Who is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a doctor of oral health. They hold thorough knowledge of the mouth, jaw, skull, and face. They specialize in tooth and jaw alignment. The most popular reason a person might go to an orthodontist is to get braces. Over four million Americans wear braces. Braces can help straighten an individual's teeth and fix a misaligned jaw. Other causes to visit an orthodontist include but are not limited to:
- Gaps between teeth
- Overcrowded Teeth
- Overbite or underbite corrections
- Dental corrections
- Jaw shape alteration
- Facial Imbalance
- Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)
- Teeth Grinding
- Sleep apnea
Training and education of an orthodontist
After four years of undergraduate studies, aspiring orthodontists attend four years of dental school. Each orthodontist must pass an exam and become licensed as a dentist by taking certification exams throughout dental school. These exams include knowledge of the dentistry-related sciences and the skills and knowledge required for clinical work.
After graduation from dental school, only about six percent of dentists undergo further training to become orthodontists. Aspiring orthodontists complete highly competitive and selective ADA-accredited orthodontic programs to specialize in orthodontics. The programs are three to five years long. Aspiring orthodontists study in-depth biomedical, behavioral, and basic sciences during these programs. They get trained and practice the skills to facilitate tooth movement, guide facial changes, and understand facial surgery. They also learn to diagnose and treat facial and neck problems.
After their orthodontic training, aspiring orthodontists must take the board examination offered by the American Association of Orthodontics to become board-certified orthodontists eligible to practice legally in the United States. The written part of the examination consists of questions on 27 different subjects to ensure the aspiring orthodontist has complete knowledge of orthodontic theory and practice. The clinical component of the examination involves a set of case records that need evaluation and the development of customized treatment plans from the aspiring orthodontist's end.
Is an orthodontist also a dentist?
Dentistry is a medical specialty focusing on your teeth, gum, nerves, and jaw. Orthodontics is a subspecialty within dentistry focusing on correcting bites, occlusion, and teeth straightness.
Becoming an orthodontist requires additional schooling in a dental specialty, much like doctors who obtain further education to become surgeons. Orthodontists near you can provide a dentist's services by working in a dental office, but a dentist cannot provide orthodontic services. Although dentists and orthodontists focus on oral care and deal with the teeth and gums, orthodontists specialize in misaligned teeth and overbite treatment.
What causes crooked teeth?
Many adults and children have crooked or misaligned teeth. Such teeth can cause speech, health, or appearance issues. Baby teeth and permanent teeth can become twisted due to various factors. Common causes of crooked permanent teeth include the following:
- Poor nutrition: Poor nutrition in children can cause poor dental development and tooth decay. The baby's teeth may fall prematurely, causing permanent teeth to grow crooked or misaligned.
- Facial injury: Mouth or facial trauma can knock the teeth out of position and affect natural alignment. It can cause crooked permanent teeth and affect the dental appearance.
- Poor repetitive habits: These habits or behaviors affect the mouth, face, or oral muscle functions. These include tongue thrusting, mouth breathing, thumb sucking, and using a bottle or pacifier. These repetitive behaviors over prolonged periods can cause permanent teeth to become crooked or misaligned.
- Jaw size: A smaller or shorter jaw has limited gum space to accommodate all the teeth. Therefore, teeth may become misaligned, crowded, or crooked as they grow.
- Misaligned jaw (malocclusion): The upper molar extensions must fit into the lower grooves, and the top teeth must slightly overlap the lower teeth. The absence of this kind of teeth and jaw alignment is termed a malocclusion or misaligned jaw. It can also lead to underbite or overbite.
Underbite occurs when the lower front teeth grow outwards more than the upper teeth. Overbite occurs when the upper front teeth grow outwards farther than the lower teeth.
- Poor dental care: Poor dental hygiene can cause tooth decay and gum diseases. These conditions can lead to severe dental problems and misaligned teeth.
- Hereditary and genetics: Crooked, crowded, or misaligned teeth are a genetic condition. The child is highly likely to have crooked teeth if both or one of the parents has the issue. Underbite or overbite is also a congenital and hereditary condition.
Orthodontists near you can help align your teeth into the proper position, thus improving your bite and speech abilities. It also helps maintain optimum oral hygiene.
What types of treatments do orthodontists provide?
Orthodontists specialize in straightening teeth. Treatment can be cosmetic, aimed at improving a person's look. Still, it also attempts to enhance oral function, such as better chewing and speaking function, and help protect teeth from injury or decay in some circumstances.
To accomplish these objectives, the orthodontist employs a variety of medical dental equipment, including:
- Fixed-space maintainers: A space maintainer keeps the two teeth on either side from moving into the space left by a lost baby tooth until the adult tooth erupts. A band is attached to one of the teeth adjacent to the space, and a wire connects the band to the other tooth.
- Braces: These include brackets, wires, and bands. Bands serve as anchors for the device and are firmly secured around the teeth, whereas brackets are often attached to the front of the teeth. Wires in the shape of an arch travel through the brackets and adhere to the bands. Tightening the arch wire causes strain on the teeth. This gradually puts them in the proper position. The braces are adjusted or tightened once a month during follow-up visits. Treatment can extend from a few months to many years.
