If you are confident that The Invisalign treatment is your solution of choice to straighten your teeth, how do you know if you are choosing the right provider? You’ve done your research on Invisalign but which clinic to choose is also an important decision. There are numerous providers with different levels of skill, expertise and experience. If you are concerned about making the right decision, here are some useful tips to follow.

First, you need to understand that there is a difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. There are many dentists that offer Invisalign services but a dentist does not have the educational and required additional specialty training to carry the SPECIALIST degree as an orthodontist. Orthodontists have specialized clinical experience and have to spend three extra years after graduating from Dental School to attain their specialization. They are then experienced enough to address the specific needs required to identify, assess and resolve specific orthodontic concerns such as bite misalignment and overcrowding issues.

While experience matters, it is good to get in-depth information on the type of experience the provider possess. It is easy to assume that the more cases that have been completed the more experienced the provider will be. This is not always the case. If most of the cases are simple and straightforward, the provider may be unprepared to handle more complex cases. Although the Invisalign system seem to look as a simple technique, it is far from it. It is of utmost importance that the provider you choose has a vast experience with multi-level Invisalign cases. Without specific experience with Invisalign even the specialists may have trouble providing you with the results you are seeking. You can also request for before and after photos of patients who’ve had Invisalign treatment to ensure it matches your requirements.

If you want to compare an orthodontist with other providers, check their credentials. How long have they been in practice? Do they have clinical training or a board certification? Where did they get their training? Etc. These are some questions you should get answers to when making an informed decision. You can also verify your own research by reading some reviews online. Patient testimonials contain valuable information. Reviews will tell you if an orthodontist is competent, experienced, skilled and professional.

Get a referral from a happy patient. Word of mouth matters, so speak to patients who’ve gone for treatment in the past to the provider in question. When a person makes a recommendation you can consider it credible, but visit their website to learn more about the provider beforehand.

To put it into perspective, the more your provider has successfully treated similar cases to yours, they will be positioned to deliver the best results.