Your ortho office... Single doctor, Partners, Chain Type?

[knownothing]

I am interested in figuring out which kind of office most folks on this board choose to go to.
Is your ortho the only ortho in the office?
Do they have more than one ortho?
Do they have more than one location?
Or is it a chain type with a brand name like "Your State Orthodontics" that runs offices all over the area?
Which did you pick and why?
Also if you could do it again would you do the same? I am trying to figure this out for my future ortho decision!!! Thanks

[dawnm]

The office I go to has 3 orthos. They have 4 office locations. It's a private practice.

I've been happy so far. I went for my consult because they accepted my insurance. I ended up going to them because I really liked everyone I dealt with at the office and I had heard good recommendations. I'm pleased so far!

[Nawners]

I'm not sure if where I go is a chain, or they just have the same name as many others... But I go to the Brace Place.

[Jenny5]

My orthodontist has a partnership with her husband, who is an orthodontist as well. Both are Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics and have very impressive educational backgrounds...not that that necessarily means anything other than a paper in a frame on the wall, but it did make me feel a little bit more at ease and gave me the sense that they know what they're doing (I hope it turns out to be true!). They both have 20+ years experience, but are also still pretty young. They have two locations -- one in my town and one in Philadelphia. I've only ever physically seen my own ortho, so I'm guessing that maybe the husband works in the Philly office and she works in my office...not sure though. The office itself was also a selling point. It offered private rooms, was very clean and well cared for, and was a truly welcoming environment. Not that the size and "niceness" of the office should sway you too much, but knowing it's sterile was important to me - also that it's a friendly environment, so I won't dread going there every month.

Well, all of those factors helped make my decision, but honestly, the #1 thing it comes down to is how comfortable you feel with the individual orthodontist who will be treating you. You have to feel like you can ask as many questions as you need to and know that they will be willing to take the time to answer them. You will be visiting the office a lot over the course of your treatment, so that comfort level cannot be underestimated. My orthodontist is extremely nice and positive and happy. She is also very clear when she explains something, which is important. I feel the same way about the assistant. He always has a huge smile on his face and I am at least given the impression that these people are happy to be treating me. You could have a phenomenal orthodontist working in a chain, just as you could have a lousy orthodontist with all of the certifications and their own practice, so I would say go on a few different consultations and base your decision on the orthodontist you won't mind seeing month after month. Of course, getting recommendations from other people would be nice too, but if you don't know anyone in the area, your best bet is probably to not worry too much about things like the type of office they have and go with the gut instinct.

Good luck!!

[Jenny5]

Oh -- and also, my office seems to cater to adult patients, which helped make my decision. In fact, I've been in there 4-5 times and have yet to see a single patient under the age of 18. Not that that was a HUGE part of my decision, but it was comforting to know that they were used to dealing with adult patients and that I wouldn't be alone in a sea of 13 year olds!

[Lisa65]

oops double post!

[Lisa65]

A one-man private practice, but I'm in the UK and there are only a few specialist orthodontists anyway. He's one of only 2 in my area.

[susieq182]

My ex-ortho and new ortho both have the same type of private practice. All the orthos in my area seem to operate about the same they all have 1 ortho and several locations in the state. this seems to be pretty common among specialized docs in Wyoming as the population is pretty small. I picked my first ortho because he looked great on paper and I could afford to go there. We had a major falling out after i got fed up with being rescheduled and sought a second opinion to make sure my treatment wasnt being delayed because of them. Turns out that its possible that so far my treatment has been extended up to 8 months. No wonder the Ex-got so mad when i wanted to see another ortho. My New ortho has better bedside manner and a nicer office. though he isnt as papered as the other ortho he comes highly recomended. So really it comes down to how you feel. I would go to a few consults and ask your regular dentist who they would go to. THe upside to going to an office with more than one ortho I think would be that in an emergency it might be easier to get in. Hope you figure it out and good luck.

[JoeMama]

One woman private practice with one location. I see the ortho every time I'm there. Cute office, more expensive than the consultation I got from a chain-type ortho, but worth it to me.

[Ives]

Single privatly run practice. My wifes been seeing him for quite a while and highly recommended him. Was comfortable talking to him from day one. Enjoys being asked questions, in fact prefers that you ask questions. The more the better. As far as doing it again, havn't officially started this round yet ( real soon though ). But I would highly recommend this office to anyone, young and not so young alike.

Ives

[serendipity]

Is your ortho the only ortho in the office?
No - 2. I have never met the other orthodontist though. They work odd days so if you need to go in when your own ortho is not there they will do simple things like clip your wires for you.

Do they have more than one ortho?
Yes, Two.

Do they have more than one location?
Yes ... one inland and one on the coast - every couple of weeks they are on the coast - the coast office is where I go for adjustments but I had to go to the main office to have my braces put on and taken off.

Or is it a chain type with a brand name like "Your State Orthodontics" that runs offices all over the area?

It's not a chain

Which did you pick and why?

Mainly because he is the only orthodontist in the area but if there was another I'm sure I would of gone with him anyway. Just generally a nice guy, very friendly and knows his stuff.

Also if you could do it again would you do the same?

For sure!

[Tin Indian]

My ortho is a one band band with a large staff in my town and has another office in a town East of here. He spends M, T, W, F here with everyother T,Th in the other office. He is solely owned and operated.
I picked him because of several recommendations from friends. The kicker is He's a block away and I can walk to his office .I just love the place- they treat everyone like a kid. SPAMS, T.V., Coffee, Treats,Baloons,Tropical Plants. And he has a huge Parrot as well.

[ssfw]

I am interested in figuring out which kind of office most folks on this board choose to go to.
Is your ortho the only ortho in the office?
2 brothers

Do they have more than one ortho?

Yes


Do they have more than one location?

No
Or is it a chain type with a brand name like "Your State Orthodontics" that runs offices all over the area?

No, private office
Which did you pick and why?

I felt comfortable talking to the ortho, great support staff, treatment plan, nobody is ever too busy to assist or answer my questions

Also if you could do it again would you do the same? I am trying to figure this out for my future ortho decision!!! Thanks

Yes, I would choose my orthos again in a heartbeat. Both of the orthos are the greatest and are so kind. I feel comfortable with the both of them.

ssfw

[science teacher]

Single ortho. Young took over an established practice of an ortho that was wanting to retire.
Kim

[alexa]

I only see one ortho...well...I've seen two now, but only becase the first one left and no one even bothered to let me know before it happened.

There is only one ortho in my office.

I go to a chain ortho/dental facility.

I chose it because of the low price and easy payment plan.

I would absolutely positively go elsewhere if given the chance to do it all over again. Cheap is nice, but proper care and treatment is more important. I know that now.