What is an Orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of abnormal teeth and jaws. They improve existing circumstances and are educated to identify potential problems in the future. Best orthodontist Carencro LA works with patients of various ages, including children and adults.
People frequently connect a flawless smile with excellent health. It's true that your oral health affects your overall well-being. Malocclusion, or misaligned teeth, can cause tooth decay, gum disease, and difficult or uncomfortable chewing.
However, not everyone is born with straight teeth. If you have a faulty bite or a significant gap between your teeth, you should see an orthodontic specialist.
What Do Orthodontists Do?
Orthodontists utilize permanent and removable dental devices such as braces, retainers, and bands to adjust the position of your teeth. Orthodontic treatment addresses dental problems such as:
– Crooked teeth.
– Bite issues, such as an overbite or underbite.
– Teeth that are crowded or too widely apart
– Jaw misalignment.
Orthodontic treatment aims to enhance your bite. Teeth that are straight and evenly spaced will align with opposing teeth in the jaw.A healthy bite allows you to eat, chew, and speak appropriately. While you may think of orthodontists as primarily treating children and teenagers who require braces, they may treat tooth problems at any age.
Education & Training
Orthodontist versus Dentist.
Orthodontists go to college, dentistry school, and orthodontic school. Following graduation, students complete a two or three-year orthodontic residency program. This additional training is necessary because most dental schools provide only limited orthodontic teaching. All orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists.
Orthodontic residency programs provide comprehensive, specialized teaching to dental specialists. They focus on two areas:
Orthodontics: How to move teeth properly and safely.
Dentofacialorthopedics: How to correctly direct development in the teeth, jaw, and face.
After completing their training, an orthodontist can pursue board certification. In the United States, this certification is voluntary.
Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment
Correcting a dental malocclusion can involve:
– Make biting, eating, and talking easier.
– Enhance the symmetry of your face and general attractiveness.
– Relieve pain from temporomandibular joint diseases.
– Separate your teeth and make them easier to clean, hence preventing tooth decay or cavities.
What to Expect at the Orthodontist.
A dentist is generally the first to identify crooked teeth during a routine inspection. If your back teeth do not fit together properly, your dentist may recommend you see a best orthodontist Carencro LA. During your initial orthodontic consultation, you will probably have:
– An oral examination.
– Photos of your face and grin.
– Dental X-rays
– Panoramic (360 degree) X-rays of the face and head
– Impressions for creating molds of your teeth.
