get a feel for the environment and get to know the staff. 

Remember kids, this is your chance to ask the orthodontist any important questions you may have. Feel free to inquire about their payment plans and the recommended treatment. No need to stress – the right orthodontist is there to support you.

Make sure you grasp everything before you begin to finalize your decision. While it’s important to trust your doctor, take your time to carefully consider your various treatment options before settling on your orthodontist.

Limestone Hills Orthodontics – Your Best Choice in Austin

While Austin has numerous orthodontist clinics, Limestone Hills Orthodontics stands out as an exceptional choice. Our board-certified orthodontist team has, if not the top, the most accomplished CV in Austin, lectured regularly around the world and the US.

He has over 30 book chapters and peer reviewed publications in the best Orthodontic Journal in the world, being twice in the cover… With glowing reviews and a comprehensive range of treatment options, we cater to all your orthodontic needs. 

The clinic offers free initial consultations, allowing you to explore your options without financial risk. Conveniently located and offering flexible appointment times, Limestone Hills Orthodontics sets the gold standard for orthodontic care in Austin

Schedule a free orthodontic consultation today and take the first step towards a perfect smile.