Orthodontic Advertising
When searching for or choosing orthodontic treatment or braces in Northern Virginia, you can easily be mislead by website content and search engine ads. First, general dentists, who are not trained orthodontic specialists, will advertise that they do orthodontics. Just because a dentist does Invisalign does not mean they have the proper training and ability to diagnose and treat bad bites or provide straight teeth. The orthodontic treatment has to be tailored to your particular needs.
Another example of misleading orthodontic advertising is dentists or orthodontists whose ads or websites state that they do specific orthodontic treatment techniques. The biggest example of this is an unscrupulous orthodontist or dentist advertising that they do SureSmile or Damon braces. SureSmile and Damon are very technique-sensitive. There is much training that is required to use them. However, some orthodontists will advertise them on their websites in hopes of getting you to inquire about these techniques in their office. They will then tell you that you are not a candidate for SureSmile or Damon braces. Next comes the sales pitch for a generic orthodontic treatment. An orthodontic “Bait and Switch” if you will.
What to do? Make sure you use an orthodontist, not a general dentist, who is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and a member of the College of Diplomates of the American Board. Next, it is important that they are qualified providers of the specific treatment techniques that they advertise. For instance, you can go to www. SureSmile.com or http://www.damonbraces.com for a list of those orthodontists who are recognized by the company as being qualified providers of their service. Remember, caveat emptor (let the buyer beware).
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