Are you searching for an orthodontist Chicago IL?
The key to having a beautiful smile is being a good orthodontist. This is why choosing an orthodontist in Chicago IL is a big decision.
Orthodontic care is not only expensive but it can be a potentially long process. So, you have to make sure that you choose an orthodontist who is not only good but someone you are comfortable with.
If you are living in Chicago, Illinois, you may be overwhelmed with all the options that you have. After all, Chicago is a big city. So, how do you know which orthodontist is the best?
Here, we give you a list of the top orthodontists in Chicago IL and some other information that you should consider when it comes to choosing one.
The top ten orthodontists in Chicago IL
in this section , you will find a list of the top ten places in Chicago IL where you can find the best orthodontists, according to Yelp.
Yelp is a popular online review site in which customers and clients share their experiences and it has held its reputation to be a trusted source of legit local business reviews and ratings.
If you do not know where to start looking, feel free to contact these clinics and ask for an initial consultation with their orthodontist. Usually, the first consultation is a free consultation.
Goshgarian Orthodontics
Website: https://www.goshgarianortho.com/
Telephone: 847-295-3370
Address: 1400 N Western Ave #A, Lake Forest, IL 60045
Uniform Teeth
Website: https://www.uniformteeth.com/
Telephone: 889-490-1421
Address: 20 South Clark St Ste 1520 Chicago, IL 60602
Chicago Dental Studio
Website: https://thechicagodentalstudio.com/
Telephone: 312-668-004
Address: 1255 W Fullerton Ave Chicago, IL 60614
Millennium Park Orthodontics
Website: https://www.millenniumparkortho.com/
Telephone: 312-726-9528
Address: 30 N. Michigan Ave, #1812, Chicago, IL 60602
Schuppert Orthodontics
Website: https://planetbraces.com/
Telephone: 773-929-5000
Address: 2835 N. Sheffield Ave., Suite 102, Chicago, IL 60657
Wicker Park Orthodontics
Website: https://www.chicagoorthodontics.com/wicker-park/
Telephone: 773-276-0335
Address: 1921 W. North Avenue, Chicago IL, 60622
Dr. Jones Orthodontics
Website: https://www.orthojones.com/
Telephone: 773-281-1010
Address: 2835 N Sheffield Ave Ste 405 Chicago, IL 60657
Allcare Orthodontic Center
Website: http://allcareorthodonticcenter.com/
Telephone: 312-804-8304
Address: 842 W 31st St Chicago, IL 60608
Windy City Orthodontics
Website: https://windycityortho.com/
Telephone: 773-697-8038
Address: 2921 N Lincoln Ave Ground Fl Chicago, IL 60657
Novick Orthodontics:
Website: https://www.novickorthodontics.com/river-forest-location
Telephone: 708-366-2300
Address: 7351 W North Ave River Forest, IL 60305
What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a special branch of dentistry that focuses on treating, diagnosing, and preventing malocclusions and other irregularities from happening to your teeth, jaw, and face. Orthodontists are specially trained to correct such problems by teeth straightening to restore their health, functionality, and beauty.
Before, orthodontic care was originally made to treat children and teens but now, most of the patients are adults. Which just proves that any person of any age can see an orthodontist.
What problems can orthodontics treat?
Orthodontics can handle a wide range of dental issues that can be solved by realigning the teeth. Here are some of the most common issues that orthodontists deal with.
Overcrowding
This happens when your mouth does not have enough space in your jaw for all your adult teeth to grow out and fit naturally. As a result, you would have displaced, misaligned, and rotated teeth.
Overbite
This happens when the upper jaw is protruding over your lower jaw. This gives off a toothy look and the chin would recede.
Underbite
This happens when the lower jaw is protruding over the upper jaw. This makes the chin more prominent.
Why is orthodontic care important?
Some people think seeing a dentist is enough. But there are a lot of reasons why you should consider getting orthodontic treatment.
Functionality
Misaligned teeth or protruding upper or lower jaws mean your teeth will not be able to function well. Going through teeth straightening treatments like metal braces will fix the solution by arranging everything in its proper places allowing you to bite and chew comfortably.
