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On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for an Orthodontist in San Antonio, book an appointment, and see the Orthodontist within 24 hours. Same-day appointments are often available, you can search for real-time availability of Orthodontists in San Antonio who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a San Antonio Orthodontist who takes your insurance. Just choose your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. If you’re not sure which plan you have, you can use Zocdoc’s insurance checker to find out.
Zocdoc is a free online service that helps patients find Orthodontists in San Antonio and book appointments instantly. You can search for San Antonio Orthodontists by symptom or visit reason. Then, choose your insurance plan. Based on that information, you’ll see a list of providers who meet your search criteria, along with their available appointment slots.
When you search for San Antonio Orthodontists on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see Orthodontists in San Antonio who match your preferences.
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for San Antonio Orthodontists with availability after 5 p.m.
You can use Zocdoc to find Orthodontists in San Antonio who are highly rated by other patients. These ratings are based on verified reviews submitted by real patients. Every time a patient completes an appointment booked on Zocdoc, they’re invited to review their experience. Each review must comply with Zocdoc’s guidelines.
Orthodontists in San Antonio on Zocdoc who see patients through online video visits will have a purple video icon on their profiles. You can also filter your search results to show only Orthodontists who offer video visits.
Most insurers provide coverage for video visits at the same cost as in-person visits. You can search on Zocdoc specifically for Orthodontists in San Antonio who accept your insurance for video visits by selecting your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. We recommend you check with your insurance carrier directly to confirm your coverage and out of pocket costs for video visits.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for an Orthodontist who has appointments available before 10:00 am, or after 5:00 pm. Just choose the special hours filter at the top of our search page.
Zocdoc let's you see real-time availability for Orthodontists in San Antonio. Many Orthodontists offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
Also referred to as orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedist, an orthodontist has a degree in Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or in Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) and receives training to diagnose and treat jaw irregularities, difficult or painful chewing, mismatched jaws, craniofacial abnormalities, gum (periodontal) disease, and tooth decay. They follow a similar educational path to most medical doctors and complete a college-level education in science, followed by dental school.
To specialize in orthodontics, they must complete a two-year to three-year residency program in orthodontics. They train intensively in teeth movement and dental, jaw, and facial development (dentofacial orthopedics). To become a board-certified orthodontist in the United States, those who graduated from fully accredited residency programs can get certified by the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO).
Dentists and orthodontists have similarities as they specialize in oral care and study the teeth, gums, jaw, and tongue. However, the main difference is that orthodontic care is a dental specialty focused on treating misaligned teeth and jaws, while dentists diagnose and perform surgery for general tooth conditions. They also clean and treat cavities, install veneers, prescribe medication, and repair, extract, and whiten teeth.
If you’re unsure who to visit, you can see a dentist for general issues such as toothache and decay. If your dentist finds problems with alignment, they may refer you to an orthodontist near you.
Treatment options for an underbite include braces, retainers, and growth modification devices. If having too many teeth causes your underbite, your dentist might recommend tooth extraction before you get braces. This procedure helps create more space in your mouth, allowing them to position your remaining teeth correctly.
Dental braces are the treatment option for various orthodontic conditions related to teeth alignments, such as crooked teeth, crowded teeth, gapped teeth, and malocclusion. Your orthodontist will explain and suggest different braces best suited to treat your condition.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children aged seven or under with a mix of permanent and baby teeth get their first checkup done. At that stage, an orthodontist can identify any alignment issues. Adults who face difficulty in biting or chewing, have jaw pain or crooked teeth, or are conscious about their smile can visit an orthodontist to correct their alignment and check for other problems that may be causing misalignment.
During your first visit to an orthodontist near you, explain your concerns about your teeth and smile. They will then proceed with an oral examination of your teeth, gums, and jaw. They may also take a panoramic radiograph to help view the teeth and jaws simultaneously. It will help determine the cause of your concerns and the orthodontic appliance (braces, aligners, power chains, and Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs)), which will help move your teeth and align your jaws. You can also ask your orthodontist questions such as:
Periodontists focus on treating gum health and the supporting structures around teeth. They use various methods tailored to address gum-related issues and maintain oral stability. Common treatments include root planing and scaling, a deep cleaning process to clean plaque and tartar beneath the gum line, gum surgeries for advanced gum disease or damaged tissues, and dental implants to replace missing teeth, enhancing both function and appearance.
