Giving Dental Patients the Orthodontic Care They Are Looking For

There is little doubt that the orthodontic industry is growing rapidly. Recent projections suggest that the clear aligners alone make up a $4.66 billion sector globally, and it is forecasted to grow to $28.15 billion by 2032.

Some believe that such resounding growth can be attributed to a rise in desire for an aesthetically pleasing smile. Others think it’s a matter of increased patient exposure and education about the functional benefits of orthodontic care. Either way, it’s clear that people want greater access to orthodontic services. And as a dental professional, you have an opportunity to fulfill that need by adding orthodontics to your practice. 

Doing so can enhance patient satisfaction and treatment outcomes while offering significant benefits for your practice in the following ways below.

Meeting Patient Needs

Offering orthodontics in your practice allows you to better meet your patients’ needs and preferences for dental care. They lead busy lives and may not have the time to find or even see several specialists to care for their oral health as a result. Having more of their dental needs met under one roof can save them a lot of time, frustration, and potential transportation costs.

Additionally, offering general dentistry and orthodontics in the same practice is highly convenient for families with children and teens. Having the same dental professional taking care of everyone’s oral health reduces the number of appointments that children need and the number of dental professionals they need to interact with. That, in turn, enhances the patient experience by increasing comfort levels and reducing anxieties that often surround oral care.

Improving Treatment Outcomes

Offering orthodontics in your dental practice allows you to gain a more comprehensive view of your patients’ oral health, which results in more accurate diagnoses and more thorough and integrated forms of treatment. You’ll be able to customize treatment plans better to each patient’s needs instead of basing care to some degree on the decisions of other professionals. The result is quality orthodontic care that can significantly improve outcomes for your patients. 

For instance, you’ll have the skills to diagnose and treat malocclusions by way of several solutions, including braces and clear aligners. Closing hard-to-reach spaces where food and debris can build up makes home care easier and helps reduce patients’ risks of cavities and gum disease. It can also prevent stress and wear on tooth enamel, bone, gum tissue, and jaws, allowing for a proactive approach against future dental issues.

Enhancing Patient Relationships

Strong doctor-patient relationships are paramount because they increase patient comfort and help reduce stress before appointments. One way you can strengthen these connections is by offering a greater selection of services. The more you can do for your patients’ oral health, the more they will see you as a trusted member of their oral care journey. And that trust fosters increased patient loyalty.

Providing a wider range of care for your patients also shows how much you care about them and their need for more convenient care options, which can result in a more positive view of your practice and encourage patients to refer their friends and families to you.

Building Long-Term Patient Retention

Orthodontic treatment is a long-term process. A patient in need of metal braces may be with you for one to three years, for instance, given the length of the alignment process.

During these longer treatment plans, patients are less likely to switch providers because they’ve already started things with you. Over time, they’ll place more trust in you, making it more likely that they’ll stay with your practice for future treatment and offer positive word-of-mouth reviews and referrals, as mentioned earlier.

Additionally, when you make it easy and convenient for patients to get care, you’re more likely to retain entire families. Not only are you providing long-term care for the adults, but you’ll also get the satisfaction that comes with caring for subsequent generations. Providing multigenerational care deepens relationships and keeps your practice from always having to seek out new patients to stay afloat.

Enhance patient satisfaction and grow your practice with orthodontic services.

When you offer orthodontic services in your practice, you’ll be able to meet patients’ need for convenient treatment while ensuring better outcomes and more comprehensive care. You’ll also have the opportunity to strengthen your relationships with patients and their families, leading to a more loyal patient base and more predictable revenue for your practice.

If you’re looking to enhance your practice in this way, the American Orthodontic Society offers orthodontics courses at various levels, from basic to advanced, that are designed to meet you where you are and help you incorporate these in-demand skills into your practice with ease. Contact us today to learn about our upcoming courses and how we can help you expand your services.