We can all agree that visiting a dentist is not something most people enjoy. However, it is necessary to do it at least twice a year. Still, seeing an orthodontist is not the same as going to a dentist, mainly because people use terms interchangeably.
Even though both professionals have certain similarities, orthodontia is a specific aspect of dental care. Even though they treat particular aspects of dental issues, you may never require orthodontist care.
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However, if you do, you will understand the differences. In the further article, we wish to present everything you should know and expect from a professional.
Let us start from the beginning.
What is an Orthodontist?
Generally, dentists work a wide array of mouthparts, including nerves, gums, teeth, jaw, and mouth. On the other hand, orthodontists are specialists in the specific field of straightening your teeth.
Therefore, every single orthodontist is a dentist, but not all dentists are orthodontists, which is an important consideration to remember.
A professional diagnoses occlusions, overbites, jaws, misaligned teeth, and overcrowded mouth. A specialist will diagnose depending on your current situation and help you solve potential issues from getting worse than they currently are.
If you leave it untreated, open bites, underbites, and crossbites will become more problematic as time goes by. As a result, you should find an expert to help you along the way.
We have mentioned above that orthodontists must undergo regular dental training, which means four years of classes until graduation.
Some dentists decide to start with practice soon after they graduate, but if you wish to become the one, you will not be able to do it right away.
It would be best if you underwent more classes to become an orthodontist, including obtaining a license. In almost any dental school, you should pass at least two to three training years before you can become a licensed and qualified aligning professional.
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What Should You Expect from an Orthodontist?
After visiting a dentist, you will undergo a regular checkup that will help you determine the best course of action. Still, you may have to see a specialist to help you align your teeth, especially if you have these issues.
In most cases, you will get a recommendation for braces or use other straightening methods that will help your teeth align. Remember that an essential aspect of a job is if a professional is trying to identify your mouth and teeth issues.
Having a gap such as a diastema will increase as time passes, affecting your other healthy teeth, gums, and mouth structure. At the same time, an orthodontist will try to use the alignment method to correct the issue and align them closer together.,
Besides, having too many teeth is a problem as well, especially for children. Therefore, an orthodontist will have to extract additional teeth to leave space for others to develop.
Most of them use specific methods to help you deal with alignment issues. The most common and popular solution includes braces, which are bands that will fit each tooth. Afterward, a specialist will bond brackets in front of them and connect them with wires.
That way, you will achieve upright alignment, strengthen them in time. Even though it is not a quick procedure, you will get a better and more appealing look in six months to a few years, depending on specific circumstances.
In some cases, you will not be able to use braces but another aligner option that will provide you peace of mind. The most popular and effective option is Invisalign, which is not visible from a distance. Therefore, your smile will stay attractive as before.
Since this aligning option does not use brackets and metal wires, you can easily remove them in specific situations.
In severe cases, a specialist can treat patients by using a palate expander that will widen the upper jaw arch, which will provide you more space than before.
Another option includes a more dramatic solution or headgear, which you can connect on the back of your head. Its purpose is to pull back teeth at the front while reducing the growth of the upper one.
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Final Word
If general dentists state that you should visit an orthodontist, you should prepare for an appointment. Remember that a process is similar and almost identical to regular professionals, but a specialist will check out your underbites and overbites.
Of course, more problematic treatments require a few appointments, which is something you should remember. In case you need braces, a first appointment is all about diagnosing an issue. The next step is to take X-rays and preparatory a session.
The third appointment will require installing braces, while you must visit them regularly to ensure that everything functions properly.
At the end of the process, a dentist will remove them. The overall process depends on the severity of the situation, but it will not go over three years.