When you need braces and are deciding between a general dentist or an orthodontist, you may wonder if it matters who provides the treatment. The answer is yes; it matters. Orthodontists are dentists who received extensive additional training in straightening teeth and correcting a misaligned bite. They are educated in addressing structural issues of the jaw, and soft tissue of the mouth. They do so by considering your general health and medical history. Orthodontists specialize in providing orthodontic treatment exclusively. They do not perform general dental procedures such as cleanings, fillings or crowns. At Glow Orthodontics, we solely focus on treating patients with misaligned jaws or teeth, developing detailed plans for moving teeth through bone, and doing it in a way that gives you the beautiful smile you envision.
Let’s talk about the complexity of orthodontics
If you wonder which doctor to choose, think about the complexity of orthodontic care. Orthodontists specialize in the prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. This includes problems such as:
- Crowded teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Teeth that don’t meet normally
- Teeth that are too far forward or behind other teeth
- Jaws that are misaligned
Our orthodontists know which treatment is most effective and efficient for each patient and their specific issues. An orthodontist’s education and experience uniquely inform whether clear aligners or braces are recommended. Neither appliance is a one-size-fits-all proposition. Both types of appliances also entail sophisticated advanced planning.
Extensive planning is key to achieving the best possible results. Your Glow orthodontist evaluates the position and health of every tooth in your mouth, determines how each one must move to reach your desired results. This allows them to precisely plot every small step that’s needed to make each targeted tooth gradually move through your jawbone and into its new position.
Whether you choose clear aligners or traditional braces, our plan must be meticulous. Diagnostic records are used to create the trays used to align your teeth. And if you choose traditional braces, our plan determines how we adjust and tighten and replace the wires on your braces, adjusting the pressure in a way that exerts pressure on the tooth into the next step toward its ultimate position.
Properly moving your teeth requires a level of skill and expertise that’s only obtained through experience and extensive orthodontic training.
Both dentists and orthodontists start their dental careers by completing a general dental program with an introductory course in orthodontics; dentists complete the program and then start a general practice. However, dentists who want to practice orthodontics continue to complete two to three additional years of training. This advanced training focuses solely on orthodontics, learning the proper way to align teeth and jaws, correct a bite, and achieve exceptional results with braces and other orthodontic appliances. Some complicated cases require braces with surgery to correct severe problems.
Choosing an orthodontist vs a dentist
Deciding to get braces is a major investment of time, money, and effort, not to mention, some minor discomfort. For the best results on this investment, select an orthodontist who has the skill and experience to provide top quality treatment every step of the way.
If you have any questions about the dental problems you face and whether you need a general dentist or an orthodontist, call Glow Orthodontics, or schedule an appointment online, so we can assess the problem and make our best recommendation.
