Who is an orthodontist?
Oral health is crucial to one's overall well-being. Regularly visiting orthodontists or dentists is vital to maintaining good oral and dental health. Very often, people need clarification from orthodontists and dentists. Orthodontists are healthcare providers who specialize in treating and diagnosing malocclusion or misaligned teeth and are responsible for various dental issues. It leads to uncomfortable oral conditions like tooth decay or gum disease, resulting in painful chewing and jaw discomfort. Orthodontists are dental experts in treating various structural irregularities.
Education and training of an orthodontist
Like dentists, orthodontists attend dental school. Upon graduation, they must spend 2 to 3 years in a residency program or fellowship specializing in providing orthodontic care. During the residency that follows the four-year degree in dentistry, healthcare providers are allowed to specialize in either Orthodontics, where they learn how to move teeth safely, or Dentofacial Orthopedics, where they know how to guide development in the jaw and teeth.
Difference between a dentist and an orthodontist
Orthodontists and dentists share similar roles but aim to achieve what is best for oral health. Though orthodontists and dentists primarily focus on tooth and jaw-related issues, orthodontists specialize in tooth and jaw alignment.
While dentists are required to complete a General Dental Degree, orthodontists must follow the completion of a dental degree with a three (in some cases two) year specialization degree.
Orthodontists are experts in facial and structural growth and dental development, whereas dentists provide a wide range of services, from dental cleanings to root canals.
Common reasons to see an orthodontist
Some of the common reasons for visiting an orthodontist are as follows:
People often find irregularities in the structure of their jaw and teeth. Sometimes, huge gaps or spaces between teeth may occur. Spacing may result from genetics, a mismatch between the jaw bone and tooth size, or tooth accidents.
Spacing or having gaps between your teeth can cause a lot of inconvenience. Maintaining oral health and hygiene can be challenging, from getting food stuck to experiencing difficulty in cleaning the gaps.
An open bite is a common orthodontic condition where the patient's upper and lower teeth are not aligned when the mouth is closed. Open bites can result from various factors, from the structure of jawbones to patient behavior. Behaviors like sucking your thumb or fingers and unnecessarily chewing on things that are not food can contribute to open bites. On the other hand, a deep bite occurs when the upper front teeth vertically overlap with the lower front teeth. This condition occurs because of a specific jaw structure, often due to genetic reasons. This condition is also known as an overbite.
Hypodontia is a common dental condition that stems from genetic makeup. In this condition, several baby teeth develop very slowly or do not develop at all. The lateral incisor teeth on the upper jaw tend to be genetically absent, resulting in an ill-defining shape. Though it leads to excessive or unwanted spacing, it also leads to a cosmetic issue and is not necessarily an uncomfortable oral health issue.
Crowding or crowded teeth is one of the most prevalent oral conditions many people experience. Though it often happens during the early years and adolescence, it can also occur in old age. It is an orthodontic problem that results from inadequate spacing in the jaws. Due to insufficient space, one can only accommodate some of their teeth. It can be a painful structural issue and a cosmetic one, as it hampers the aesthetic smile of the patient. In addition, crowded teeth make it extremely difficult for patients to clean their teeth and adequately maintain oral hygiene.
Common treatments offered by orthodontists
The field of orthodontics encompasses various treatments, and the following are the most common ones:
Braces combine brackets, bands, and wires to gradually move the teeth into ideal positions over time. Depending on the patient's requirements, the orthodontist may prescribe different braces, including clear (ceramic) and conventional metal braces.
Clear orthodontic aligners are very common as an alternative to braces. This alternative employs a set of personalized, transparent aligner trays to correct the teeth instead of requiring brackets and wires. The set of trays keeps changing as the patient's teeth align. Patients usually wear a set of trays for one to three weeks before transitioning to the next set in the series. The clear aligners gradually move the teeth into their correct positions.
Patients require a retainer after their orthodontic treatment, which includes wearing braces or clear aligners. A fitted oral item, a retainer, prevents the patient's teeth from moving from their ideal placements. The orthodontist determines the wearing frequency of the retainer to maintain treatment outcomes.
An oral appliance called a palate expander expands the narrow upper jaw. Orthodontists may suggest a palate expander if a patient has a crossbite, overcrowding, or other dental issues. The patient may need to wear a palate expander for a few weeks, months, or even up to a year, depending on their age and the seriousness of their condition. Most people who utilize palate expanders are children. But they can also help adults and teenagers.
If patients already have braces on and need additional pressure to move their teeth, an orthodontist would advise elastics. Specific upper and lower brackets/braces have tiny hooks that the doctor uses as hooks to place elastics. Depending on the patient's needs, the doctor arranges the elastics vertically or diagonally. The doctor may position them to connect your upper and lower jaws or attach them to various teeth. The orthodontist carefully selects the attachment points based on the desired mobility for certain teeth or tooth groups while preventing the misalignment of other teeth.
The patient must apply or remove elastics independently and wear them as directed by their orthodontist. It's crucial to follow the recommended amount of elastic wear. Wearing too many elastics puts too much pressure on the teeth and could damage the jaw.
When to see an orthodontist near you?
