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An Easy Guide to Getting a Dental Referral for Braces

Home » Blog » An Easy Guide to Getting a Dental Referral for Braces

About one-third of all Americans are unhappy with the way their teeth look, and this has a major impact on confidence. If you aren’t happy with your smile, you might not feel good about your appearance, which can lower the quality of your life.

Sound dramatic?

It’s true.

Getting simple oral treatments, such as braces, can give you self-esteem a boost and improve your performance at work, your social relationships, and just your everyday life. But how do you go about getting braces? Do you need a dental referral first?

We’ve put together this guide to help you answer some of these questions. Make sure you keep reading below to learn how to get a referral for braces and what to expect from your first visit with an orthodontist.

Visit Your Dentist

If you want to get braces and aren’t sure where to start, all you have to do is visit your dentist. They can refer you to an orthodontist.

In fact, many dentists will recommend getting braces if you need them before you even bring them up. So as long as you’re making regular visits to your dentist, you won’t have a hard time making the transition to an orthodontist.

How to Find a Dentist in Your Area

Don’t have a primary dentist?

It’s a good idea to find one and get established with them first. An orthodontist won’t be able to give you braces if you have any pre-existing oral health problems, such as tooth decay. Finding a primary dentist will ensure your teeth are healthy, which will give you the best results from your braces.

Here are the steps you should follow when searching for a new dentist.

Talk to Friends and Family 

Start by asking your friends and family which dentist they visit. They should be able to give you a few recommendations, and since you already trust the people you love, you can feel comfortable and confident setting up an appointment with those dentists.

Hit up Google 

If you just moved to a new area and don’t know many local people yet (or if they just don’t have any recommendations for you), you can also search for “dentists near me” in Google. This should give you several options to choose from, but don’t pick the top result and call it good.

Instead, you should scroll through different websites and put together a list of your top three to five choices. As you continue to do research, you can narrow this list down to your favorite dentist.

Read Reviews 

Visit a third-party website, such as Yelp, to get an inside look at how each dentist treats their patients. While you should expect to see a few negative reviews (it’s impossible to please everyone), stay away from dentists that have a lot of bad reviews.

Schedule a Consultation

Set up an initial consultation with one or two dentists. During this appointment, make sure you learn more about the dentist and ask plenty of questions, such as “How much experience do you have?”, “Do you have the proper licensing and insurance?”, “Do you accept my insurance?”, “What type of treatment do you recommend for me?”.

Most importantly, you want to feel comfortable with any dentist you visit. If you don’t feel at ease in the chair—no matter how skilled the dentist is, you may want to keep looking for a better fit.

Don’t Settle for Cheapest Choice 

It’s a bad idea to pick the cheapest dentist you find just because you want to save money. If a dentist charges next-to-nothing, they probably won’t offer quality services. Spending a bit of extra money is worth the healthier teeth that come with it.

Do You Need a Dental Referral to See an Orthodontist?

No.

Most orthodontists don’t require a dental referral. You can simply find an orthodontist in your area (by following the same steps above), set up an appointment, and get started on your treatment.

But that doesn’t mean you should skip the dentist and go straight to the orthodontist. Remember, an orthodontist won’t be able to give you braces until your teeth are healthy. So if you have cavities or other oral health issues, an orthodontist will actually send you to a dentist first anyway.

What to Expect From Your First Orthodontist Appointment

You won’t get your braces during your first visit with the orthodontist.

Instead, the orthodontist will take a look at your teeth and measure their spacing. After this, they’ll talk to you about the placement of your teeth, what type of braces will work best for you, and how long the treatment will take. They’ll put together a plan then, during your next appointment, you can get your braces.

You should use this first appointment to talk about any questions or concerns you have about the process.

For example, are you worried that getting braces will hurt? Bring it up with the orthodontist. They will be able to explain what to expect and help you deal with any anxiety. (Also, you won’t feel any pain when getting braces, so don’t worry!)

Straighten Your Smile Today

Are you ready to get braces and straighten your teeth? Whether you have a dental referral or not, you shouldn’t hesitate to set up an appointment with our office. Give us a call at (405) 321-1926 today or reach out through our website.

We are looking forward to being by your side as you transform your smile (and boost your confidence!).

