If you suffer from crooked or misaligned teeth, you may have considered going in for orthodontic treatment. However, this is an extensive field of dentistry, and can be very confusing for those who are not familiar with it. In addition to that, there are some myths that are associated with it that make it harder for many people to consider undergoing orthodontic treatment.
First of all, orthodontics is a specialized field of dentistry which deals mainly with correcting dental malpositioning and misaligned jaw patterns, particularly in the teeth. It is also believed that orthodontists can help you smile with confidence. However, it is important to understand that orthodontic treatments can only correct certain issues, and that it is not an all-encompassing treatment solution.
Many people think that the treatments offered by orthodontists are comparable to those provided by general practitioners. But this is not the case at all. In fact, orthodontists have much more sophisticated equipment than general practitioners use.
General practitioners often perform procedures using general anaesthetic, which means that they do not have to put patients under. This is one of the reasons why it is difficult for some people to consult general practitioners. They feel that they need to get immediate medical attention for their dental problems.
The orthodontist’s office is actually one of the most important parts of the clinic. They will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth, and recommend any treatment options available. The doctor will also provide you with a treatment program that includes regular visits to the orthodontist’s office. Sometimes this program will last as long as six months, but sometimes it can go up to two years depending on the severity of the problem you have.
On top of being more costly than general practitioners, orthodontists are also limited in the procedures they can perform. For example, if your teeth have become damaged due to trauma or old age, orthodontists can not correct the damages in such a manner that they will look exactly the same. So if your teeth have been damaged because of overbite, for example, orthodontists can’t give you braces that look.
However, in contrast to general practitioners, orthodontists use different tools to correct dental problems. Orthodontists use braces to correct the misalignment of teeth. General practitioners use tools like veneers to cover broken or chipped teeth. Braces are used to straighten teeth and fix jaw problems.
As you can see, the two types of dentists are different. You should make sure that you choose an orthodontist who has the equipment, training and education to treat your condition. Make sure that you ask him or her about the different treatments that the orthodontist provides, and how long each procedure will take.