Who is an orthodontist?
Oral health depends on your general well-being. Dentistry, a branch of medicine, focuses on addressing problems related to teeth, gums, and jaws. Misaligned teeth can lead to problems in all areas of the mouth, including tooth decay, gum diseases, and jaw pain. Good alignment of teeth and jaws is also essential to maintaining the aesthetics of the face. Orthodontists are dentists who have expertise in aligning teeth and jaws.
As dentists, they train in general dentistry and treat teeth, gums, tongue, and mouth diseases. To become orthodontists, they receive extra training in the orthodontic residency program and specialize in aligning teeth and jaws. Not all dentists are orthodontists.
Orthodontists train to prevent, diagnose, and treat teeth and jaw alignment issues in people of all ages, including children and adults. Compared to the past, orthodontists now train to correct dental problems at any age.
Education and training of an orthodontist
To become an orthodontist, one has to complete a pre-dentistry or pre-medical undergraduate degree, following which one can obtain a dental degree at an accredited dental school. After clearing the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE), a dentist can attend an orthodontic residency program for 2-3 years.
What problems do orthodontists treat?
- Malocclusion: Malocclusion, also known as "bad bite," occurs when your upper teeth don't align with your lower teeth correctly. The two sets don't align when you close your mouth. This change can be due to problems in the alignment of teeth or the jaws.
- Crooked teeth
- Bite problems: Some common bite problems are underbite or bulldog appearance (lower front teeth come in front of the upper front teeth), buck teeth, or overbite (occur when the upper front teeth protrude beyond the lower front teeth, causing the lower teeth to make contact with the roof of the mouth), crossbite (happens when the lower teeth position themselves inside the upper teeth), open bite (characterized by the upper and lower front teeth failing to meet even when the jaws are closed), crowding (teeth closely packed together), protrusion of the upper front teeth, and mismatched midlines of the upper and lower teeth.
- Misalignment of the jaws
- Problems regarding facial growth in kids include the bite and the jawline.
When should you see an orthodontist near you?
Make an appointment with an orthodontist immediately if you suffer from
- Difficulty with speech
- Difficulty in biting and chewing
- Teeth issues: protruding teeth, crowded teeth, misplaced teeth, and teeth that don't meet normally
- Jaw problems: jaws that make sounds, protrude or recess, and jaws that shift in the wrong direction while opening and closing the mouth
- Uneven facial symmetry
What kinds of treatment do orthodontists provide?
- Treatment with dental appliances: Orthodontists use fixed and removable devices to correct the teeth and jaws.
- Teeth straightening surgery: Orthognathic or teeth straightening surgery is a proactive treatment choice for individuals experiencing imbalances between their upper and lower jaws. This procedure involves repositioning one or both jawbones to align the teeth and address problems related to speaking, chewing, and biting.
- Corrective jaw surgery: Jaw surgery corrects irregularities in the jaw bones, realigns the jaw and teeth, and improves their functionality and facial appearance. Jaw surgery may be a viable corrective solution if orthodontics alone cannot resolve jaw problems.
What are the various dental tools used by dentists?
In orthodontics, different tools, some fixed and some removable, help move and shape teeth. These tools apply gentle pressure to teeth and jaws. The choice of tool depends on the severity of your dental issue.
Fixed devices:
1. Special fixed tools: Used to control habits like thumb sucking. Only used when necessary due to discomfort during meals.
2. Braces: The most common fixed appliances consisting of bands, wires, and brackets. They gradually move teeth by adjusting the wires. Today's braces are smaller, lighter, and less noticeable.
3. Fixed space maintainers: If a baby tooth is lost early, this appliance keeps the space open until the permanent tooth grows.
Removable devices:
1. Jaw repositioning devices: Splints are worn on the top or bottom jaw to train the jaw into a better position, especially for temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ).
2. Palatal expander: A plastic plate is applied to the roof or top of the mouth to widen the upper jaw. Outward pressure from screws helps expand the palatal area.
3. Lip and cheek bumpers: Designed to keep lips or cheeks away from the teeth, relieving pressure exerted by lip and cheek muscles.
4. Aligners: A modern alternative to braces, aligners are invisible and can be readily removed for brushing, eating, and flossing.
5. Removable retainers: These are worn on the roof of the mouth and avert teeth from shifting back to their previous positions.
6. Headgear: This device includes a strap around the back of the head connected to a face bow. It slows upper jaw growth and maintains the position of back teeth while front teeth are adjusted.
7. Removable space maintainers: Similar to fixed space maintainers, however, these are removable. They also perform the same function while offering the ease of removal.
What are the advantages of orthodontic treatment?
When teeth are misaligned, orthodontic treatment helps correct the bite, making chewing and speaking easier. Setting crooked teeth also helps clean the teeth better and thus helps prevent cavities. When jaws are misaligned, corrective orthodontic surgery helps ease the pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)—a joint that connects our lower jaw bone to the skull). Apart from these, orthodontic treatment helps improve the face's overall aesthetics.
What are the disadvantages of orthodontics?
Orthodontics has a notable drawback in the short term: Strict adherence to treatment guidelines and patience are required. Individual needs determine the duration of orthodontic treatment, which can range from less than a year to two years or more. Therefore, treatment times differ for each person. It is advisable to consult your orthodontist to gain clarity on the expected timeline.
Not exercising proper oral hygiene practices around orthodontic appliances increases the likelihood of cavities. To mitigate this risk, it is crucial to diligently adhere to the oral hygiene recommendations provided by your orthodontist.
What happens during the first orthodontic appointment?
When you visit an orthodontist, they begin by performing a detailed oral examination. The orthodontist then takes photos recording your face and smile and records dental X-rays and panoramic X-rays (2-dimensional X-rays of the upper and lower jaws and surrounding tissues).
