HomeOrthodonticsWhen to Choose a Family Dentist Over an Orthodontist
25May
When to Choose a Family Dentist Over an Orthodontist
by Dr Richard Barry
When it comes to maintaining your smile and overall oral health, regularly scheduled dentist appointments can make all the difference. Yet, there are times when you potentially need additional treatments beyond those preventive exams and cleanings. When this occurs, it helps to know when to choose a family dentist over an orthodontist.
The Differences Between a Family Dentist and an Orthodontist
The more you know about the differences between a family dentist and an orthodontist, the easier your decision can be when it comes to which one to choose for your dental needs.
Family Dentist
A family dentist provides a wide range of services and procedures for everyone in your household, including children and seniors.
Overall, your family dentist is your go-to for all dental health-related issues, including gum disease, tooth decay, broken or cracked teeth, and oral cancer. They can also refer you to other trusted specialists, such as orthodontists, whenever necessary.
Orthodontist
While the orthodontist is also a dentist, they are highly specialized and provide only certain services and treatments to patients.
To be more specific, an orthodontist specializes in jaw alignment and moving teeth into proper placement. Offered procedures usually include correcting the following:
gaps between teeth,
crowded or protruding teeth,
bite issues, such as overbites, underbites, and crossbites,
spacing issues, and
jaw misalignment.
Patients usually seek the help of an orthodontist if they want to improve their smile, experience serious problems with crooked, overcrowded, or misaligned teeth, or their teeth in some way affect the ability to chew food or speak properly.
When to Choose a Family Dentist Over an Orthodontist
When it comes to whether you should choose a family dentist over an orthodontist, first consider what the issue is, its cause, and what you are hoping to achieve with treatment.
In general, contact your family dentist for any of the following situations:
You want to maintain the health of your gums and teeth (preventive care)
You have concerns over the health of your mouth in general
You believe you may have tooth decay, a cavity, loose filling, or gum disease
You wish to improve the look of your smile
In many instances, your family dentist will provide a variety of helpful services, such as preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry, to care for whatever needs arise throughout the year. The advantage to this is that your dentist already knows about your oral health and previous issues and treatments and can facilitate a faster review and better solutions geared toward your circumstances.
There are times, however, when answering the question of whether to choose a family dentist over an orthodontist can be challenging. You may be looking for beneficial solutions to help your child’s teeth align more properly, or you yourself have a misalignment and wish to have a straighter smile.
Fortunately, your family dentist may be able to help with these, offering certain orthodontic services which will be beneficial. For example, here at Lifetime Dental Health, we offer our families two orthodontic options – Invisalign and a Six Months Smiles® System.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a short-term treatment for straightening teeth with the use of clear, removable aligners. You simply remove them when you need to drink, eat, or brush your teeth. These aligners are a good option for adults who are looking for something other than traditional braces.
Six Months Smiles® System
Our Six Month Smiles® System is for those patients 16 and older and consists of wearing clear braces to align those teeth that are most visible when you smile. These teeth are easier to adjust than the molars situated further back in your mouth, so you’ll only need to wear the braces for six months to achieve positive results.
These clear braces are a great option for those experiencing:
crowded, gapped, or misaligned teeth in the “smile zone,”
a misalignment of previous orthodontic work, or
a desire to obtain a straighter smile without requiring traditional braces.
While there are advantages to choosing a family dentist who offers orthodontic treatments, much will depend upon your own particular circumstances. Start by scheduling an informational consultation with your dentist to gain an overview of your current dental health and the options available to you.
Contact Lifetime Dental Health – Your Family Dentist in Columbus
When it comes to all your family’s dental needs, look no further than Lifetime Dental Health, located here in Columbus. We not only provide preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry services but also offer orthodontic solutions for those wishing to improve their smile. Contact our Columbus office today to find out more and see what options are right for you.
health, regularly scheduled dentist appointments can make all the difference. Yet, there are times when you potentially need additional treatments beyond those preventive exams and cleanings. When this occurs, it helps to know when to choose a family dentist over an orthodontist.