A straight smile may look great, but it has a lot more health benefits than you might think. Did you know you can eat better, sleep better, and even speak better with straight teeth? Straight teeth have more physical health benefits than most people think, but they also provide self-confidence and self-esteem that can benefit your mental and emotional health as well. The
You got your braces, and you’re on your way to the smile you’ve always wanted. Then…you have to move. What do you do? Can you change orthodontists when you already have braces? Can you switch dentists with braces? Do you have to commute cross-country just to get your dream smile? Will you have your braces on for the rest of your life if you can’t? Don’t worry — you can definitely switch orthodontists! In our profession, we understand that patients may have to move during treatment. They may also not see eye-to-eye with their doctor, or perhaps they just have too many scheduling conflicts to make it work. Whatever the reason, it is possible to transfer an orthodontic patient during treatment.
At Zombek Orthodontics, we welcome all patients, whether they’re new or changing orthodontists during braces, Lightforce braces, or Invisalign treatment. We will work with your previous orthodontist to get the information we need, and we’ll build a new plan that works best for you.
Change isn’t always easy, but as doctors, we are here to make changes as easy as possible. You need to take certain steps for a smooth transfer from one orthodontist's office to another. The first step is the most important — choosing your new orthodontist. If you’re moving to south Florida or are already in the Hollywood, FL, or Weston, FL, area, we’d love for you to choose us!
Once the choice is made, you’ll want to talk to your current doctor, if you feel comfortable. If you’re moving away from the area, they might be able to assist you in finding a new orthodontist. Most orthodontists would be happy to do anything for you, including arranging a transfer.
How do you choose your new orthodontist? There are several options available to you. If you know people in your target area, you can start with recommendations from them. That will at least give you an idea of where to begin. Research the office in your target area using resources such as the Better Business Bureau, the local Chamber of Commerce, Google reviews, Facebook groups, or even your dentist if you’re staying in the area. If you’re not staying in the area, can you switch dentists with braces, or can you switch dentists during Invisalign? Of course! You can find a dentist in a similar fashion to finding your new orthodontist.
The American Academy of Orthodontists (AAO) offers patients an orthodontic transfer form that makes it easier to move from one orthodontist to another during treatment. The form will keep track of the status of your current treatment. It will also provide dental records, a list of orthodontic appliances you may have, your financial information and arrangement, and other pertinent information. You can fill out the form online with a PDF filler.
Once you’ve chosen the orthodontist you’d like, and perhaps a few backups, you’ll want to schedule a consultation to check out your potential new doctor. If you’re moving to the Hollywood or Weston, FL, areas, you can start with Zombek Orthodontics by initiating a virtual consult from your desktop, laptop, or even your mobile phone! You’ll want to let the new office know you’re in the middle of treatment and want to transfer to their office. That way, they’ll know to start working on your transfer right away. As orthodontists, we know that your goal is to get your dream smile in as little time as possible. We don’t want there to be any unnecessary delays in your transfer process, so the sooner we know about it, the better.
The consultation at the new office is essential, but it can also be a little intimidating. Will this team meet my needs thoroughly? Will they be able to offer the same treatment? Can another dentist remove my braces? Is it a good idea to be moving in the middle of Invisalign treatment?
Your new orthodontist should be able to answer these questions and more. Expect the initial consultation to be a thorough one. Be prepared to talk a little about why you’re changing orthodontists during braces or Invisalign. If the reason for the transfer isn’t about a move, don’t be afraid to explain your issues or grievances so that your new orthodontist can be aware of how to best care for you.
Your new orthodontist will likely lay out a plan during your initial consultation to change out your braces or Invisalign. You should be prepared that they might have to remove your current braces and replace them. They might do that because their braces or treatment plan may differ from what you have currently. It’s much easier to start from scratch than to adapt someone else’s hardware to your new treatment plan.
Moving may be a common reason to change orthodontists during braces, but it’s not the only reason. Several other factors could be involved in your decision.
Sometimes, a patient doesn’t agree with the treatment plan laid out by an orthodontist. While the orthodontist is the professional, sometimes a treatment plan doesn’t feel right. The best thing is to talk to your orthodontist and voice your concerns early so that they can be addressed. It’s one of the many reasons why at Zombek Orthodontics, we offer a consultation. However, if the orthodontist doesn’t feel that the patient’s idea for treatment is in their best interest, they may refuse to treat. In this case, it’s better to find a new orthodontist. In the end, you should be happy with your decision and your treatment.
Sometimes, the conflict with the orthodontist isn’t about treatment — it’s about scheduling. If you have a busy schedule, it will be hard to fit in an orthodontist appointment. If your orthodontist has a huge clientele, scheduling is even more difficult. Try working with your orthodontist to find a solution. Changing orthodontists may be the only answer. You must attend appointments and get regular checkups, so you need an orthodontist who can accommodate your schedule.
Every person has different needs and that translates to needs from their orthodontist and orthodontic office; from anxiety about a dentist or orthodontist to accommodations related to physical disabilities. Your doctor should understand and be willing to listen and address any issues you have. As an orthodontist in South Florida, Dr. Zombek understands that some people have anxiety about visiting a dentist or orthodontist. He and his team work hard to ease patients' concerns and allow them to have as comfortable a visit as possible. But if your orthodontist isn’t as sympathetic or accommodating, then it might be time to move on.
For some patients, a transfer comes after they lose their current orthodontist. The orthodontist may retire and close his business or decide to sell the business to another orthodontist. You may decide to give the new orthodontist a try or decide it’s time to transfer to another orthodontist. Usually, the departing orthodontist will let you know via letter or email when they are leaving and whether the practice will close or will continue on. They should give you enough time to find another orthodontist and begin a transfer if that’s what you prefer to do.
Changing orthodontists during braces can take time, and figuring out the finances may take a good chunk of that time. If you paid in full at the start, your current orthodontist would need to figure out how much they need to refund you. If you’re on a payment plan, the doctor will need to figure out what you will owe to the end date of your treatment, if anything. Payment plans can’t be transferred between orthodontists so you’ll need to set up a new payment plan with your new orthodontist.
Be sure the new orthodontist offers a payment plan similar to what you have. Some orthodontists offer extended payment plans, while others don’t. Some accept dental insurance and FSA/HSA accounts, while others stick with in-house financing. Make sure your financial options are a part of your initial conversation with the potential new orthodontist and find the one who will work best for you. If you used your insurance benefit with your current orthodontist, you might not have benefits left to cover fees for your new orthodontist. Check with your dental insurance to see where you stand on benefits for the year.
You will have new treatment fees once you transfer. Your new orthodontist will have a new financial plan and contract for you. There may also be fees for obtaining your orthodontic records from your current orthodontist and fees to remove your braces from your previous orthodontist. State or local requirements differ so be sure to get details on financing from all possible choices for your new orthodontist.
Changing orthodontists during braces or changing orthodontists during Invisalign treatment can be a complicated process. We want to make it easier. Keep the above steps in mind to facilitate a smooth transition. If you’re in southern Florida or moving to the Hollywood, FL, or Weston, FL, areas, consider Zombek Orthodontics as your new orthodontist. We can aid you in your transition, and we offer treatment with LightForce braces and Invisalign. In fact, Zombek Orthodontics is a Platinum Invisalign Provider! We also provide zero-interest, in-house financing, extended payment plans, and low down payments.
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