What is
Orthodontics?
An orthodontist is a dental specialist in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.
This advanced training includes studies in genetics, embryology, human growth and development, and biophysics. Only dentists with this advanced specialty education can present themselves as specialists in orthodontics.
The full description is actually “Specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics,” but as this is rather cumbersome, "Specialist in Orthodontics" or simply "Orthodontist" is generally used.
Just as you trust a cardiologist for care of your heart or a dermatologist for care of your skin, you can trust an orthodontist for care of your face and smile.
This advanced training includes studies in genetics, embryology, human growth and development, and biophysics. Only dentists with this advanced specialty education can present themselves as specialists in orthodontics.
The full description is actually “Specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics,” but as this is rather cumbersome, "Specialist in Orthodontics" or simply "Orthodontist" is generally used.
Just as you trust a cardiologist for care of your heart or a dermatologist for care of your skin, you can trust an orthodontist for care of your face and smile.
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Who is a
Specialist in Orthodontics?
An orthodontist is a dental specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.
This advanced training includes studies in genetics, embryology, human growth and development, and biophysics. Only dentists with this advanced specialty education can present themselves as a specialist in orthodontics.
The full description is actually “Specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics” but as this is rather cumbersome, Specialist in Orthodontics or simply Orthodontist is generally used.
Just as you trust a cardiologist for care of your heart or a dermatologist for care of your skin you can trust an orthodontist for care of your face and smile.
Benefits of
Orthodontic Treatment
Many people consider orthodontic treatment because they see that the front teeth are crooked.
The orthodontist sees why the teeth are crooked and can provide treatment that will not only straighten the front teeth but also correct the underlying cause of the crooked teeth, improve the facial balance and provide a well-fitting, functional and stable bite.
Your bite is a complex biological system. Its components include up to 32 teeth, upper and lower jaws, gums, and multiple muscles that interact to make it all work. A well-fitting, functional and stable bite can improve biting, chewing and speaking and will decrease damage and wear to the teeth over a lifetime. Well aligned teeth are easier to clean and can help prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and loss of bone support.
A very significant benefit of orthodontic treatment that doesn’t get much attention is the psychological lift patients receive when they can eat quietly and comfortably in public, or when they can smile confidently instead of covering their mouth when smiling. This can have a huge impact on self-confidence and wellbeing.
Who Can Provide
Orthodontic Treatment?
Orthodontic treatment can be provided by any licenced dentist.
Although orthodontic treatment can be provided by a dentist, only Orthodontists are certified dentists that have additional training in an accredited Orthodontic Specialty Program. These programs are a minimum of 2 to 3 years of intensive training on comprehensive analysis of the individual’s whole face and facial features, and their relationship to healthy teeth and jaws. This allows Orthodontists to provide detailed diagnosis and treatment planning of crowded teeth, bad bites, and various jaw-size and functional discrepancies.
Due to the complex nature of orthodontics, while Family (or General) Dentists are permitted to perform orthodontic procedures, they often limit the treatment that they provide to cases of minor teeth alignment and/or minor spacing, if providing any orthodontic treatment at all. This is similar to other dental specialties such as Prosthodontics (crown and bridge) or Endodontics (root canals) which General Dentists can provide treatment for these areas up to the limit of what they feel their non-specialized competence allows.
For this reason, most General Dentists refer orthodontic treatment to Orthodontists, as Orthodontists are the recognized specialists that utilize their knowledge of growth and development to solve functional bite problems through alignment of the teeth and jaws. Pediatric dentists (another dental specialty) may sometimes provide early interceptive orthodontic treatment to some degree, mostly to maintain space in preparation for future comprehensive orthodontic care.
You trust your heart to your Cardiologist, and your skin to your Dermatologist so it makes sense to trust your face and your smile to your Orthodontist; they are the tooth moving & facial experts, and that's all they do all day & every day!
Do I Need
A Referral?
You do not need a referral from a family (general) dentist in order to see an orthodontist.
Your family dentist is trained to notice problems with the development of your teeth and jaws. Normally your dentist would be responsible for detecting such problems and then referring you to an orthodontist if she or he does not feel competent to treat these problems herself or himself.
It is perfectly acceptable to obtain the name of an orthodontist from friends, family, co-workers or through online searches and contact the orthodontic office directly.
If you do not have a family dentist, an orthodontist will offer to refer you to one, as the basics of general dental health must be in place before orthodontic treatment should proceed.
What Age
For Treatment?
You do not need a referral from a family (general) dentist in order to see an orthodontist.
Your family dentist is trained to notice problems with the development of your teeth and jaws. Normally your dentist would be responsible for detecting such problems and then referring you to an orthodontist if she or he does not feel competent to treat these problems herself or himself.
It is perfectly acceptable to obtain the name of an orthodontist from friends, family, co-workers or through online searches and contact the orthodontic office directly.
If you do not have a family dentist, an orthodontist will offer to refer you to one, as the basics of general dental health must be in place before orthodontic treatment should proceed.