The mouth is a complicated place, full of teeth, tissues, and tendons that all need attention. For some, bi-annual visits to the dentist to maintain good oral health provides all the attention the mouth needs. For many others, good oral health will eventually include orthodontics.

What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a specialized field of dentistry that focuses on straightening teeth. Your orthodontist is also a specialist in issues related to the alignment of your teeth in relation to the jaw (also known as the bite).

How does someone become an orthodontist?

In addition to completing dental school, an orthodontist will continue their training with a post-doctoral degree. All told, your orthodontist has at least ten years of secondary schooling. This includes (at a minimum) four years of undergraduate study, four years of graduate study, and two years of post-graduate study.

Undergraduate study

Most dental programs do not require any specific major in undergraduate programs, but there are benefits to taking a science-heavy course load. Most dental schools require specific courses. Students who enter without them will need to take them in dental school before they can begin their regular study.

Graduate study

After undergraduate work, students interested in orthodontics will then progress to graduate work, earning either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree. In the last two years of their four-year program, students will complete a clinical rotation.

Post-doctoral work

For dentists interested in orthodontics, their study continues in an accredited post-doctoral orthodontist’s specialty program, where they will earn a Master of Science degree in orthodontics. These programs may take up to three years to complete and include classwork, research, and a clinical rotation.

All prospective dentists and orthodontists must pass state licensing exams as well as National Board Dental Examinations. Orthodontists must have a license in their area of specialization. The American Board of Orthodontics also issues certifications for orthodontists.

What does an orthodontist do?

Orthodontists are primarily responsible for diagnosing and correcting issues dealing with the bite (malocclusions). To do this, their most visible calling card is traditional braces, but an orthodontist might also use:

Part of the job of an orthodontist is to determine how severe the correction is. They then make the treatment plan as effective and efficient as possible. This means monitoring the patient’s treatment (e.g., braces, palate expanders), tracking their progress and making needed adjustments, and removing the treatment when complete. Regular checkups to the orthodontist are necessary to make sure that retainers and any other prescribed appliances are being used properly.

For children, there is some debate as to whether or not braces should be applied to baby teeth. In some cases, an orthodontist will apply braces for a period of time during elementary school, remove them for a couple years, and then reapply in middle school. Every person’s needs are different. Your orthodontist is there to make sure you get care that is tailored to your specific needs.

The field of orthodontics goes beyond a mouth full of metal. Many orthodontists work closely with primary care physicians in the diagnosis of medical issues including:

When these issues require surgery, an orthodontist will refer a patient to an oral surgeon. Before and after surgery, orthodontists work closely with the surgeon to diagnose the problem, plan appropriate treatment, and monitor recovery.

Are there differences between orthodontist vs. dentist?

Just as an orthodontist would not perform the work of an oral surgeon, there are important differences between orthodontists vs. dentists.

  • All orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists: Orthodontists went through specialized training beyond dental school
  • They focus on different things: Dentists focus primarily on oral hygiene and cosmetic services like veneers, while orthodontists work towards straightening and correcting alignment and bite (for functional and cosmetic purposes)
  • They both look for decay: Orthodontists may not treat tooth decay during their treatment, but they work closely with the dentist to monitor the overall health of a patient’s teeth
  • Dentists can monitor but are not licensed to apply orthodontic treatments: Even for simple procedures, dentists are not licensed to apply any treatments related to orthodontics

While this last distinction seems to downplay the importance of dentists, dentists are a crucial part of the success of orthodontic procedures. They will be the first professionals to recognize any abnormalities in bite or teeth eruptions that may require orthodontics. Dentists are also able to spot loose orthodontia, early decay, and other issues in oral health. These can all affect the success of orthodontic treatment.

What should I expect?

Once you get a referral for orthodontic treatment, your evaluation procedure will be fairly standard. Your orthodontist will conduct a complete visual exam to begin, followed by a thorough physical examination. This will include not only a hands-on evaluation of your bite but also other tests like X-rays and plaster molds of teeth.

After completing all of these tests, they’ll develop a treatment plan, along with a timeline for treatment and what you can reasonably expect from it. If specialists need to treat an underlying condition (or perform surgery), your orthodontist will make the necessary referrals and include those procedures in your timeline.

How can I find an orthodontist near me?

Finding an orthodontist can seem daunting, but there are plenty of resources to help you. Start by asking family and friends for referrals, then check out sites like the American Board of Orthodontics orthodontist locator. Using Healthgrades to find an orthodontist in your state is also a great way to get not only names of potential practitioners but also patient reviews. And, if you’re in Scottsdale or the greater Phoenix area, AZ Dentist is your orthodontist!

Call us today to receive a full examination and to discuss options for treatment!

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