What to Expect at Your First Orthodontist Appointment: Insights from an Irving Park Area Dentist

Sometimes, you may hear the terms “dentist” and “orthodontist” used interchangeably. However, despite their similarities, these two professions are quite different. Dentistry is a general profession, dealing with all kinds of oral health issues, while orthodontia is a specialized practice. In this article, we’re going to talk about what an orthodontist is, and what you can expect from your first appointment with one.

What is an Orthodontist?

Dentists work with numerous facets of dental health. They are trained to treat issues related to the teeth, jaw, gums, and nerves. Orthodontists, on the other hand, specialize in straightening the teeth. They diagnose occlusions, overbites, overcrowded mouths, and misaligned jaws and teeth, and then work to solve those issues over time.

Orthodontists undergo special training before they start practicing, and you will usually be recommended by your dentist to visit an orthodontist if you have any problem with the alignment of your jaws and teeth. You may also be recommended to see an orthodontist if the dentist concludes that you require braces.

Basically, the job of the orthodontist revolves around setting your teeth straight. For example, if you have a gap between your teeth, you have an issue that will likely grow worse with time. This is because it’s important for the structure of the mouth and gums to be in tight alignment. An orthodontist will use a variety of techniques to make sure that the teeth move closer together over time. Conversely, your mouth may be too crowded, with some teeth overlapping over others. In this case, an orthodontist may use braces to fix the issue, or they may have to remove excess teeth in order to restore the structure of the mouth.

The Different Types of Treatments in Orthodontics

An orthodontist will use several tools to fix alignment problems, with braces being the most common. Braces consist of one or more bands that encircle the teeth. They are fixed to the two front teeth using bond brackets, which are connected to the bands through wires. When applied, the braces pull the teeth into alignment, straightening them over a period of time. The process takes a while to complete, but it is highly effective.

Orthodontists also use aligners. This tool is preferred by some patients because it is less visible, being practically unnoticeable after a certain distance. This is possible because aligners do not use metal brackets or wires to pull the teeth in place. They are also removable, adding to the overall appeal of this option.

In more extreme cases, the orthodontist will use a palate expander, which is designed to widen the arch of the upper jaw, creating more space in the mouth. You also have the headgear, which is used in very rare cases, and which connects the back of the head with a wire that goes to the front of your mouth. The headgear is used to pull back the front teeth in order to slow down the development of the upper jaw in cases where it is growing too fast.

What to Expect from an Irving Park Dentist or Orthodontist?

An appointment at the orthodontist is not all that different from an appointment with your dentist. They are almost identical. Depending on your issue, you may require x-rays for diagnosis, which may then be followed by one or more sessions where the orthodontist will install one of the devices mentioned above.

Schedule an Orthodontist or Dentist Appointment in Irving Park

If you are looking for the top Dentist and Orthodontist in the Irving Park area, Smile Innovations is ready to help. Led by Dr. Gordon Ziols, we can help guide you through the options that are available to you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!