On the other hand, orthodontists align teeth and ensure a well-functioning bite. Their methods include braces for gradual tooth realignment, Invisalign for a less visible straightening option, and retainers to maintain alignment following treatment.
The core difference between the two specialties is their focus: periodontists concentrate on gum health, while orthodontists focus on alignment and bite optimization. Each plays an essential role in enhancing overall oral health and a confident smile.
Periodontists are experts in managing gum-related conditions and the underlying structures that support teeth. They treat conditions like gingivitis, which is marked by bleeding or swollen gums and which they address to prevent further progression. For periodontitis, they offer specialized treatments such as deep cleanings and surgery. Periodontists also handle gum recession, providing gum grafting procedures to protect exposed roots and place dental implants for patients with missing teeth, restoring both aesthetics and function.
Orthodontists are skilled in correcting alignment and bite issues. They address overbites, where upper front teeth overlap too much with lower teeth, and underbites, where lower front teeth extend more than the upper teeth. They also treat crossbites, in which some upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth, as well as crowded teeth that may interfere with proper cleaning and maintenance. Through personalized treatment plans, orthodontists align teeth to improve oral function and appearance, contributing to a healthy and well-aligned smile.
If left untreated, misaligned teeth may cause dental problems, including gum disease, cavities, tooth decay, and difficulty chewing. Orthodontic treatment makes teeth fit better, creating a better bite and decreasing the risk of future dental problems regardless of age. Early treatment in children helps establish a better environment for permanent teeth as they come in. Some may also need help with how to position their tongue when they swallow.
While making an orthodontist visit is essential, finding one can be challenging. You can rely on Zocdoc to help you find the right specialist in your area and book an online video consultation or in-person visit within minutes. For example, if you reside in San Antonio, Texas, schedule an appointment by visiting the website and entering their location, condition, insurance carrier, and plan. Your search results should display all the top-rated orthodontists in your area. Filter your search results by gender and other criteria to identify the orthodontist near you most suitable for your concerns.
Zocdoc believes in transparency and allows users to make an informed decision by providing each specialist’s medical background, training, and certifications. Besides that, you can also read verified patient reviews and ratings. A user can schedule an appointment 24 hours in advance, on the same day, or even on weekends, depending on their provider’s availability. You can also check whether your provider accepts your insurance by entering your Insurance carrier and plan in the drop-down menu at the top of the page. If you don’t see your insurance plan on Zocdoc, you can try uploading a photo of your medical insurance card (note that this option isn’t available for vision or dental insurance). We’ll scan the image to identify your likely plan. If you’re having issues uploading the card image and other insurance-related questions, you can check out Zocdoc's insurance page.
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As per the May 2021 estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas employs nearly 180 orthodontists. It is one of the highest employment levels in the United States, following Maryland, Ohio, and California.
According to the estimated figures from 2012 to 2018 published by the Texas Department of State Health Services, about 59.2% of Texas adults visited the dentist annually. Nearly 3.7% lack teeth, and 11.4% have six or more teeth missing. The report found that approximately 6% of all dental visits were made to the emergency room and that adults under the age of 65 were more likely to frequent the ER for dental issues compared to those over 65 years of age. The report also stated that adults who smoke or have diabetes are at an elevated risk of periodontal (gum) disease.
In another report, data collated by the BRFSS from 2016 to 2017 showed that 74.5% of children in Texas have good or excellent teeth, and 8.7% have poor teeth. Nearly 17.7% of children in Texas have oral health issues such as toothache, bleeding gums, cavities, or decayed teeth.
Research indicates that people who drink fluoridated water are less likely to develop oral cavities and other dental issues. The Texas Health Institute report states that in Texas, 19.4 million residents, i.e., 68.8%, have access to fluoridated water from their public water sources.
Sugary carbonated drinks significantly contribute to poor oral health. Sugar degrades the surface of tooth enamel by promoting bacterial acid production. Nearly 8% of Texas adolescents aged 14 to 18 consume soda regularly.
American Association of Orthodontists[1]
American Association of Orthodontists[2]
American Association of Orthodontists[3]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Texas Department of State Health Services[1]
Texas Department of State Health Services[2]
Dr. Lints Orthodontics Smile With Us
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.