Many patients are concerned about whether or not they need a dentist referral to see an Orthodontist. Although a referral is common, it is not a necessity for consulting an orthodontist. You can make your own booking to visit the Orthodontist without a referral from your dentist if you have done the right research into finding a qualified specialist orthodontist near you.

If you regularly see your dentist and would like them to refer you to an Orthodontist then they can point you in the right direction. A dentist will often refer you to a specialist in your area with whom they have a working relationship. Dentists and Orthodontists often have working relationships and communicate throughout treatment so that their patients achieve the best results. Your dentist understands your unique requirements and therefore will refer you to a particular orthodontist that will suit your needs. 

However, you do not have to see the orthodontist that your dentist has referred you to. All specialist orthodontists will work with your general dentist as a team to make sure you are getting the appropriate treatment and orthodontic care. The specialists and dentists all have one end goal, and that is achieving the results you need, and the overall health of your mouth. Thus it doesn’t matter how you found the Orthodontist in the end. 

Is it okay to consult with more than one orthodontist? 

You are more than welcome to go to as many consultations as you feel necessary. Choosing the right orthodontic provider is an important step to achieving the results you want and need. Refer to our blog about How to select an orthodontic provider. You can go for consultations with or without a referral from your general dentist, the choice is yours. Remember to note that each consultation does come with a fee, so make sure you are choosing wisely and have the price factor in mind.

Initial Assessments

In your initial assessment or first consultation with a specialist orthodontist, you will receive x-rays of your mouth, photographs and a 3D scan of your teeth so that the Orthodontist can diagnose and plan appropriately. These assessments will help the Orthodontist to get a comprehensive view of what they are working with, so they may best advise you regarding the appropriate treatment. This way the Orthodontist can see any irregularities that need to be noted, and what type of treatment plan they will be looking at for you and your unique needs. The specialist will give you the options before allocating your specific treatment plan and costs. 

Start searching for a specialist orthodontist near you and book an initial assessment by using our finder tool.