- When your child has not grown out of baby teeth even after adolescence
- Late or early loss of milk teeth
- Discomfort while chewing or biting
- Crowded or misplaced teeth
- Have issues with your jaw structure
- Are not able to close upper and lower jaw without proper alignment
When should a child see an orthodontist?
The American Academy of Orthodontists advises that your child get an orthodontic examination by age seven.
The primary reason for such an early orthodontic evaluation is tooth development at that age. It helps determine if a kid has an orthodontic problem or if it is a typical developmental variation. An orthodontist can often forecast whether a child's mouth will be large enough for permanent teeth when they are about seven years old.
The other reason for this premature intervention for children is the prompt detection and cure of any illness. Treating a condition is much easier when the natural growth process remains active. For instance, a palatal expander appliance can successfully repair a child's crossbite (a condition where the upper teeth occlude the lower ones) if diagnosed when their jaw is still developing. If left untreated, oral surgery becomes the only option in the future.
Orthodontic treatment may also be beneficial for other conditions typically seen in children, like mouth breathing, thumb sucking, tongue pushing, and premature or late loss of baby teeth.
What can you expect at an orthodontic visit?
The first orthodontic consultation is quite similar to that of a dentist visit. When you visit an orthodontist near you for the first time, they will also ask 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 issue remained undetected in the initial assessment.
Notably, orthodontic treatment is unsuitable for those with untreated dental problems like gum disease or cavities. In such cases, the healthcare professional will recommend resolving these before receiving orthodontic care.
After completing the initial examination, the orthodontist will create a treatment plan, including what method to use and how long it will take to achieve the desired results. Ask questions about 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 planning for them, remember that you need sufficient time to prepare yourself before the visit and rest afterward.
Caring for your teeth with braces
Maintaining healthy dental hygiene when wearing braces is crucial, as plaque buildup can occur quickly and easily. Here are tips on caring for your teeth when wearing braces.
- Brush your teeth properly daily. Follow the orthodontist's guidelines when brushing.
- Avoid hard foods. Refrain from chewing harder objects like pens, pencils, and fingernails.
- Do not chew ice.
- Avoid crunchy and sticky foods.
- Thoroughly rinse the mouth with water before brushing.
- Take off all the removable parts of the braces before flossing or brushing.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush (ADA-approved). Brushes with a small head can help clean teeth and braces easily.
- Brush your teeth after every meal.
- Use a circular and gentle brushing motion when brushing.
- Go for a dental health checkup after every six months.
Caring for your teeth after braces
To avoid misalignment, you need to maintain your teeth in the proper position. Here are tips on caring for your teeth after braces.
Despite practicing good dental hygiene with braces, stains, and plaque may still accumulate on the teeth and gums. A thorough dental cleaning helps remove all the stains and polishes the teeth. It can also detect underlying dental cavities, if any, that may have developed during treatment.
- Maintain optimum dental hygiene
You should not discontinue your oral hygiene regimen after the braces treatment. Brush twice daily, floss thoroughly once daily, and visit the orthodontist for regular dental checkups.
After braces, orthodontists may suggest wearing retainers to keep the teeth properly aligned to the new positions. Therefore, wearing the retainers as instructed is crucial to maintain healthy teeth.
Since the retainers stay on the teeth for a stipulated period, it could cause plaque and bacteria buildup. Therefore, you must thoroughly clean the retainer daily or as instructed by an orthodontist to avoid gum diseases or tooth decay.
Finding top-rated orthodontists near you in Philadelphia, PA
If you are living in Philadelphia and are looking for the top-rated orthodontist in the city, then look no more. Head to the Zocdoc website and make an appointment with the best orthodontist who can cater to your specific needs at your desired time. Zocdoc has put together a wide range of options for dental care specialists in Philadelphia that will help users pick from hundreds of options.
With the Zocdoc website, users can customize and personalize their search according to their requirements. From categorizing their searches into insurance plans to opting for virtual appointments, users can browse various options and pick the perfect Orthodontist in Philadelphia.
If you want to find a provider who accepts your insurance, add your insurance information (your provider and plan) on the Zocdoc search. It will help you see accurate results of in-network orthodontists near you who accept your plan. Check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance.
Users can also book appointments with an orthodontist or other healthcare providers on the weekends and weekdays.
All bookings at Zocdoc are safe, secure, and free.
Statistics of oral conditions in Pennsylvania
According to a 2020 report, around 149 areas in Pennsylvania were identified as Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSAs), indicating that the state only meets roughly 47.86% of its oral healthcare needs.
In 2020, nearly 90% of Federally Qualified Health Center dental sites provided dental services in just over half the state's counties. About 23% of the state's Rural Health Clinics offered some form of oral health education, dental referral, or oral health services in Pennsylvania. Similarly, nearly 31% of the free and charitable clinics provided dental benefits.
Over 1,500 state residents are diagnosed with oral and pharyngeal cancers annually. As per the oral health data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 32% of respondents among adults over 18 had not visited a dental clinic or been to a dental consultation in one year. Among the population over 65, about 85% of the respondents suffer from loss of all-natural teeth due to tooth decay or gum disease.
Sources
Ontario Association of Orthodontists
Pinecrest Orthodontics
WebMD
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania[1]
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania[2]
Career Services University of Pennsylvania
American Association of Orthodontists
KidsHealth
Lasry Dental Clinic