Hygiene
When your teeth are arranged well, it will be easier for you to maintain good dental hygiene. Misaligned teeth would give spaces between teeth and crooked teeth would give a lot of space for bacteria to cling to and turn into plaque and cavity. Most of the time, it would be too late before you notice them.
Even if you brush your teeth religiously, chances are there would be hard-to-reach areas that you will not be able to clean because of the misalignment. This is why going through metal braces, clear aligners, or other treatments is necessary.
Aesthetics
Another reason is to improve your looks. Of course, you are perfect the way you are and looks are not everything but having straight teeth and a beautiful smile will always be a positive impact no matter what phase you are in life.
After all, your smile is the first thing most people notice when they first see you. Presenting a beautiful smile with beautiful teeth will always leave a good first impression.
Self-esteem
When you have bad or crooked teeth, you tend to shy away from talking, laughing, smiling, and even eating in public. It can make you feel self-conscious and for kids and teens, it can make you vulnerable to teasing or bullying.
If you get orthodontic treatments to fix them, you no longer have the need to be self-conscious! You will become more confident and get a boost in self-esteem.
How much do braces cost in Chicago IL?
The average cost of braces in Illinois can be anywhere between $3,500 and $7,500. For an urban area like Chicago, the cost would be higher than in other areas. The cost of braces in Chicago can range between $5,500 and $7,500.
Take note that this range is the cost you are looking at without insurance coverage. Also, there is a chance that you will be paying lower or higher than the price range above, depending on many different factors.
This is why one person’s braces would cost differently than another’s. There is no fixed price because the total cost depends on different factors.
Factors that influence the cost of braces in IL
The severity of your condition
The major factor that will determine the total cost of braces in Chicago IL would be the severity of your dental condition. How bad are your dental issues?
The more work your teeth needs, the more expensive your braces will be. Minor issues like spacing will be easier to fix compared to major issues like overbites.
Type of braces
The next factor that would be considered is the type of braces you are getting. Each type comes with a different price tag. Basically, there are the traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, self-ligating braces, and lingual braces.
The more discreet the braces are, the more expensive they will be. In this case, lingual braces can be more expensive than traditional metal braces and ceramic braces.
Location
As mentioned earlier, urban areas will have higher costs compared to rural areas. This is based on the cost of living and taxes in the area.
The orthodontist
And of course, your orthodontist’s fees come also in the mix of things to consider when it comes to the total cost of your braces. Usually, the more experienced or the more popular the orthodontist is, they have the tendency to charge higher fees for their services.
How much does Invisalign cost in Chicago IL?
The average range for Invisalign, in general, is between $3,000 and $7,000. For Chicago IL, the cost is a bit higher – the average range for Invisalign in the area is between $3,500 and $8,500.
But of course, just like braces, Invisalign does not have a fixed price. So, there is still a possibility that you will be paying higher or lower than this range, depending on different factors.
Factors that influence the cost of Invisalign
The severity of the issue
Just like braces, the severity of the dental issue you want to fix with Invisalign plays a major role in the total cost that you have to pay. The more work your teeth needs means the more clear braces you will use, the longer your treatment time gets, and the more expensive it will be.
Location
The location also plays a factor in the total cost, just like for braces. The cost of living and taxes in your area will have an effect on the total cost of Invisalign. The urban areas have a higher Invisalign cost and the rural areas have lower Invisalign costs.
Competition and experience
Invisalign is a specialty. If there are a lot of orthodontic experts in your area that can do Invisalign, the competition can be stiff so they may charge lower to attract more customers. If there is only one orthodontist who can do Invisalign, then they can have a reason to charge a higher fee.
Invisalign providers also have to go through special training and they also have a tier system based on their experience with Invisalign. The higher the orthodontist is on the tier, the higher their fees are.
How to choose an orthodontist
Selecting between orthodontic experts can be challenging. We suggest that you gather a few names by asking around for recommendations. Once you have a list of orthodontists to consider, check out the following factors to get to the right one:
Education
Do a little research about these orthodontists. Find out their educational background like where they took up dentistry and where did they train for orthodontics. Of course, you must check if the orthodontist is a licensed member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).
Reviews
There are a lot of localized review sites these days. Try to read what clients say about their service. A disappointed client who went through a terrible experience would not hold back on giving a bad review. And very happy clients would be pleased to leave a good review.
