You may have seen ads for traveling orthodontists who visit an area for a short period of time to provide braces and aligners at discounted prices. While the low fees seem appealing, these transient services should be avoided. Orthodontic care requires an ongoing commitment best provided by a stable local practice. Below, we’ll explain why you should beware of the many downsides of relying on a traveling orthodontist. Here are 6 reasons you should choose a local practice instead.
1. They Won’t Be Around Long
By definition, traveling orthodontists only stay in an area for a limited time before moving on. This means they will start your treatment then leave, forcing you to find a new orthodontist to continue your care. Transitions between providers can derail your progress. You want your orthodontist to see your case through from start to finish.
2. Follow-Up Care is Limited
Even if a traveling orthodontist promises to return for follow-up visits, this is never guaranteed. Most patients require adjustments, replacements, or other unanticipated care during treatment. With your provider on the move, you may be left having problems fixed or just stuck waiting until they loop back. This puts your results at risk.
3. Your Records Won’t Follow
X-rays, molds, photos, and other orthodontic records are essential to proper diagnosis, monitoring, and adjustments. Traveling providers often take records with them when they leave an area. Without access to a complete history of your case, it’s difficult for a new orthodontist to seamlessly take over. Valuable time is lost re-establishing your records.
4. Office Support is Lacking
Successful orthodontic care requires a coordinated office team, from trained assistants to skilled lab technicians. Traveling practitioners lack this infrastructure of support. They cannot provide the same level of care without a fully-staffed office to handle emergencies, questions, and lab work.
5. Shortcuts Impact Quality
To offer discounted fees, traveling orthodontists often cut corners, use lower quality materials, or rush procedures. But limited appointments spaced far apart simply cannot provide the level of careful, ongoing adjustment that achieving results requires. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
6. Local Practices Are Invested
An established local orthodontist has carefully built their practice and reputation in the community over many years. They are invested in providing high-quality care and achieving successful outcomes. Local orthodontists have access to other dental and medical specialists to coordinate comprehensive care as well. This is exactly what we provide at Drs. Savage, Sabol and Visser.
We are proud to serve the Virginia Beach area, where we offer braces, Invisalign, and many other orthodontic services. Don’t settle for transient or limited treatment. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with Drs. Savage, Sabol and Visser!
