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On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for an Orthodontist in Boston, book an appointment, and see the Orthodontist within 24 hours. Same-day appointments are often available, you can search for real-time availability of Orthodontists in Boston who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Boston Orthodontist who takes your insurance. Just choose your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. If you’re not sure which plan you have, you can use Zocdoc’s insurance checker to find out.
Zocdoc is a free online service that helps patients find Orthodontists in Boston and book appointments instantly. You can search for Boston Orthodontists by symptom or visit reason. Then, choose your insurance plan. Based on that information, you’ll see a list of providers who meet your search criteria, along with their available appointment slots.
When you search for Boston Orthodontists on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see Orthodontists in Boston who match your preferences.
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for Boston Orthodontists with availability after 5 p.m.
You can use Zocdoc to find Orthodontists in Boston who are highly rated by other patients. These ratings are based on verified reviews submitted by real patients. Every time a patient completes an appointment booked on Zocdoc, they’re invited to review their experience. Each review must comply with Zocdoc’s guidelines.
Orthodontists in Boston on Zocdoc who see patients through online video visits will have a purple video icon on their profiles. You can also filter your search results to show only Orthodontists who offer video visits.
Most insurers provide coverage for video visits at the same cost as in-person visits. You can search on Zocdoc specifically for Orthodontists in Boston who accept your insurance for video visits by selecting your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. We recommend you check with your insurance carrier directly to confirm your coverage and out of pocket costs for video visits.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for an Orthodontist who has appointments available before 10:00 am, or after 5:00 pm. Just choose the special hours filter at the top of our search page.
Zocdoc let's you see real-time availability for Orthodontists in Boston. Many Orthodontists offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
Orthodontists are dentists who can treat malocclusion and misaligned teeth, leading to difficulty chewing, gum disease, and tooth decay. These dental specialists can diagnose and treat jaw irregularities and help prevent such problems. They treat people of all ages, from infants to older adults.
Orthodontists use devices such as bands, retainers, and braces to correct the position of the teeth. They can help with crowded or crooked teeth, overbite and underbite, and jaw misalignment.
Aspiring orthodontists must first gain a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, and mathematics. They must then enroll in a dental school where they study and train for four years. While the first two years involve learning theory in classrooms and laboratories, the following two years see them undergo practical training. Here, they learn to diagnose and treat problems with the teeth and jaws under the guidance of experienced dentists.
After clearing dental school, doctors must complete a two- to three-year orthodontic residency program where they receive additional and in-depth education and training in orthodontics. Here, students learn how to properly and safely move teeth and monitor and guide jaw, teeth, and face development. Orthodontists can become board-certified after completing their education, but this is optional.
There are various treatment options to correct the teeth and jaw alignment. An orthodontist near you may choose multiple devices depending on the type and severity of the condition. Other factors like the patient's age, jaw imbalances, and the size of teeth matter while deciding on the treatment.
A few standard dental devices are
Braces: Orthodontists recommend braces to correct problems like crowding, crooked teeth, or misaligned teeth. Usually, orthodontists suggest using braces for teenagers as most conditions at that age require such devices. However, adults, too, can get braces. Braces slowly align and straighten the teeth by putting pressure on them over a period and moving them in a specific direction. Braces can also correct their smiles.
There are different types of braces available. Metal wires are not the only option now. Metal braces are traditional and include metal brackets attached to the teeth in front. They can also be bands that fit around individual teeth. Ceramic braces will have tooth-colored ceramic brackets.
Lingual braces are attached at the back and, therefore, are mostly invisible. Clear aligners or invisible braces also fit onto the teeth and gently create pressure to correct their position. These are removable; therefore, one can remove them while eating, brushing, or flossing.
Retainers: Orthodontists usually recommend retainers after someone has used braces. Retainers keep teeth from moving back to their original position. The teeth take around four to six months to shift to the new position permanently. Therefore, retainers help during this time.
Retainers can be both removable and permanent. Detachable retainers are advantageous as you can remove them during meals or while brushing your teeth. They're more accessible and convenient to get, though one of the disadvantages is that they can easily be damaged and misplaced. They also tend to cause excessive saliva production. Removable retainers also need proper maintenance to prevent bacterial growth.
Permanent retainers, too, have their advantages and disadvantages. Some benefits are that it's not visible to others as it attaches to the back of the teeth and doesn't affect speech. A disadvantage of permanent retainers is that since one cannot remove them, it becomes challenging to maintain oral hygiene, which might cause plaque build-up. Also, the metal wires at the back of the teeth might irritate the tongue.
Elastics: These are rubber bands combined with the braces to apply extra pressure on a particular tooth, which braces alone can't. The elastics are connected to the braces and used in different areas where pressure needs to be applied. They are attached to the metal hooks in the braces. Elastics adjust malocclusions like overbites, underbites, open bites, and crossbites.
Different types of elastics exist depending on their force, size, material, and use. Elastics can be light, medium, or heavy, depending on the force it exerts. Elastics will also come in different sizes. The size will depend on how much stretch is needed for the elastic to work correctly.
Elastic can be made of two kinds of material: latex and synthetic. Latex bands are more stable and can exert pressure for an extended period. However, if someone has a latex allergy, then synthetic elastic is recommended. Elastics can also be classified based on usage, and some common uses are to close the spaces between teeth, treat overbite, underbite, etc. The position of the elastic depends on the condition treated.
