There are many dentists out there that offer orthodontic services to their patients. However, they don’t offer the same expertise as our Grand Rapids orthodontists. While a dentist may focus on your overall oral health, orthodontists focus solely on correcting bites and aligning teeth.
Here’s a few reasons why it’s better to choose a qualified orthodontist over a dentist who offers orthodontic treatment.
Compared to Dentists, Orthodontists:
1. Specialize in Orthodontics
Compared to dentists, orthodontists complete an extra 2 years of study in before offering treatment to patients. The additional years of education are what make an orthodontist qualified to move your teeth into optimal alignment.
More specifically, orthodontists can fix:
- Crowded teeth
- Spaces between teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbites
- Tooth and jaw pain caused by improper bite
Dental school programs don’t offer training for how to straighten teeth, which makes general dentists unqualified to offer orthodontic treatment. Unfortunately, this doesn’t stop them from doing so to make some extra cash. Our licensed Grand Rapids orthodontists will make sure your teeth are moved properly so you can enjoy a straight, healthy smile.
2. Can Save You Time and Money
A general dentist doesn’t have the same training as an orthodontist, which means they could easily make costly mistakes. Teeth that are moved improperly could also introduce dental issues you didn’t have prior to treatment, such as an overbite or jaw pain.
It’s not uncommon for orthodontists to have to fix mistakes made by general dentists who thought they could straighten teeth. Unfortunately, this means that you have to spend more time and money to repair damage done by general dentists.
3. Have More Experience
Orthodontists correct bites and straighten teeth for a living. This means that they have more experience than general dentists at improving the appearance and function of your smile.
General dentists are better suited for maintaining overall oral health because they look for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and more. If you would like to straighten your teeth or are having pain in your teeth and jaw from improper bite, your dentist should refer you to a trusted orthodontist.
4. Offer a Wide Variety of Treatment Options
Many general dentists only offer to patients with misaligned teeth. However, not all patients are ideal candidates for Invisalign and may benefit more from .
Orthodontists offer a wide variety of orthodontic treatments and different types of braces like Invisalign clear aligners, ceramic braces, and metal braces. This way, you can be sure that you are getting the most effective orthodontic treatment for your smile. After all, you don’t want to waste money on a method that won’t move teeth safely and effectively.
Make an Appointment Today
Our Grand Rapids orthodontists at Armbrecht & Wierenga Orthodontics strive to help patients feel confident with beautiful healthy smiles. If you are interested in orthodontic treatment for children, teens, or adults, please give our office a call at (616) 455-4800. Feel free to alsocontact us online.
This blog post has been updated.