You may wonder whether you should see an Orthodontist or Dentist for straightening teeth or other alignment problems. This may be helpful to you in making a decision.
Orthodontist or Dentist, what’s the difference?
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, but if you have a problem, say with your heart, then you would want to see a cardiologist who specializes in that field. Your family doctor has a good overall understanding of general health, but isn’t fully qualified to treat some of the more complex diseases or conditions. It’s the same with whether to see an Orthodontist or Dentist when addressing a specialty area such as teeth straightening. A Dentist is going to be your go-to for your overall oral health needs, but you would want to see a specialist, i.e., Orthodontist, for more specialized issues such as crooked teeth, bite problems, malocclusions, and jaw issues.
Orthodontist or Dentist, which one is a better choice?
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 bite and jaw problems aren’t addressed skillfully and accurately, they can continue to cause problems late into life and lead to gum disease, tooth loss, etc.
Does it cost more to go to an Orthodontist or Dentist?
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.
What’s the Difference Between an Orthodontist and a Board Certified Orthodontist?
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 are required to submit cases of patients that they have treated and receive feedback from their peers. Not only that, but to remain Board Certified, an Orthodontist has to continue to seek additional training and recertify every 10 years.
What Does This Mean to You?
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 so that he can provide the highest level of care to his patients.
This is the highest level of achievement that an Orthodontist can obtain and requires a mastery level of competence. You can rest assured that no matter how severe your case might be, that 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 any potentially future health problems will be identified and the correct action taken to prevent them from happening.
State of the Art Technology
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.
Invisalign Elite Provider
Dr. Taylor is also the only Orthodontist in the Valley that is an Invisalign™ Elite Provider. For doctors to be awarded this status they must be considered in the top 5% of quality and the number of patients they have treated with Invisalign. This designation means that you or your child will be getting the absolute highest level of treatment.
Free Consultation
We always provide a Free Consultation to our new patients. We are happy to offer a complete exam so that we can go over the best possible treatment options for you or your child.
We strive to create a fun environment for the kids and 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 because 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!