Mouthguards: They cover the teeth to protect them from injuries, mostly during sports. There are different kinds of mouthguards:
Two primary practitioners come to mind regarding dental health: the dentist and the orthodontist. Your dentist is your primary care provider for basic dental needs, while your orthodontist specializes in addressing more complex issues.
A reliable dentist can adequately manage common dental concerns like tooth decay, pain, repair, and extraction. They can also assist with gum disease, infections, and oral inflammation. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to seek the assistance of an orthodontist for a more specialized approach.
Orthodontists can address jaw malocclusion, tooth crowding, and palate expansion. It is recommended that children have an orthodontic assessment by age seven to determine if they need braces. If you are an adult with concerns regarding a misaligned jaw line or teeth, do not hesitate to seek the assistance of an orthodontist near you.
It is essential to note that not all orthodontic treatments may qualify for insurance coverage, as orthodontists are considered specialists. In some cases, dental insurance providers may require patients to obtain a referral from their dentist before covering a visit to an orthodontist's office.
It is important to note that one can attain a healthy and beautiful smile with the combined assistance of your dentist and orthodontist. Therefore, do not hesitate to book appointments with both experts as required.
Your dentist is the one who can detect misaligned teeth during a routine check. In this case, they will refer you to an orthodontist. During the first visit to an orthodontist, they will look at any notes made by the referring dentists or physician. They will ask you about your problem and the kind of treatment you have received so far. They will conduct an oral examination and take dental X-rays, photos of your face and smile, or impressions of your teeth to create molds. These tests will help the orthodontist diagnose the problem and recommend the appropriate treatment.
To start, many orthodontists like to introduce new patients to the staff and give a brief tour of the office to help everyone feel at ease. The main purpose of this first visit is to decide if treatment is needed and, if so, how best to start.
Your child will be directed to the dental chair, where the orthodontist near you will carefully examine their teeth and bite. They’ll check how the top and bottom teeth align when your child bites down, looking for any misalignment or bite issues. The orthodontist might also take photos or X-rays to see if there are any underlying issues with the jaw or tooth structure.
Once the examination is complete, the orthodontist will decide if treatment is needed and what type would be best. If your child does need a specific appliance, such as braces, a retainer, or an expander, the staff will take an impression of their teeth. Before you leave, the orthodontist or a team member will explain the treatment plan in detail, covering questions like:
The staff will also review your insurance coverage, discuss financing options, and go over payment plans. The entire consultation generally takes one to two hours.
If you decide to proceed with treatment, you’ll schedule an appointment to place the necessary appliances. During that visit, the orthodontist and staff will explain how important good oral hygiene is and teach you and your child how to care for the appliances. After that, follow-up appointments will usually be needed every six to ten weeks to monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments.
The orthodontist and their staff are a crucial part of your child’s care team, but they also see your child as an active participant in the process. Orthodontists strive to make patients feel informed and comfortable from the first visit through the entire course of treatment. If you have any questions or concerns along the way, don’t hesitate to ask!
Orthodontics offers not just cosmetic benefits but also functional and health-related advantages. Properly aligned teeth are easier to clean while improving chewing and speech function. Orthodontic treatment can ease pain related to TMJ(Temporomandibular joint dysfunction) disorder, and an aligned bite can reduce the risk of cavities, gum-related diseases, and other oral health issues.
Achieving and maintaining a good and healthy smile is another benefit of orthodontics. The only disadvantage is that treatment can take time, ranging from less than a year to two years or longer, depending on individual needs. Following treatment guidelines closely is essential, and practicing good oral hygiene prevents cavities. Your orthodontist can provide you with more information on what to expect.
Orthodontic treatments require regular doctor visits, and one must spend considerable time completing the course of treatment. The skill and experience of the doctor play a very crucial role in the improvement of the conditions. Zocdoc has a list of top-rated orthodontists who practice near your area, and it also provides a user-friendly interface where you can book appointments easily.
You can easily book appointments by searching for the conditions you're suffering from or other criteria.
Zocdoc maintains transparency by providing all the relevant information about the best orthodontists, such as their educational qualifications, experience, board certifications, awards, and even the languages the specialist speaks. It also gives you access to ratings and reviews from past patients to help you make an informed choice. Zocdoc lets you select in-network orthodontists once you enter your insurance plan details. If your insurance plan doesn’t appear on Zocdoc, you can try uploading a photo of your medical insurance card (this option isn’t available for vision or dental cards). We’ll scan the image and show you the plan that most likely matches. If you run into any issues with uploading, our service team is here to help. For any other insurance questions, you can also check out Zocdoc’s insurance page. You can book an online or in-person visit with an orthodontist near you; look for a purple icon on the profile of orthodontists who allow online consultations before an in-person visit.
Depending on the orthodontist's availability, you can book an appointment after office hours, before 10 am, after 5 pm, and even on weekends and holidays. Booking appointments with Zocdoc is safe, quick, and free.
According to a study conducted in 1998 by the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), only 35% of adults in the USA have well-aligned mandibular incisors. About 20% of the population has overbite, underbite, or crossbite problems. Among these, 2% have severe issues, enough to be disfiguring. The survey also states that treatment for orthodontic conditions is more frequent in the higher-income groups. In contrast, only 5% of those in the lowest income group and 10-15% in intermediate income groups went for treatments.
According to the Status of Oral Disease in Massachusetts, Office of Oral Health, 2009, 60% of oral/facial injuries in school children and adolescents require medical attention. However, only 31% of Massachusetts schools needed mouthguards for sports activities.
American Association of Orthodontists
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.