Location
Given that orthodontic treatments usually last for a couple of months, you must choose an orthodontist whose clinic’s location is convenient to you. Someone whose clinic is nearby would be ideal if you plan to get braces so you can easily drop by in case of emergencies like a loose bracket or a cut wire.
Availability
If you are a hard worker, you may prefer an orthodontist who has extended office hours so that you can still drop by after work or school. It also helps to have an orthodontist who can be on call during the weekends or after hours in case of emergency.
Personality
You will be seeing your orthodontist more frequently than your dentist. So you must choose someone you are comfortable with. You can assess the personalities of your candidates by asking for a complimentary consultation.
See what each one has to say and what treatment they would push for you. Orthodontists have different treatment styles. Ask questions during the free consultation and observe how they respond.
You should also take into consideration the entire staff of the clinic. It pays to go to a clinic where every visit is a personalized experience than a clinic that treats its patients like they are just a number.
Insurance
Of course, if you have insurance, you would want to work with an orthodontist that is affiliated with your insurance company. This way, you can have more coverage for your treatments.
Stick to the same clinic
If the general dentist you are seeing works in a clinic that also has orthodontics, you can consider sticking to the clinic. This way, your dentist and your orthodontist will have no problem communicating about you when it comes to your dental history.
This can be a very convenient arrangement too since there won’t have to be any major adjustments on your part. But do not let this stop you from exploring other options outside the clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is an orthodontist better than a general dentist?
Yes, orthodontic experts are better. An orthodontist is a specialist trained to create and customize a treatment plan to improve the way your teeth are arranged and improve your bite safely and efficiently.
To be an orthodontist, you must first graduate as a dentist. Then you go to school for an additional two to three years to finish orthodontic training and a residency program. After, you have to take national board examinations to be a certified orthodontist.
So, every orthodontist is a dentist but not every dentist is an orthodontist. So if you meet a dentist who says he can give you orthodontic treatment, do not be fooled. A dentist is not trained enough to do orthodontic treatment.
When should I see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that your first appointment with an orthodontist should be when you turn seven. Even if you think there are no problems or you already have pediatric dentistry, an early checkup with a Chicago orthodontist can save you a lot of money in the long run.
This is because, by seven years old, an orthodontist can be able to evaluate and catch any problems in the jaw or in the teeth’s alignment. The earlier you catch a dental issue, the lesser you have to pay to repair them because teeth and jaw can be easily fixed while they are not yet fully developed.
As for getting braces, orthodontic experts would wait until all your permanent teeth has erupted. This is also the case for clear braces. But there are some cases when kids can get braces while some of their permanent teeth are not out yet.
Typically, the older you get, the longer and more expensive the treatment would be. But of course, this would also depend majorly on the severity of the dental issue.
But that does not mean that it is too late to get orthodontic treatment. Anyone of any age can see an orthodontist!
Can I still see my dental hygienist while I am seeing an orthodontist?
Yes, you can still see your dentist while you are getting orthodontic treatment. Keeping your teeth clean and free of plaque and bacteria is more important than ever now that you are going through orthodontic treatment. Your dentist can help give you professional cleanings for this situation.
How often do I have to visit the orthodontist while getting treatment?
The average range for orthodontist visits would be every 4 to 10 weeks during the treatment. This will be enough time for the orthodontist to monitor the progress of your treatment plan and make changes to your treatment if necessary.
But take note that this will also depend on the severity of your dental issue. If the dental issue is bad, you may be seeing your orthodontist more frequently. But if it is just a mild situation, you may even be seeing the orthodontist less.
Can pregnant women get orthodontic care?
You have to discuss this with your OBGYN and orthodontist first since changes in the body happen during your pregnancy and these bodily changes may affect your mouth.
But there are some cases when treatment can be done while a patient is pregnant. But then again, this is a case-to-case basis.
Conclusion
Remember, your orthodontic treatment will not only give you a beautiful smile but it will also give you a boost in confidence and ensure that you have lesser chances of getting dental issues.
Your orthodontic experience will surely be something that you will remember for life and it is a very significant step in improving your smile. So make sure that it is an experience that you can smile about by choosing the right orthodontist.
