Your Dental Health Resource Magazine will periodically feature articles that discuss and feature a specific dental specialty, providing insight into their education, focus and dental treatments they offer.
What is an Orthodontist?
Orthodontists specialize in correcting crooked or misaligned teeth and incorrect bite issues related to jaw discrepancies. Upon completion of dental school, dentists apply for highly coveted spots to receive specialty training for two to three years. This is just the beginning of lifelong continued education to remain current in the field of orthodontics.
Orthodontists may recommend growth modification treatment for patients who are 8 to 12 years of age or recommend starting treatment when all permanent teeth have erupted. Treatment is individually planned to address such problems as jaw size discrepancies, spacing, crowding, impacted teeth, unerupted teeth, rotated teeth and other issues affecting the bite. Adults may have similar issues that can be addressed with traditional braces or more extensive treatment requiring surgical procedures.
Orthodontists use many different types of appliances to correct the bite utilizing the latest technological advances in materials, equipment and processes. Clear brackets, metal brackets, lingual brackets, or clear aligners such as Invisalign may be an option for some patients. Treatment time can vary from six months to two years. The end result is a beautiful, healthy smile that lasts for a lifetime.
