A visit to an orthodontist is often the first step towards achieving a beautiful and healthy smile. Orthodontists play a pivotal role in helping individuals find the perfect solution to oral health problems. This article explains what an orthodontist and dentofacial orthopedist is, the journey to becoming one, and how they can help you achieve the perfect smile and healthy, functional bite you’ve been searching for.
Defining an Orthodontist
An orthodontist is a dental professional who has pursued advanced specialized training to become an expert in diagnosing and treating irregularities of the teeth and jaws. Their role is crucial in helping individuals achieve better oral health through orthodontic treatment. Expanding upon their foundational dental knowledge, orthodontists engage in additional education and training, concentrating exclusively on the field of orthodontic care. This specialized training allows them to correct misaligned teeth and jaws, improving a person’s smile and their bite for healthy, effective function.
Orthodontists and dentists collaborate within the field of oral health. While general dentistry addresses a wide spectrum of dental concerns, orthodontists specialize in straightening teeth and aligning jaws. Orthodontists use a variety of tools and appliances, including braces, clear aligners, and retainers to achieve the best outcomes. The partnership between the orthodontist and dentist ensures comprehensive care, where each professional’s expertise complements the other to improve patients’ dental well-being.
One of the primary objectives of orthodontic treatment is to correct malocclusions or misaligned bites, which can interfere with eating and speaking. Orthodontists also work to prevent potential problems by examining a patient’s teeth and jaws and monitoring their development. This allows orthodontists to identify issues early on and provide timely treatment to correct current issues and prevent future problems.
A straight, well-aligned smile can significantly impact an individual’s self-esteem, making orthodontic care valuable in promoting overall well-being and confidence.
Defining Dentofacial Orthopedics
Orthodontists are also considered dentofacial orthopedists. Dentofacial orthopedics focuses on guiding the growth of the face and jaws, how the bones and tissues of the face work together, and how they impact function and appearance. AAO orthodontists’ expertise in dentofacial orthopedics allows them to effectively correct malocclusions and monitor jaw growth in its early stages.
The Journey to Becoming an Orthodontist
Becoming an orthodontist is a challenging yet rewarding journey that requires years of education, training, and dedication. It begins with an undergraduate college education, and many aspiring orthodontists focus their studies on pre-dental or science-related fields such as biology, chemistry, or health sciences. The next step is to attend an accredited dental school, which typically requires four years of study. Their education culminates in a two to three-year orthodontic residency program that combines advanced coursework with hands-on clinical experience treating patients under supervision.
Services Provided by Orthodontists
Orthodontists help with problems like crowded or spaced teeth, abnormal bites, and jaw issues. Using diagnostic records, orthodontists create customized treatment plans for their patients to achieve the best results. These treatment plans also outline what tools or orthodontic appliances may be used.
Learn More About Orthodontic Treatments
Why You Should Choose an AAO Orthodontist for Treatment
Orthodontists are extensively trained specialists renowned for their expertise in delivering orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic care. With over a decade of rigorous higher education and practical experience, orthodontists stand as the sole professionals equipped to safely and efficiently address misalignments of teeth or jaws, fostering both aesthetic beauty and optimal functionality for their patients’ smiles and overall oral health.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is a professional organization open only to qualified orthodontists. By choosing an AAO orthodontist for your treatment, you are ensuring that you receive care from a specialist with the expertise and experience to deliver the best possible results.
