Before you see a health specialist, you typically need a doctor referral from your primary care provider or family doctor. So does that apply to orthodontists too?
Spoiler alert: No, you do not need a dentist referral to begin your orthodontic journey. Nothing has to stand in the way of your beautiful new smile!
You get to take control of your future and decide when you want to see an orthodontist.
How to visit an orthodontist without a referral
The process is simple. All you have to do is book a consultation with Fellow Orthodontist, our modern practice in Union Square, Manhattan!
Start however you want – with an in-office consultation, virtual consultation or quick assessment via text.
Your first visit to us costs $95 (which is then applied and deducted from your total cost) – and it includes:
- Comprehensive exam, including a physical exam, digital x-rays, digital impressions and diagnostic photos
- One-on-one consultation with Dr. Lin, a 5-star orthodontist
- Finance and insurance review to create a custom payment plan
- Review of our esthetic treatment options, including Invisalign® clear aligners, BRIUS® truly-invisible braces, Iconix® champagne-gold braces and clear braces
Once your consultation and exam are complete, we can begin your treatment journey!
Your dentist’s role in your orthodontic treatment
While it’s not necessary for you to get an orthodontist referral from your dentist, your dentist still plays a critical role in your orthodontic treatment and your dental health. Before you begin orthodontic treatment, it’s important that your dentist assesses your teeth and gums to ensure that they’re healthy and ready to support your orthodontic tooth movement.
You will still need to visit your dentist every six months, or as often as instructed by your dentist, in order to keep your smile clean and to help us achieve the best possible results from orthodontic treatment.
How do you decide which orthodontist to visit?
Since you don’t need a referral from a dentist, how do you decide which orthodontist to entrust with your smile? Here are a few factors to help guide your search:
1. Location
You’ll want to visit an orthodontist located somewhat near you. You’ll be seeing your orthodontist regularly and don’t want the drive to discourage you from staying up on your appointments.
If you live near Union Square, Manhattan or anywhere in New York City, get started with Fellow Orthodontist! We have a convenient first floor entrance. We also use high-tech, virtual treatment monitoring that reduces your visits from once every 6-8 weeks with traditional care, to once every 12-16 weeks with modern virtual care.
2. Experience
Choosing an orthodontist for you or your child is a big decision! It’s not one to take lightly. When deciding which orthodontist to get started with, consider the orthodontist’s skill and experience. How many years has the orthodontist been practicing? Are they a member of professional associations?
Dr. Lin is our board-certified Fellow Orthodontist! (Only 1 in 3 orthodontists goes the extra mile to get board-certified.) He has demonstrated his commitment to going above-and-beyond to provide the highest standard of care, time and time again.
Bringing a unique, artistic approach to his patients’ personalized treatment plans, Dr. Lin considers all details of your smile and facial balance to optimize your appearance.
Take a look at Dr. Lin’s smile transformations to see the quality of work you can expect!
3. Does the orthodontist offer modern treatment options?
You deserve options! Modern advancements in orthodontics have made treatment options more convenient, more efficient, and less noticeable than ever before.
At Fellow Orthodontist, we use the most advanced technologies, provide esthetic, invisible treatment options, and combine personalized in-office care with convenient virtual care to suit busy lifestyles.
Choose from Invisalign® clear aligners, BRIUS® truly-invisible braces, Iconix® champagne-gold braces, and clear braces
. Your treatment choice is up to you! Dr. Lin has the experience necessary to treat you with your preferred option.
By combining human intelligence with artificial intelligence, we minimize your in-office visits, while still providing you with highly-personalized care and personal attention. This is how we achieve the best results, with the most convenient treatment experience.
If convenience and high-quality orthodontic care are what you’re looking for, request your consultation with us today.
Still have questions about visiting an orthodontist?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions. On your first visit, we’ll discuss your needs and goals and examine your smile to create a 100% personalized treatment plan for you.