Who is an orthodontist?
Orthodontists are dentists with special training in identifying, preventing, and treating issues with the teeth and jaw. Orthodontists work with children as well as adults. After dental school, orthodontists complete a two- or three-year residency program, furthering their training in specialized procedures. They concentrate on two fields:
- Orthodontics: The study of moving teeth safely and correctly.
- Dentofacial orthopedics: The survey of effectively directing facial, jaw, and tooth growth.
While dentists and orthodontists collaborate to help you improve your overall oral health, despite their numerous similarities, they operate in entirely different ways. Dentists address a wide variety of oral health problems. Orthodontists are dental specialists with expertise in straightening teeth and aligning jaws.
After completing their education, aspirants must pass a national written exam and a clinical licensure exam to practice. They must also fulfill continuing education requirements for their careers to maintain their licenses and stay updated with the most recent advancements in science and medicine. Additional postgraduate training is necessary to become a dental specialist, such as orthodontics, periodontists, or oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Orthodontists can pursue board certification after completing their training. This certification is optional in the United States.
When should you see an orthodontist?
People typically see an orthodontist when they want to improve the appearance of their smile. They can see children as young as seven years. In addition to cosmetic benefits, an orthodontist offers treatments to improve chewing function and oral health. You can schedule an appointment if you feel concerned about the appearance or functioning of your teeth. Some problems treated by orthodontists near you are:
- Crooked teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Impacted teeth (partially or fully trapped in the jawbone)
- Overlapping teeth
- Overjet (upper teeth protruding outward and sitting over the bottom teeth)
- Underbite (lower teeth protruding further than the upper teeth)
Some of the treatments offered by orthodontists are listed below:
- Braces involve brackets, bands, and wires to help shift teeth into the desired position over time. You can choose various braces, from traditional metal to clear (ceramic) braces.
- Clear aligners are considered a popular alternative to braces. Instead of utilizing brackets and wires to straighten the teeth, a set of clear aligner trays is made and replaced every one to two weeks.
- Retainers help prevent teeth from drifting out after using braces or clear aligners. Based on the treatment results, the orthodontist will recommend a retainer duration.
- Palate expanders help in widening the upper jaw. This tool creates extra space, eliminating the need for tooth extractions in children.
The orthodontist may suggest corrective surgery if dental appliances do not give the desired results in cases of underbite or overbite. The procedure could include wires, surgical screws, and plates to extend or shorten the jaw bone.
Visiting an orthodontist near you can have many advantages. When your teeth are aligned, it is easier to chew, speak clearly, and keep them clean. Moreover, orthodontic treatment can help ease pain in temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) cases and reduce the risk of developing gum disease, cavities, or various other dental problems.
What can you expect at an orthodontic visit?
Your orthodontist will begin your first appointment by asking about your medical and dental history. Bring along your previous dental records, including X-rays and other imaging tests. The next step is an oral examination and imaging tests to see if any issues remained undetected in the initial assessment. These steps will help your orthodontist understand your concerns and derive the best treatment plan. The process is quite similar to visiting your dentist.
Orthodontic treatment is unsuitable for those with untreated dental problems like gum disease or cavities. If anything of this nature arises in the oral examination, the orthodontist will recommend that you resolve these issues before receiving orthodontic care. After completing the assessment, the orthodontist will create a treatment plan, including what method to use and how long it will take to achieve the desired results. A comprehensive treatment plan will also help you understand what to expect from the orthodontist. It would be the ideal time to ask any questions that you may have regarding the procedure, insurance, and payment options.
At the end of the consultation, the orthodontist will ask you to schedule your later appointments at intervals specified in the treatment plan. While scheduling, remember that you need sufficient time to prepare yourself before the visit and rest afterward.
Questions to ask your orthodontist during the first appointment
If you are considering getting orthodontic care for yourself, your child, or another family member, you may have many doubts and queries. As mentioned, the orthodontist will reserve enough time to address your questions, so please do not hesitate to ask anything. You must have all the information you need to make the right decision. If you need ideas, here is a comprehensive list of questions you can consider asking:
Questions about the orthodontist's expertise and experience
- What is your education and training background?
- How long have you been in practice?
- Have you treated patients with similar issues as me?
Questions about orthodontic treatment
- What is the recommended age for orthodontic treatment?
- What are my treatment options? What, in your opinion, is the best plan for me and why?
- How long will it take to resolve my issues?
- How often will I need to visit for follow-ups?
