By using methods such as Invisalign and braces, the orthodontist will be able to straighten the patient's teeth over time and also solve any bite or crooked tooth problems, including overbites and underbites. In addition, all orthodontists are also qualified dentists. In some situations, you'll have to take care of the repair work first. People who have chips or cracks in their teeth may need to have them repaired first.
Some orthodontic procedures put pressure on the teeth. If you have cavities where the dental appliances will be placed, repairs will need to be done first. To solve these problems, orthodontists are experienced in knowing how the teeth will move over time and where they should move to alleviate pain or align to form a perfect smile. Dentists and orthodontists are two types of doctors who have extensive practice diagnosing and treating oral health conditions.
Orthodontic work takes time to see results, but repair work can usually be done as quickly as desired. While orthodontists can do all the things that dentists specialize in, and sometimes perform things like repairing teeth, x-rays, and modeling dentures, the practice of orthodontics focuses primarily on the alignment of teeth. If you wear braces to straighten your teeth or correct another dental problem, your orthodontist may place molar bands on your back teeth. If you need to repair your teeth, such as fillings, crowns, root canals, veneers, or adhesives, you may be able to handle those repairs during orthodontic treatment, as long as the procedures don't get in the way of each other.
For specific problems related to the alignment of the teeth, the bite, or the jaw, what you need is the additional experience and training of an orthodontist. We recommend that you find an orthodontist in your area who is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists. Certified orthodontists are trained to diagnose and treat oral health conditions of the teeth, gums, and mouth. Orthodontists also often pursue a pre-dental or pre-medical specialization in their undergraduate degree before entering dental school.
If your orthodontist also offers repair work, rest assured that he is well qualified to deal with both general dentistry and orthodontics. The dentist can diagnose and treat dental pain, tooth decay, tooth repair, and tooth extraction. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between how your dentist can help you and when you should go to the orthodontist, so we've broken it down for you. An orthodontist uses braces, retainers, Invisalign and other dental appliances to realign the jaws and teeth, making it easier to chew and improve the aesthetic outcome.
Orthodontists can identify missing teeth, impacted teeth, disharmony in the jaw, and many other growth problems that dentists don't detect, so if detected early enough, there are often ways to correct or improve these relationships before children reach adolescence. If repairing your teeth before work is largely cosmetic, such as the stains that will cover the veneers, you may want to do orthodontics first.
