You may wonder whether you should see an Orthodontist or Dentist for straightening teeth or other alignment problems. The following may be helpful to you in making a decision.
Orthodontics, the technology for straightening teeth, is a specialty. All orthodontists are dentists, but all dentists are not orthodontists. To become an Orthodontist, a Dentist must attend two to three more years of school and complete a residency.
You may see your family doctor for most of your basic health needs and many illnesses. Yet, if you have a problem — with your heart, for example — then you would see a cardiologist. A specialist can treat more complex diseases or conditions.
It’s the same with seeing an orthodontist versus a dentist. Your dentist would be the go-to for your general oral health needs. But for specialized issues, you’ll want to see an orthodontist. These issues may include crooked teeth, bite problems, malocclusions, and jaw issues.
Many Dentists do offer treatment plans for straightening teeth however they will not have the mastery or level of competence in this field that an orthodontist does.
For example, some Dentists offer Invisalign treatment for straightening teeth. It’s not unusual for a new patient to come to us because their Dentist has told them that they aren’t a good candidate for Invisalign because their case is too severe. Often, we find that the patient IS a good candidate for Invisalign but the Dentist didn’t have the specialty training or advanced skills to be able to handle a more complicated case.
An Orthodontist is an expert when it comes to problems with crooked teeth, gaps, overcrowding and misalignment of teeth.
Additionally, they specialize in overbites, underbites, and crossbites. An Orthodontist is also skilled in jaw and craniofacial bone structure. For example, some malocclusions can cause the face to actually grow asymmetrically. If we don’t address bite and jaw problems skillfully and accurately, they can continue to cause problems late into life and lead to gum disease, tooth loss, etc.
Usually the costs are about the same, but not always. At A Perfect Smile Orthodontics, we offer very competitive pricing, interest-free financing with no credit checks, and we accept most dental insurance plans.
Five percent of Dentists are Orthodontists, but only one percent are Board Certified. Per the American Board of Orthodontics, “Board Certification is a voluntary credential that represents an orthodontist’s personal and public commitment to the standards of specialty practice and lifelong learning. The ABO Certification process requires the completion of peer-developed, externally validated written and clinical examinations. A Board Certified Orthodontist has reached this level of achievement by pursuing additional voluntary education and ongoing self-assessment.”
The American Board of Orthodontics is the only orthodontic specialty board recognized by both the American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontists. For more information on Board Certification requirements, Click Here: https://www.americanboardortho.com/general-public/what-is-a-board-certified-orthodontist/
To become Board Certified requires hundreds of hours of additional education. Orthodontists must submit cases of patients they have treated and receive feedback from their peers. Additionally, to remain Board Certified, an Orthodontist has to continue to seek additional training and re-certify every 10 years. Read more about this here.
The decision to become a Board Certified Orthodontist is voluntary, and one that Dr. Taylor takes seriously. He chooses to continue his education and subject himself to the rigorous process of Board Certification. By doing so, he can provide the highest level of care to his patients.
Board Certification is the highest level of achievement that an Orthodontist can obtain and requires a mastery level of competence. Rest assured that no matter how severe your case might be, you are getting the best possible care in the Rio Grande Valley. Dr. Taylor not only treats more common types of orthodontics issues, but also is an expert in craniofacial anatomy.
When you bring your child to A Perfect Smile for treatment, you can be confident that we will identify any potential future health problems and take the correct action to prevent them.
Because Dr. Taylor is a Board Certified Orthodontist, he stays up to date on the latest technology and is able to pass that on to his patients. Board Certified Orthodontists are involved in each others’ cases and are able to share experiences and learning. From a patient perspective, this offers additional advantages in care and confidence.
When you choose an Invisalign doctor, experience is important. To help you, Invisalign provides a ranking system to classify providers’ experience based on the number of cases they treat in a month or year. Dr. Taylor is a top Invisalign provider, which means he has a great deal of experience with a wide variety of patients.
At A Perfect Smile Orthodontics, we always provide a Free Consultation to our new patients. With that consultation, we are happy to offer a complete exam so that we can go over the best possible treatment options for you or your child.
Additionally, we strive to create a fun environment for the kids. They are welcome to enjoy movies and other games so that they look forward to coming in for their health needs.
We offer the best possible treatment and a warm and caring environment. After all, we want our patients to be satisfied, confident, and happy! Give us a call today and come in and see what all the fuss is about at no cost to you!
“Dr. T & the whole staff are amazing, warm & caring environment. I get to see my baby smile now. Shes has gained so much confidence since starting treatment. Love you all & thank you so much.” -Cassandra W.
“10/10 overall experience, staff is very gentle & friendly. My teeth look great! 😁” – Kimberley N.
“I always had a great experience during my appointments, was always treated nicely and all the staff were very respectful and kind to me. They did a great job on my smile, and I’m so happy with the outcome!” – Paulina M.
These are just some reasons we’re the best orthodontist in the Rio Grande Valley.
But don’t just take our word for it. Read our reviews, then come in and find out how easy it can be to get a perfect smile!
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about your orthodontic health. Simply call us at 956.630.6166, or complete the form below and we'll get back to you.
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Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about your orthodontic health.
Simply call us at 956.630.6166, or complete the form and we’ll get back to you.
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