- Is orthodontic treatment painful and uncomfortable?
- Will you remove any teeth before starting treatment?
- Will it be challenging for me to eat and speak appropriately with braces?
- Could you let me know about any risks involved with orthodontic treatment?
Questions about care during and after orthodontic treatment
- Do I need to avoid any foods while my orthodontic treatment is ongoing?
- Will I need to make any lifestyle changes?
- How can I maintain oral hygiene during the treatment?
- Can you discuss post-treatment retainers? Will I need to wear them, and why?
How to improve your oral hygiene?
Good dental hygiene protects your teeth, gums, and smile, helping prevent most oral issues. Follow these general hygiene guidelines to maintain good oral health:
- Brush your teeth twice daily: Opt for a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, as brushes with medium or firm bristles can harm the gums and tooth enamel. When brushing, position the toothbrush at an angle of 45 degrees toward your gums. It helps to clean the plaque and germs near the gum line. Remember to clean the sides and backs of your teeth as well.
- Floss once daily: The areas between your teeth are difficult to clean with simple brushing. You require dental floss to clean these areas. Pick a piece of floss about 18 inches long and wrap each of the ends around your middle fingers. Guide the floss between two teeth using your thumbs and forefingers. Use ten up-and-down strokes to thoroughly clean one tooth after tightly wrapping the floss around it in a C shape. Repeat the process on all your teeth. Use dental picks and interproximal brushes to clean in between your teeth if you have dexterity concerns.
- Brush your tongue: Your tongue acts as a sponge for microorganisms. Remember to thoroughly clean your tongue when brushing your teeth with a toothbrush or a tongue scraper.
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash daily: Antibacterial mouthwash helps prevent dangerous oral bacteria. It lessens plaque accumulation and washes away food and debris. To avoid dry mouth, choose a formula free of alcohol.
- Avoid using tobacco products and smoking: Smoking is the primary leading cause of oral cancer and gum disease. It is better to avoid these practices entirely. Ask your healthcare provider about available treatment options if you currently smoke and wish to stop.
Finding the best orthodontist near you in Austin, TX
Finding the best orthodontists for your medical needs is much easier with Zocdoc. With Zocdoc, you can search among the best orthodontists in Austin, Texas. Just enter your condition, location, date, and insurance plan, and the website will direct you to a list of orthodontists nearby.
All practitioners on Zocdoc have dedicated profiles, which contain information about a practitioner's education, training, specialty, location, affiliations, and interests. You can also check the verified patient reviews before selecting a practitioner. By specifying your insurance plan from the website's drop-down menu, Zocdoc helps you find in-network orthodontists.
On the contrary, if you do not have an insurance plan, you can mention "I'm paying for myself" in the search bar. After confirming that you are ready to pay out-of-pocket, you will receive an extensive list of providers accepting patients without insurance. You can follow the same steps if you have insurance but want to avoid using it to book your appointment. Do you have any more related queries? Please read our insurance FAQs on the Zocdoc patient help center page.
Depending on the practitioner's availability, you can schedule appointments on the same day, up to 24 hours in advance, or even after 5 pm.
All appointment bookings are fast, free, and secure!
Oral health statistics in Texas
Texas has seen significant advancements in oral health. About 81% of children between the ages of 1 and 17 visited a dentist in 2018. Most Texas children enrolled in the Medicaid and CHIP programs (close to 69%) make yearly visits. Despite the state's significant wins, many obstacles remain to overcome.
According to the Texas Health Institute, 11.6% of adults and 7.5% of children nationwide have poor or fair oral health. Texas ranks 39th out of 41 reported states for children with dental caries (tooth decay) and 35th for dental caries that are left untreated despite a sizable number of kids who visit the dentist annually.
Other issues with public health exacerbate the burden of oral disease in Texas. 18% of teenagers drink sugary beverages once a week, damaging tooth enamel. Health experts in the state are concerned about behaviors like tobacco, alcohol, and drug use since they can raise the risk of oral health problems and diseases. Furthermore, from 2014 to 2017, fewer Texans (69%) received fluoridated water than they did in 2014. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one of the top ten public health innovations of the 20th century is fluoridated water (water that has had fluoride added). It promotes strong enamel, reduces the need for fillings and tooth extractions, and can prevent cavities by 25%.
Sources
WebMD
MouthHealthy
Orthodontics Australia
Texas Impact
White Greer Maggard Orthodontics
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
ProSmiles Orthodontics
Milnor Orthodontics
