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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

Whitney M.
They didn’t rush to put braces on my son. They were up front about everything. The staff is always very friendly and easy to contact in case of an emergency.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the positive feedback. We are honored to serve each and every one of our patients!
Michael L.
Very comfortable environment and staff explains everything to both the patient and the parent. Can’t say enough good things about them.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you found our environment comfortable and that our staff took the time to explain everything clearly. Your positive feedback means a lot to us, and we’re here to support you whenever you need.
Jenifer G.
It was absolutely wonderful. Dr. Craig went above and beyond to make sure nothing was painful and they turned out wonderful.
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive visit and that our team made your care comfortable and effective. Your feedback inspires us to continue providing exceptional service. We look forward to seeing you again!
Shelbey T.
I’m a pretty calm and low-maintenance person: I show up when I’m supposed to, I sit quietly, respond kindly, ask questions if I have any, etc. There are some places where it makes people uncomfortable and my experience is awkward, but that isn’t an issue here.

Staff are knowledgeable and kind, and they’re capable of appropriately communicating with a wide range of age groups. It’s a calm place, and I really appreciate that - not only for me but for any kiddos who might feel anxious about braces.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful feedback! We're delighted to hear that you found our environment calm and welcoming. It's wonderful to know that our team is effectively connecting with patients of all ages. Your insights motivate us to keep providing a supportive atmosphere for everyone. We look forward to your next visit!
Tina A.
I love the care I have been receiving at Craig and Streight Orthodontics!!! The Dr's are outstanding and the staff is amazing!!! I will recommend all of my friends and family for braces, invisalign, and/or whitening!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the positive feedback. We are honored to serve each and every one of our patients!
D S.
They are all very attentive and accommodating! Dr. Straight is AWESOME!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We appreciate your kind words about Dr. Streight. We look forward to seeing you again! :)
Phyllis E.
Currently, 3 generations under their care. Grandmother, mother, and two grandchildren. Very impressed.
Response from the owner:It’s fantastic to hear that multiple generations of your family are under our care. We truly appreciate your trust in us and are delighted to know that you’re impressed with our services. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Christine K.
I’ve had a great experience here and would highly recommend Craig & Streight to anyone!
Response from the owner:Hey Christine. We’re delighted to hear that you’ve had such a positive experience with us. Thank you for your recommendation; it truly means a lot to our team!
Tyler P.
Dr. Craig is wonderful! My son is now having his smile perfected by her. My teeth are still beautiful to this day, 21 years later, thanks to Dr. Craig! Her staff is wonderful and what an amazing facility. Thank you!
Response from the owner:Hi Tyler! We’re thrilled to hear about your positive experiences with Dr. Craig and our team. It’s wonderful to know that both you and your son are benefiting from our care. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback; it truly means a lot to us!
Dani S.
Dr Craig and her staff are always so kind and caring. They provided a way to communicate with them outside of regular hours in case of urgent matters and are quick to respond. I am also thrilled with the result and have the smile I have always wanted.
Response from the owner:Hi Dani. We’re glad you had such a positive experience during your recent appointment with our orthodontic practice. We are committed to serving our patients and your feedback helps us to continue to do so. Thanks!
Skyler K.
It was my first time here and the staff was extremely kind and informative. I went ahead and made the decision to get Invisalign here as an adult! Makayla was knowledgeable, kind and enjoyable to talk with, I feel confident in my Invisalign process. I recommend this place!
Kailee H.
They were so easy to work with. The staff was so amazing. I would recommend Craig and Streight to everyone.
Response from the owner:Thank you Kailee for your fantastic feedback! We're delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience with our team. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to serving you again!
Fernanda G.
I had a great experience, everyone was very nice, I’m excited to go back!
Response from the owner:Hey Fernanda. We’re glad you had such a positive experience during your recent appointment with our orthodontic practice. We are committed to serving our patients and your feedback helps us to continue to do so. Thanks!
Destiny M.
First experience with braces. The staff put us at ease and answered our questions
Response from the owner:Hi Destiny. Thanks for your positive review! It’s our goal to deliver a great patient experience every day.
Twyla C
Moved to OKC and called around a few places. Decided to go with Craig and Streight and glad I did. Myself and my son have braces. Everyone is super nice and we always have a great experience.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that you and your son are having a great experience with us. Our team is dedicated to providing a welcoming environment, and it’s fantastic to know you feel that way. If you ever have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out!

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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Norman, OK 73069

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Mustang, OK 73064
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