What is an Orthodontist?

An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Orthodontists use braces, retainers and other appliances to align teeth and jaws to improve both appearance and function.

Orthodontists treat patients of all ages, but many patients are between the ages of 9 and 14. During this time, permanent teeth are coming in and crowding may occur. Early treatment can prevent more serious problems from developing later on.

What is an Orthodontist?

Orthodontists are dental specialists who diagnose and treat patients with improper alignment of the teeth and jaws. They use dental appliances, such as braces, to straighten teeth and adjust the bite.

Orthodontists first complete dental school, which takes four years. After dental school, they then complete an orthodontic residency program, which takes two to three years. During their residency, they learn how to diagnose and treat improper bites and tooth alignment problems. They also learn how to make dental appliances, such as braces and retainers.

Orthodontists treat patients of all ages. However, orthodontic treatment is most successful when it is started early in life. This is because the bones and teeth are still growing at this age, and they are more responsive to treatment.

What do Orthodontists do?

Orthodontists are dental specialists who diagnose and treat dental and facial irregularities. They receive an extra two to three years of education beyond dental school to learn their trade.

Orthodontists use braces, retainers, and other appliances to move teeth, align jaws, and shape smiles. Because treatment can be lengthy, it is important to choose an orthodontist you feel comfortable with.

What conditions do Orthodontists treat?

An orthodontist is a specialist who has undergone an extra two to three years of training after graduation from dental school. They are concerned with the alignment of teeth and jaws, and the correction of any bite problems.

Orthodontists use a variety of methods to straighten teeth, including:
-Braces: Braces are the most common type of orthodontic treatment. They use metal brackets that are glued to your teeth, and connected with wires. The wires are adjusted periodically to gradually move your teeth into the desired position.
-Clear aligners: Clear aligners are clear plastic trays that fit over your teeth. They gently move your teeth into place over time.
-Headgear: Headgear is worn at night and attaches to your braces or aligners to help guide your teeth and jaws into the correct position.

Orthodontists also treat conditions such as:
-Crowding: Crowding occurs when there is not enough space in your mouth for all of your teeth. This can happen if your teeth are too large, or if your jaw is too small.
-Spacing: Spacing occurs when there are gaps between your teeth. This can be caused by missing teeth, or by having smaller than average teeth.
-Overbite: An overbite occurs when your upper teeth bite over your lower teeth. This can be caused by genetics, bad habits (such as thumb sucking), or incorrect jaw alignment.
-Underbite: An underbite occurs when your lower teeth bite in front of your upper teeth. This can also be caused by genetics, bad habits, or incorrect jaw alignment.

Why see an Orthodontist?

Most people see an orthodontist because their teeth are not aligned properly and they want to have them fixed. However, there are other reasons why people might see an orthodontist. Here are some common reasons:

-To correct an overbite, underbite, or crossbite
-To close gaps between teeth
-To align crowded teeth
-To improve the function of teeth and jaws
-To improve appearance

There are many different types of braces that an orthodontist can use to straighten teeth. The type of braces that is right for you will depend on your individual situation. Your orthodontist will discuss the options with you and help you make the best decision.

When to see an Orthodontist?

We all want to have a healthy and beautiful smile. Unfortunately, not everyone is born with perfectly aligned teeth. If your teeth are crowded, too far apart, or have gaps, you may be considering orthodontic treatment to improve the appearance of your smile.Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The word “orthodontics” comes from the Greek words “orthos”, meaning “straight or proper”, and “dontos” meaning “teeth”.

An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed an accredited orthodontic education program following graduation from dental school. Orthodontists specialize in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. They use braces, corrective devices and appliances to move teeth into their proper position so that you can have a healthy and beautiful smile.

Most people think they need to see an orthodontist when they are children or teenagers. However, adults also benefit from orthodontic treatment. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), one in five patients seeking orthodontic treatment is over the age of 18 years old.

There are many different types of braces that an orthodontist can use to straighten your teeth:

  • Metal Braces: Traditional metal braces are made of high-grade stainless steel or titanium alloys. They are small, strong and very effective at straightening teeth. Today’s metal braces are much smaller and less noticeable than they used to be.
  • Clear Braces: Clear braces are made of ceramic materials that blend in with your natural tooth color making them less visible than metal braces. They work just as well as metal braces but may cost slightly more.
  • Invisalign®: Invisalign is a clear aligner system that uses a series of clear plastic aligners to straighten your teeth without the use of brackets or wires. Invisalign® aligners are almost invisible so they are a popular choice for adults who want to straighten their teeth without anyone knowing they are doing it!
  • Self-Ligating Braces: Self-ligating braces use special clips instead of elastics (rubber bands) to hold the archwire in place during treatment. These brackets require less adjustments during treatment which means fewer appointments for you!

How often to see an Orthodontist?

Orthodontists are specially trained to identify, diagnose and correct misalignments of the teeth and jaws. They may use removable or fixed appliances, or a combination of both, to move teeth, retrain muscles and affect the growth of the jaws.

The severity of the misalignment will dictate how long treatment will take and how often you will need to see the orthodontist. In general, you can expect to see your orthodontist every 4-8 weeks for adjustments. If you have a severe misalignment, you may need to see your orthodontist more frequently in the beginning of treatment.

What happens at an Orthodontist appointment?

Your first appointment will last about an hour. During this time, the orthodontist will:

-Review your medical and dental history forms
-Conduct a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, bite and jaws
-Take photographs and X-rays of your mouth and face
-Discuss your treatment options and proposed treatment plan with you
He or she will also talk to you about what you can expect during treatment and how long it is likely to take. You will then have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

What to expect after seeing an Orthodontist?

The first thing you can expect after seeing an orthodontist is a full evaluation. This will help the orthodontist determine what treatments will work best for you. They will also ask about your medical history and any previous orthodontic treatment you have had. You can expect to have X-rays taken and molds made of your teeth