- Aligners: For adults, this braces substitute may be helpful. They can be taken out to eat, floss, or clean teeth and are invisible to others. An aligner is used for two to three weeks before switching out for a new one.
- Palatal expander: The purpose of this appliance is to widen the upper jaw's arch. It is applied to the palate, or roof of the mouth, and comprises a plastic plate fastened with screws. The screws applied pressure to the bones' joints, driving them outward. This causes the region in the roof of the mouth to expand.
- Headgear: A strap across the back of the head connects to a metal wire in the front or face bow. The goal is to maintain the position of the back teeth while pulling back the front ones and to slow down the growth of the upper jaw.
- Retainers: These are used following treatment to prevent teeth from returning to their previous locations. Retainers could also be used to prevent children from sucking their thumbs.
Who should you consult-- an orthodontist or a dentist?
We recommend visiting a dentist if you seek help for standard dental issues like tooth pain, tooth decay, tooth repair, and tooth extraction. Dentists are your recommended healthcare providers if you suspect you have gum diseases, oral inflammation, or oral infections. They shall diagnose and treat your unique case. If the dentist diagnoses you with jaw malocclusion, tooth crowding, or palate expansion during your dentist visit, they may refer you to an orthodontist.
Orthodontists work with people of all ages. Doctors recommend scheduling an annual orthodontic visit for children below seven. During your session, your orthodontist shall check if your child requires braces. Visiting an orthodontist instead of a dentist is essential for adults with misaligned jawlines or teeth.
What to expect on your orthodontic visit?
When visiting an orthodontist near you, you can expect them to:
- Supervise your child's jawline and bite growth.
- Diagnose and treat misaligned teeth and jaws.
- Chart treatment plans, including braces and retainers.
- Install dental appliances like braces, palatal expanders, orthodontic headgear, or Herbst appliances.
- Educate you on caring for, cleaning, and correctly utilizing devices to help you with your unique case.
If required, orthodontists may schedule teeth straightening surgery.
Common tooth conditions you should know about
Poor oral hygiene can cause dental problems, ranging from cavities and tooth sensitivity to advanced gum disease. Some of these include:
- Bad Breath: Dealing with bad breath, or halitosis, can be embarrassing. In approximately 85% of cases, the root cause is an underlying dental condition. These could include:
- Gum disease
- Cavities
- Oral cancer
- Dry mouth
- Bacteria on the tongue
Using mouthwash merely masks the odor without addressing the root cause. If you have chronic bad breath, it is crucial to visit your dental care provider to identify and resolve the issue.
Tooth decay: Also called cavities, it is the most prevalent health condition in the United States, particularly in those with limited access to dental care. Cavities develop when plaque combines with the sugars and starch in your food, producing acids that attack your tooth enamel.
Cavities can develop at any age, not just in children. Normal enamel erosion and dry mouth (often caused by age, illness, or medications) can also contribute to cavity formation.
Gum disease (or periodontal disease): It infects the gums surrounding your teeth and is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It has also been linked to heart problems in some studies. Anyone can develop gum disease, but it is most common after the age of 30. Smoking and certain health conditions, such as diabetes and dry mouth, are significant risk factors.
Symptoms of gum disease include swollen gums, persistent bad breath, sensitive teeth, and pain when chewing. Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, while periodontitis is the more advanced form. Regular dental checkups, proper brushing, and flossing can help prevent and manage gum disease.
You should seek dental treatment if you are experiencing any signs of gum disease to prevent further complications, such as tooth loss.
Tooth erosion: It is the loss of tooth structure caused by acid attacking the enamel. The symptoms can range from sensitivity to more severe problems like cracking. While tooth erosion is common, it is easily preventable with proper oral care.
Best orthodontist near you in Washington, DC
Maintaining your oral hygiene is essential for overall wellness. Misaligned teeth can cause severe dental issues, including tooth decay, gum disease, and difficult or painful chewing. Besides hampering one's daily life, untreated chronic pain can cause mental health issues like irritability and depression. Zocdoc helps you treat your disease by connecting you with the best orthodontists in Washington, DC.
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Statistical data on tooth loss and factors causing orthodontic illnesses in the District of Columbia (DC), USA
Results on tooth loss from the 2017 District of Columbia Oral Health Surveillance System (DC OHSS) reveal that 15.4% of DC residents aged 18 to 44 have lost one to five permanent natural teeth. About 33.2% of DC residents aged 45 to 64 and 28.7% of those 65+ have also lost one to five permanent natural teeth. Over 5.4% of DC residents aged 45 to 64 and 10.2% of those over 65+ have lost all permanent natural teeth.
Based on the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey, 41.6% of people in Washington, DC, smoke. Gum disease, tooth discoloration, tooth loss, and oral cancer are all related to smoking. Additionally, the research indicates that 8.1% of DC residents engage in heavy drinking, while 1.8% of inhabitants chew tobacco, snuff, or snus. According to the study, heavy drinking is defined as consuming more than eight drinks for women and more than fifteen drinks for males each week. While alcohol poses a severe danger to oral and other malignancies, chewing tobacco accelerates tooth decay, gum disease, receding gums, and oral cancer.
Sources
WebMD
Healthline[1]
Healthline[2]
Doctorly
District of Columbia Department of Health
Medical News Today
Verywell Health
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