Very recently, I was having a conversation with an associate of mine regarding orthodontist in our area. His main concern was that his son's dentist suggested that they begin treatment with Invisalign Teen without recommending an orthodontic consult. Being that I have experience in both orthodontics and dentistry, not to mention the fact that both my daughter and I have received orthodontic treatment, I decided that this was the perfect opportunity to help pass along information that was given to me to my associate as well as help others who are currently looking for advice on making proper orthodontic care decisions.
The first issue I wanted to address was non-orthodontists performing orthodontic treatments. In general, no orthodontic treatment should ever be done by someone who is not a certified orthodontist. Even if you choose to receive orthodontic care with your dentist, it would be a mistake to not consult an orthodontist prior to beginning your orthodontic procedure. Failing to consult an orthodontist can result in a an extended orthodontic treatment if anything goes wrong. Keep in mind that most orthodontists perform a complimentary initial consultation exams so there is no reason to not, at the very least, verify that their treatment recommendation aligns with that of your dentist.
The fact of the matter is that certified orthodontists are required to complete at least two years of post-doctoral training. These programs are accredited by the American Dental Association and the training is vigorous. In this program, your orthodontist studies the physics and bio-mechanics of tooth movement as well as how to balance facial irregularities. They also learn to use the equipment, software, and techniques, designed specifically for orthodontists, which give them far more precision in creating a treatment plan than your standard dentist.
Another orthodontic tip I will share with you is always ask your friends, family, and co-workers for a recommendation. You may be surprised how many of them have undergone some sort of orthodontic treatment. Give extra credence to those who strongly suggest their own orthodontist. Next, make sure that you visit the websites of the suggested orthodontists to verify that they are indeed certified. Unfortunately, almost 40% of those who practice orthodontics are not even board certified! This means they have no formal training in the specialty of orthodontics.
When I underwent orthodontic treatment, my orthodontist recommended the Invisalign system and the results were fantastic. Surprisingly, he opted to follow a different mode of treatment for my daughter. Instead of Invisalign, he suggested that we go the route of lingual braces. Lingual braces, which are braces behind the teeth, are not visible and would allow much greater control over tooth movement, thereby yielding the desired outcome my daughter desired. Don't get me wrong, Invisalign is a fantastic innovation in orthodontic appliances, they were simply not the recommended treatment for my daughter. Remember, every smile is different. I'd like to conclude by saying that I am no orthodontist, and frankly, neither is your dentist, so if you are the person looking for Invisalign or any other orthodontic treatment, do yourself a favor and ask your dentist for a referral.
Author Resource:
For the best Orthodontics please visit Seligman Orthodontics and for Dentist Marketing please visit Solutions By Design.
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