An Orthodontist has a lot more training than a Dentist

You may love your family dentist, and he or she may have told you that they can "do your braces" for a lot less money than an orthodontist. While this is very nice, it's also a big gamble. On the ArchWired.com message board, we have read about many people who got braces done by a regular dentist who didn't really understand how complicated their case was. These people wound up needing to go to an orthodontist for more years of braces to un-do the faulty work of the dentist.Orthodontists are specially trained in tooth movement and jaw function; dentists are not. Yes, some dentists have taken a few course hours to learn how to do Invisalign or other types of treatment, but that is not the main thing that they do. Would you get heart surgery from a doctor who only operated on hearts once or twice a year? Of course not! Orthodontists first go to dental school and become dentists. Then they attend an Orthodontic program for several more years to learn specifically about tooth movement, jaw function, and facial aesthetics. After that, they take a special exam to become Board Certified.Which brings me to another point: when you choose an orthodontist, make sure that he or she is Board Certified. That way, you are assured that they are totally trained, and that their work is expected to live up to certain standards.Does this mean that a regular general dentist should never do braces? No. Some general dentists have successfully treated many patients for simple tooth movement. It's all a matter of experience. Ask your dentist how many orthodontic cases he has done in the past year. Ask how complicated your case is. Remember, braces will not only straighten your teeth, they can change the function of your bite and the mechanics of your jaw. If your treatment is complicated and is not done properly, you may wind up needing to go to an orthodontist to finish the job, which will cost you more money in the long run.

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Benefits of Orthodontics

Signs that braces may be needed
   
    -crooked or overlapping of teeth
    
    -buck teeth (over-jet) or inability to close lips

    -upper front teeth cover the lower teeth    
      excessively (over-bite)
     
  -gummy smile or lower teeth bite on palate 

    -spacing of teeth

    -upper front teeth are behind lower front teeth  
     (under-bite)

    -upper and lower teeth don’t touch when biting 
     (open-bite)

    -difficulty in chewing or cleaning of teeth 

    The benefits of early treatment

 -influence jaw growth in a positive manner  

-harmonize width of the dental arches                        

                       

 -improve eruption patterns

 -lower risks of trauma to protruded upper 

   incisors

 -correct harmful oral habits

 -improve aesthetics and self-esteem

 -simplify and /or shorten treatment time for later corrective orthodontics

 -reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth  

                         

 -improve some speech problems

 -preserve or gain space for erupting   permanent teeth                     

                                   

                        

Early orthodontic screening can lead to simpler, more effective treatment for

dental patients or, at least, greater peace of mind

James T. Lee, D.D.S.

(213)481-0820