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Patient Testimonials

Hear what Our Patients Are Saying About
Their Experience With Us

stephanie S.
Dr. Streight is amazing and thinks outside of the box of orthodontics! He listens to your concerns and makes sure to discuss all possibilities before implementing a plan. I interviewed many orthodontists before landing here. I have five children and wanted to make sure I was comfortable with our choice. Now that we have used Dr Streight for two years, we could not be happier ! He is truly a problem solver and did wonders for us. Many orthodontists wanted to take the quickest and easiest route to restore my kiddos’ mouths; however he manipulated the palate over time and and created space for growth and movement in their mouths without the immediate pull of teeth while
preventing surgeries and long term damage. He is a master at his profession. Thank you for lifetime of healthy, happy teeth and smiles!
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to leave us a great 5-star review!
Ila F.
The doctors and staff are professional and kind! Any issues have been immediately responded to and we have been very pleased with our child's care.
devinsellers
5 stars is an understatement
I feel like more than a patient when im there
Very thoughtful very helpful
Willing to work with my busy schedule
I've been going there for almost 3 years now and have yet to have a bad experience
10 out of 10 would recommend
Response from the owner:Hi Devin. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you feel valued and supported during your visits. It's great to know that our team has been able to accommodate your schedule and provide a positive experience over the years. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to continuing to serve you!
Joe A.
My daughter is very happy with her smile after her braces were off. We are very pleased with the outcome.
Response from the owner:Hi Joe. Thank you for sharing your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that your daughter is so happy with her new smile. It's always rewarding to see such positive outcomes, and we appreciate your support!
Adam M.
Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Easy to understand every step and get started that day with a journey to a better smile.
Response from the owner:Hi Adam. Thank you for your fantastic feedback! We're so glad to hear that our team made your experience enjoyable and clear. Your journey to a better smile is important to us, and we appreciate your support!
Hilary D.
Patient & kind staff. My kids were stoked to get t-shirts & play games while waiting.
Response from the owner:Hi Hilary. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're delighted to hear that our team made your visit enjoyable for both you and your kids. Creating a welcoming environment is important to us, and it's great to know that the t-shirts and games added to the fun. We appreciate your feedback!
Michelle B.
Such great staff and extremely attentive to making sure my treatment is effective. Love coming in!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Michelle! We're thrilled to hear that our staff has made a positive impact on your treatment experience. We look forward to seeing you at your next visit!
Rachel A.
We have been seeing Dr. Craig and Dr. Streight for about 18 months. They were recommended to us by several others, as well as our dentist. We have had a very positive experience. We are hopefully almost done, and our next child is starting to see them now as well. We are confident he is in good hands.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star review!
Mike C.
Did us a solid job. We agreed on a price and they held up their end. No complaints.
Response from the owner:Hey Mike. Thank you for your feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience and that everything went smoothly. Your satisfaction is important to us, and we appreciate your support!
Vanessa Monik R.
First, I am extremely thankful and happy with the customer service here at Craig & Streight orthodontics! After going to a total of 3 different Orthos, I decided CSO was perfect for my needs. I was able to get my braces on same day and they tailored a payment schedule to my budget. Kari and Ryan listened to me and answered all my questions. Thank you everyone! A BIG Thank you to the gal that applied my braces. I look forward to this journey with CSO!
Response from the owner:Hi Vanessa. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that our team was able to meet your needs and make your journey with braces a positive one. Your kind words about Kari, Ryan, and our staff mean a lot to us. We’re excited to support you every step of the way!
Alyssa C.
My kids and I had a great experience! The staff was informative, the new technology was impressive, and the pricing was very reasonable. We were in and out quickly with a same-day consultation, and they were able to start the services my son needed right away. Plus, the fun arcade games kept the kids entertained while we waited. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Hi Alyssa. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that you and your kids enjoyed your visit and found our staff informative and our technology impressive. It's great to know that the quick service and entertainment options made your time with us enjoyable. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back!
Jen K.
They are always encouraging and give her such positive feedback each time my daughter scans for her invisaline. Every step of the process has been excellent
Response from the owner:Hi Jen. Thank you for sharing your experience! It’s wonderful to hear that your daughter is receiving such positive encouragement throughout her Invisalign journey. We’re dedicated to making every step a great one, and your feedback truly motivates us to keep up the good work!
Susn J.
The best Orthodontist office you’ll ever find. Everyone goes above and beyond to help! Can’t imagine going anywhere else! The kids love going!
Response from the owner:Hi Susan. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you and your kids have such a positive experience with our team. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels supported. We appreciate your trust in us and look forward to continuing to provide exceptional care!
Rachel D.
We went in for a consultation after a horrible consultation with another orthodontist and let me say Dr. Craig and her staff are absolutely AMAZING!! My daughter was super hesitant after the previous encounter with the other orthodontist but the staff here at Craig and Streight are top notch! They immediately eased my daughter's mind with their kindness! Went in for a consultation walked out with braces and a great office to take care of her dental needs! Thank you!!!
Response from the owner:Hi Rachel. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that Dr. Craig and our team were able to provide such a positive and reassuring environment for your daughter. It's wonderful to know that we could help ease her concerns and support her dental journey. We appreciate your trust in us and look forward to continuing to care for your family's needs!
kammy B.
Very kind very observant always asking and answering questions best dentist visit I’ve had by far
Response from the owner:Hi Kammy. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that our team made your visit so positive and engaging.

Our locations

Norman Office

706 24th Ave NW
Norman, OK 73069

Mustang Office

1476 N Mustang Rd
Mustang, OK 73064

South Oklahoma City

12100 S Western Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73170

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706 24th Ave NW
Norman, OK 73069

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Mustang, OK 73064
12100 S Western Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73170

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