It might seem like common sense that you would keep your orthodontic correction needs local. In fact, here at Reichheld Ting Orthodontics, we agree! But the fact remains that there are alternatives popping up nowadays. Whether it’s something like mail-order aligner companies that promise benefits such as no office visits or cheaper service or large franchise offices that use a rotating crew of doctors with who you never get a chance to develop a relationship, it’s essential to be informed about the real hazards that are out there when it comes to outsourcing your treatment needs.

Why see an orthodontist near me? We’ve put together a few reasons we think are pretty convincing, but why don’t you be the judge? Read on to learn more!

What alternatives to seeing my local orthodontist are there?

First thing first: What is out there regarding orthodontic care, apart from seeing a highly trained local specialist like the team here at Reichheld Ting? Spoiler alert – Nothing too great! But let’s find out a little more about some of these options below:

Mail-order Aligners

Mail-Order orthodontics starts with an online questionnaire and a few grainy cell phone pics. You’ll get an outdated gunky impressions kit in the mail, and, assuming your needs are capable of being treated with aligners, a set will arrive a few weeks later.

The hope is that by ordering online and taking the impressions yourself, you’ll save a few trips to an office and maybe a few bucks. But what is the reality? Here at Reichheld Ting Orthodontics, we can think of a few reasons why you probably want to keep orthodontic procedures to the orthodontic experts.

What don’t I get with mail-order?

What are we missing when we go online? The Reichheld doctors (Dr. Steve Sr., Dr. Steve Jr., Dr. Jay, Dr. Tim) and Dr. Brian Ting, along with the whole team here at Reichheld Ting, are here for everything you need to keep you smiling. Anonymous mail-order operations will tell you that you can save time and money. That’s often just the opposite of what happens.

In fact, if done incorrectly, clear aligner therapy can cause gum problems, like bone loss and recession, and can cause worsening bite changes. This is why, at RTO, we believe every step of your orthodontic journey should be monitored closely by a highly trained expert. That’s something you can’t get through the mail!

Plus, you’d also miss out on all these great benefits. Benefits like:

Free In-person consultation

Our doctors are members of the community, just like you. And, just like you, they know it’s essential to make every dollar count. That’s why consultations are free – every time.

A warm, inviting atmosphere

Your and your loved ones’ tooth and jaw health are essential to you, and it’s important to us, too. We know it can be intimidating to have corrective body-altering work performed, and that’s why we’ve gone out of our way to ensure that Reichheld Ting Orthodontics is a fun, relaxing environment. Whether it’s our Acton, Billerica, Lowell, or Westford locations, we want you to feel welcome!

Corporate Franchised Orthodontists

While you probably won’t go as wrong with a large corporate-owned firm of doctors as you would by striking it out on your own with iffy mail-order “solutions”, there are still plenty of things you’re missing out on when you decide to forego seeing your local specialist. In particular, the trust and rapport that develop over an extended period between doctor and patient can be invaluable.

In fact, this article published by the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics demonstrated that patients across-the-board preferred face-to-face sessions with doctors they could trust to alternatives such as teledentistry. This applies to the rotating cast of specialists you’ll see if you choose to go outside of your local practices!

What are some reasons to see an orthodontist?

Now that we’ve covered some great reasons to see your local specialist, what are some of the conditions you might want to come and see us about?

Overbite

In the case of an overbite, the upper front teeth overlap or cover part of the lower front teeth. This can lead to excessive wear of tooth enamel or inflammation of the palatal tissues.

Traditional braces or clear aligners are necessary to correct an overbite.

Underbite

Also known as an anterior crossbite, this is where the lower jaw sits out in front of the upper jaw. When not corrected, underbites make chewing difficult and prevent normal jaw function.

Our doctors will work closely with you to help reshape the jaw or redirect jaw growth to develop a proper bite.

Crossbite

This refers to the misalignment of either the teeth, jaws or both, in which upper teeth sit inside lower teeth. Untreated crossbites may lead to chin asymmetries (deviation forward or to the left or right side of the face) which, left untreated, may become permanent.  

Also, crossbites resulting from a narrow upper jaw are easier to treat in 7-10-year-old patients. At this age, patients experience almost no discomfort while widening the maxillae. As patients age, the amount of pressure necessary to create expansion increases until the age at which the only way to widen the jaw requires surgery.

Crowding

Crowding results from not having enough space for teeth to erupt normally. This may be due to the jaw being too small, the teeth being too large, or baby teeth being lost prematurely. As we monitor dental development and tooth eruption, we will help ensure teeth have the space to erupt properly, which will often save the need to solve other problems later.

That’s about all – Give us a call!

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to read up on the benefits of seeing a local orthodontist. Everyone here at Reichheld Ting is so happy to have the chance to serve our community by crafting the best smiles in the business – near or far.

Consultations are always 100% free of charge, so there’s no reason to hesitate! Start building the relationship that will lead to the best smile of your life by booking your first appointment today. We can’t wait to see you smile!