Orthodontist Near Me in Baraboo

Searching for an orthodontist practice near your home in Baraboo, WI, can sometimes be a little overwhelming. Every dentist may claim to be the “best,” but you can’t always take their word for it. It would be best if you found an orthodontist that will take the time to listen to and cater to your needs. So how do you find the best orthodontist in Baraboo for your family? Read our tips to know you are on the right path.

What is an Orthodontist?

Each orthodontist completes the exact same educational program as a general dentist. Afterward, they continue with an additional two to three years of specialized dental care training and residency work in orthodontics.

A dentist’s primary focus is diagnosing and treating the mouth, including teeth, gums, and tongue, and cosmetic dentistry procedures. An orthodontist focuses on creating personalized treatment plans to align your teeth and jaws.

An orthodontist diagnoses and treats irregularities with the teeth and jaws. They examine x-rays and use other methods to predict oral problems that could eventually happen. Doing this allows them to recommend treatments to correct issues before they occur.

Orthodontists begin working with children as young as six years old. Many baby teeth have fallen by this age, and adult teeth are erupting through the gums. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends children see an orthodontist before their seventh birthday. Still, not every kid will require early treatment.

Orthodontists use various oral appliances, including traditional braces, Invisalign, retainers, and palatal expanders, to create beautiful smiles. They can treat:

Crooked teeth
Crowded teeth
Jaw alignment
Overbite
Underbite

The ultimate goal is to align a patient’s bite to ensure their teeth remain straight along the jaw to help them chew and speak correctly.

Evaluate Certifications and Memberships

Most orthodontic professionals will have association memberships and awards listed on their websites. These might include The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) and American Dental Association (ADA) member badges.

Regarding Invisalign Align Technology, providers are rated on a tiered scale. The ratings signify the number of patients that have completed treatment successfully. A good thing to remember is that ratings renew yearly, so an orthodontist must consistently meet the high standards.

Invisalign ratings start at a Bronze level (0 points) and work up to Diamond+ (200,000 points). Each point awarded is for every completed treatment.

The rating can also combine with additional ratings, such as the Platinum Elite provider. It means that 60 patients were treated successfully that year, but the orthodontist has treated 800+ overall.