If you’re considering orthodontic treatment for yourself or for your child, it’s important to learn about the types of providers available.
Orthodontists are specialists in moving teeth. All orthodontists are also dentists, but only 6% of dentists are orthodontists. In an orthodontic office, the main procedure they offer to patients is straightening teeth and aligning jaws.
A general or family dentist performs a wide variety of procedures including cleaning your teeth, fillings, crowns and other restorative and cosmetic procedures. In some cases a general dentist will perform limited orthodontics, usually on simple cases and often using Invisalign therapy.
How do you choose the right option for you or your teenager? Keep reading to find out more!
Specialized Orthodontics Training
Orthodontists first attend dental school, then they continue on for extensive orthodontic training and residency after dental school to specialize in the movement of teeth. While they don’t practice general dentistry, they are fully trained in all procedures as a regular dentist is. This helps them understand all aspects of oral health, and integrate tooth movement with other dental concerns.
Why does it take so much specialized training and schooling to move teeth?
Moving teeth is an extremely technique sensitive procedure. If a doctor isn’t well-trained, things can go badly wrong causing extreme pain and discomfort, and in severe cases tooth-loss. It’s critical for a doctor to understand how to move teeth to protect patients and keep them safe.
Orthodontists are also specially trained in treating children for early-intervention therapy, and teenagers for Invisalign treatment and braces. It’s important to see a specialist because they have a robust understanding of the growth patterns of children’s jaws, and how that will affect moving their teeth into a proper position.
General Dentists and Orthodontics
With the innovation of Invisalign clear aligners, many general dentists offer treatment in their office. Because general dentists also perform a wide range of other procedures, they usually treat a relatively small number of Invisalign cases per year.
They are not specially trained in treating children or teenagers with orthodontics and understanding their jaw growth patterns – so if you’re seeking orthodontic care for your kids, it’s critical to bring them to a specialist.
If you’re an adult seeking orthodontics, your general dentist may have spoken to you about Invisalign treatment. In choosing whether to see them or see a specialist for your treatment, it’s important to consider how challenging your case is. The tricky part of this is, as a patient you may not know how difficult your case is! Sometimes cases that look fairly simple can be tricky, whereas other cases that look like they’d be challenging can be surprisingly straightforward.
If you think you have an easy case and want to be treated by your general dentist, it may be worth seeking out a 2nd opinion from an orthodontist just to be sure it’s not more complicated than it seems.
In the end if you opt to be treated by your general dentist, be sure to ask questions about their experience including how many cases they’ve treated and how frequently they treat cases. Ask to see some of their finished cases and before/after photos.
Choosing the Right Orthodontic Provider for You
Always do your research before starting orthodontic treatment. Make sure you’re going to a doctor with the best experience to treat you and/or your children. Ask lots of questions, and don’t be afraid to get 2nd and 3rd opinions.
I’m proud to be a seasoned orthodontist, and also 1 of the leading experts in Invisalign therapy in North America. I’ve treated over 3300 teenagers and adults with Invisalign, and thousands more orthodontic cases in braces. I love helping my patients get the smile of their dreams!
My orthodontic practices are conveniently located in Los Altos, and San Jose. We serve patients from across the Bay Area in the Peninsula and the South Bay from cities including Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Santa Clara, Morgan Hill, Redwood City, Menlo Park, Palo Alto and more!
We have a fantastic team with extensive experience – give us a call today for a complimentary consultation! We can help with financing your orthodontic treatment, maximizing your insurance benefits, and creating the perfect treatment plan and timeline for you or your child. Come visit our newly built office in Los Altos, we’d love to see you!