Finally, a dental impression is made of the upper and lower teeth and jaws to create models.
Orthodontic appliances can cause mild discomfort initially, but they soon settle down as the mouth adjusts to the new devices. If the pain doesn't go away or increases, see your orthodontist and get the appliance readjusted.
The length of any treatment by an orthodontist depends on how severe the problem is. It can take a few months to two and a half years. For example, braces usually need adjustment every 4 to 6 weeks. In case of any changes, your orthodontist will inform you.
Who should avoid orthodontic treatment?
Individuals with dental problems such as extensive tooth decay or gum disease cannot undergo orthodontic treatment. Placing braces on teeth affected by these conditions can severely harm oral health.
Your primary care doctor may recommend consulting a dentist for appropriate treatment if you are experiencing cavities or gum disease. After successfully addressing these issues, it is advisable to consult your dentist to determine if orthodontic treatment is suitable for you.
What should you eat after orthodontic treatment, and what should you avoid?
An orthodontist recommends braces. It is one of the most popular orthodontic treatments used to align or straighten teeth as well as correct gaps, overbites, underbites, and other dental issues. When wearing braces, it is important to avoid some foods that could damage the braces or become stuck in them. Additionally, the mouth may be sensitive for a few days after an orthodontic appointment, so eating foods with a rigid texture could cause discomfort.
For the first few days after getting braces, orthodontists recommend sticking to soft foods. These include scrambled eggs, soup, pasta, yogurt, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, soft cheeses, cooked or soft vegetables, and grains. Foods to avoid include ice cream, thick bread or rolls, citrus, and spicy foods. It is also best to refrain from crunchy foods, including raw fruits and vegetables, popcorn, chips, and pizza crust as well as chewy or hard candies. Limiting sweet foods is also advised while wearing braces.
Aligners are another orthodontic treatment used to straighten crooked teeth. With aligners, dietary changes are usually unnecessary, as you can remove them when eating to enjoy your favorite foods. However, if you wear a fixed retainer, you should avoid hard foods like nuts, ice, and popcorn. Additionally, avoid eating anything that might get stuck between your teeth and the retainer or that could crack the retainer.
Treatments for malocclusion
The primary motivation for people to consult with an orthodontist is to address misalignment or malocclusion, often inherited and caused by variations in the size of the upper or lower jaw or between the jaw and teeth. Malocclusion can result in issues such as overcrowding of teeth, an irregular bite, or a malformed jaw. Orthodontists generally treat malocclusion using the following:
- Dental appliances or braces: Dental appliances like braces can be prepared using metal, ceramic, or plastic square bonds affixed to the teeth. The orthodontist uses a set of wires or springs to apply force, gradually shifting the teeth into proper alignment. Clear braces, also known as aligners, may be used by those with minor malocclusion instead of traditional braces. Sometimes, the headgear may be necessary to provide pressure outside the mouth to aid teeth alignment.
- Surgery: Patients with a significant underbite or overbite may need corrective surgery; this is done to lengthen or shorten the jaw. Orthodontists use wires, surgical screws, or plates to support the jaw bone during the procedure. Jaw surgery is generally considered a last resort when other, less invasive orthodontic treatments have failed.
Finding the best orthodontist near you in Dallas, Texas
While a general dentist often observes misaligned teeth and refers you to an orthodontist, you may notice apparent problems with your teeth and jaws that require help from an orthodontist. Zocdoc supports you in understanding the distinction between a dentist and an orthodontist and locating the finest orthodontist. After thorough research, Zocdoc has put together a curated list of orthodontists.
For instance, if you live in Dallas and have an issue with the alignment of your teeth, type "Dallas" and your condition into the search boxes on Zocdoc, and it will immediately guide you to a list of orthodontists practicing in your area. All orthodontists on Zocdoc come with their profiles, which list all the information you need about them, including educational background, certifications, years of experience, awards, and verified reviews by past patients. All these details will help you make a more informed decision.
Since orthodontic treatment is a long-term and expensive process, choosing an orthodontist who accepts your health insurance is crucial. Zocdoc has you covered here, too. Choose your insurance provider from a drop-down menu, and you will immediately know if your orthodontist is in-network. If you have multiple insurance plans, you can add your medical, dental, and vision insurance information to your Zocdoc account. However, when searching for and scheduling appointments, you can only select one insurance plan at a time. To inform your provider about additional coverage, specify your secondary insurance details in the notes section during the final step of the booking process. If your provider uses Zocdoc's intake forms, you can also include secondary insurance information while completing these forms online. For further insurance-related FAQs, refer to Zocdoc's patient help center.
You can also find out the orthodontist's gender, the languages they speak, and whether they treat children. Depending on the orthodontist's availability, you can book appointments before, during, and after office hours. If the orthodontist's schedule permits, you can also book appointments on holidays and weekends.
Booking appointments with orthodontists near you through Zocdoc is fast, free, and secure!
Orthodontic statistics in Dallas, Texas
According to the American Association of Orthodontics 2017 Orthodontic Workforce Report, Texas is among the six states in the US with the highest percentage of professionally active orthodontists. According to the same report, Young County in Texas has around 11.12 practicing orthodontists for every 100,000 population.
According to the May 2023 report on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics website, the metropolitan area of Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington has the fourth-highest employment level of general dentists in the US (4,390).
Sources
WebMD
Healthline[1]
Colgate
Oral Health Foundation
American Association of Orthodontics
US Bureau of the Labor Statistics
National Institutes of Health
Mayo Clinic
Byte
Cleveland Clinic
Healthline[2]
Fredericksburg Orthodontics
