Sure Dental Group
202-8645 160 ST V4N 1G4 Surrey, BC, Canada

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Your Dentist Is Not An Orthodontist Your dentist is your first line of defence against problems of the teeth and mouth. But if you are considering getting Inv...isalign or braces, is your dentist the best person to straighten your teeth, or should you see an orthodontist? As an educated consumer, it is important to understand the difference between the two so that you can make the best choice for your care. The first thing to understand is that your dentist is not an orthodontist, even if he or she does braces or Invisalign. An orthodontist is a dental specialist who, after becoming a dentist, completed a 2-3 year residency to learn how to properly align the teeth and jaws. This is something that dentists do not learn in dental school. General dentists who offer braces or Invisalign usually rely on taking weekend courses to obtain a basic level of orthodontic skill. Their skill set does not compare to the advanced training of an orthodontist, who has over 4000 hours of both in-class and hands-on orthodontic education. But what does this mean to you, as a patient? Do you actually need someone with advanced training just to straighten your teeth? The answer might surprise you. Orthodontic treatment is not just about straightening teeth - it is also about aligning jaws, preserving the health of the gums and jaw joints, and correcting the esthetics of your smile and facial profile. If your treatment plan only includes straightening teeth without taking all these other factors into consideration, that plan will not get you the best results. Frankly, it may result in negative complications such as gum disease, jaw aches, and teeth that are straight but dont look good in the context of the face. Some patients only require very simple tooth alignment, and can be treated effectively by a general dentist. But for the majority of patients, proper correction of the teeth also involves taking all of the above factors into consideration, which is best done by an orthodontist. So before you say yes to having your dentist do braces or Invisalign for you, it is a good idea to seek out a second opinion from an orthodontist to better understand your options. Armed with this knowledge, you can make an informed decision as to who can best help you meet your goals. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. The Canadian Dental Specialists Organization is here to help you.