Is an Orthodontist More Qualified Than a Dentist?
Dentistry is a broad term that covers oral health, more specifically the teeth, gums, jaw and mouth. Dentists will help you will more general treatments like fillings or teeth cleaning and are there to help you find the best treatment option.
Orthodontics is a specialised area of dentistry that focuses specifically on correcting tooth misalignment and bite problems. It could be that your dentist refers you to an orthodontist for this type of treatment.
Orthodontists are hugely important as issues like having teeth out of place or not having a comfortable bite can go on to cause further issues and affect your everyday life.
The importance of orthodontics
There are many different issues that orthodontists are trained specifically to treat. There are many benefits and treatments you may receive from an orthodontist such as:
- Correcting bite problems.
- Aligning upper and lower teeth to the correct position.
- Closing any spaces that could be having a negative impact on your teeth.
- Reducing the chances of damage coming to your teeth.
- Sorting out displaced or impacted teeth.
- Preparing for more advanced dental treatments (this could include bridges or crowns).
- Improving facial aesthetics.
It is important that your oral health is good and that if you do need it you are able to access the help you need and find the right treatment for you. You may be unsure if you need orthodontic treatment or may be unsure as to what treatment you need.
Below are some of the more common orthodontic treatments that may help you to understand why it is so essential.
Protruding teeth – A very common dental problem that can be fixed and should be.
Impacted teeth – This is a tooth that is stuck in the bone or tissue – which can happen for various reasons – and it can cause other issues, so, again it is important to fix.
Braces – This is probably up there with the most common treatments as around 200,000 people a year get braces in the UK. Braces can sort issues like tooth misalignment and bite issues which can have a negative impact.
Can braces change your face shape?
Any type of braces whether or not they are traditional metal braces or clear aligners or any other type, may change your face shape. This is not down to the type of braces but rather the amount of change that you will be making happen.
Of course, braces are not a cosmetic treatment and therefore are not designed to change your face but small changes like fuller lips after realigning your jaw may be noticeable to you.
Where some people feel that their face has changed a lot, others see no difference at all. Those who do notice a difference tend to have positive feedback about this aspect of their braces and feel much more confident after completing their treatment.
If you are at all concerned about braces changing the shape of your face too much, talk it through with your orthodontist as they are the professionals and will help you to find the right option for you.
Is an Orthodontist More Qualified Than a Dentist?
An orthodontist is not more qualified than a dentist they simply do different things. If you went to a dentist and asked about braces they would send you to the orthodontist and if you tried to make an appointment with an orthodontist for something like fillings they will send you to a dentist.
Both are equally qualified, their specific areas just differ slightly.
Orthodontic Treatment Options at Didsbury Dental Practice
At Didsbury Dental Practice we can offer you a range of orthodontic treatments. They can help improve your oral health in the long term by preventing further issues.
Below are just some of the orthodontic treatments that we can offer to you.
Damon Clear Braces
Damon clear braces are a type of orthodontic treatment that can straighten your teeth. The system uses a slide mechanism that takes away some of the pressure that is put on your teeth and allows them to move into the desired position much more comfortably.
Damon braces are almost completely transparent and will actually adapt to the natural colour of your teeth for discretion. This treatment takes fewer visits to your dental practice and is a far shorter process than what you would experience with traditional braces.
These braces can come in clear or if you prefer they can also come in metal. Usually, the Damon clear braces are used for the upper teeth and metal Damon braces on the lower teeth. This, of course, will depend on your specific wants and needs. So, if you choose to get Damon braces make sure to fully discuss the pros and cons of both with your dentist when making any decisions.
As a treatment for straightening your teeth, Damon braces are a great clinically proven treatment option that doesn’t usually require the extraction of any teeth.
Six-month smiles short-term aligners
Six Month Smiles is another system that gently moves your teeth into the correct position using a type of clear braces. And sometimes they work their magic in just 6 months.
The clear braces used by Six Month Smiles use clear brackets, practically invisible wires or sometimes clear plastic retainers. What exactly the Six Month Smiles treatment would entail for you would depend on your individual case.
These braces are as stated in the name for the short term. Along with being almost invisible, this makes it perfect for people with slight overcrowding or people who have had braces before but whose teeth have begun to move back. Although not always the case, these treatments are usually completed in around 6 months which is around a third of the time you would have traditional braces.
Six Month Smiles short-term orthodontics at Didsbury Dental Practice, Manchester can cost you as little as £28 a month so make sure to check it out if you are looking to regain some self-confidence through your smile.
Alias Lingual Braces
Another type of braces that can be a great choice for those who wish to be discrete are Alias lingual braces. These braces are probably the most hidden you will find. Instead of being on the front of your teeth, these braces are placed behind your teeth making them completely unnoticeable.
Lingual braces are made using non-allergenic gold using modern computer technology for the best results and maximum comfort throughout. To make your braces you will first have an impression taken off your teeth. This is then sent off to a dental laboratory and is used to make your custom braces.
Although this treatment takes a little longer than some others it is still a fantastic option as they are the ultimate secret braces and by hiding behind your teeth nobody will ever even know they are there unless you tell them.
Invisalign aligners
Invisalign treatment is a system used globally to straighten teeth. They are designed to slowly reposition your teeth to the desired place. The clear aligners are made using SmartTrack a specially designed flexible plastic created specifically for this treatment.
The clear aligners that you get with Invisalign treatment are extremely different from metal braces. Where traditional metal braces can only be removed by an orthodontist, Invisalign aligners are able to be removed easily by the patient themselves.
Unlike metal braces which are quite visibly obvious, Invisalign aligners really are practically invisible and unless you point them out it is unlikely that they will be noticed by anyone.
Didsbury Dental Practice
To learn more about Didsbury Dental Practice, visit our website here.
Click here to learn about our Invisalign treatment for adults and teenagers.
We offer a wide range of dental services, including teeth whitening, Alias lingual braces, Six Month Smiles Braces and Damon Clear Braces.
If you need an emergency appointment, call our dental emergency helpline on 0161 413 2835, or walk into our practice and we will aim to see you as soon as possible.
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