Why go to a registered orthodontist?

1. Orthodontists are specialists!

Your orthodontist is an expert, specialised in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of crooked teeth and facial asymmetry.

Although there are similarities between orthodontists and dentists and they both aim to improve your general dental health, it is this specialisation that distinguishes an orthodontist from a dentist. It is similar to the difference between your General Practitioner and an ear, nose and throat, or other specialist.
In order to specialise, orthodontists first complete general dental training which is followed by a four-year full-time university course. They also limit their practice to orthodontic treatments in order to guarantee consistently high levels of treatment for their patients.

Only one orthodontist has been specially trained and is the most qualified and experienced practitioner able to treat dental and jaw alignment issues to ensure that you or your child has a healthy and confident smile.

2. You are your smile

A person’s smile is one of the first things we notice when we greet someone. It is how we recognise each other and how we behave towards each other. Trusting your smile can change your life for the better. That’s why it is so important to consult an orthodontist to achieve your healthiest, most attractive smile.
Straight teeth are easier to keep clean and ensure healthier gums. An even smile improves your self-confidence.

3. Medical benefits

Apart from improved self-confidence, orthodontic treatment also has medical benefits of course. For example, from a medical point of view orthodontic treatment is necessary for patients with:

• poor occlusion which can damage teeth and gums;
• protruding or badly aligned teeth;
• gaps in the dental arch;
• lack of space in the jaw, leading to crooked teeth;
• speech, breathing or chewing difficulties;
• improperly growing jaw (which can impact on your facial profile).

An orthodontist can also help with the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and children with persistent sucking habits such as thumbs or fingers.

4. From trendy to invisible – each to their own

Nowadays, orthodontists not only offer traditional braces and bands, but also have more modern options which have been developed to be unobtrusive and as comfortable as possible allowing patients to follow their normal daily life without aesthetic limits.

Modern orthodontic treatments include lingual braces with internal braces and transparent removable braces such as Invisalign®.

Whichever treatment you opt for, only an orthodontist has the right training, experience and full range of treatment options, giving you the confidence that you are in the best hands.

5. When should a child go to an orthodontist?

Did you know that young children with crooked teeth or malocclusions should be seen by an orthodontist at the age of about 7 or 8 years? Did you also know that you don’t need a referral for an orthodontist?

If you answered ‘No’, don’t worry; you’re not alone! Most parents are in the dark when it comes to understanding orthodontics. A common misconception is that you can only start orthodontic treatment once the transition from milk to permanent teeth has taken place.

However, some orthodontic problems are more easily remedied in young children who are still growing: so long before all their adult teeth are in place. Waiting until the teenage years before going to an orthodontist can make these early problems worse. Leading to more complicated and far-reaching treatments that could otherwise have been avoided.

Although early orthodontic treatment is not necessary for all children, between the ages of 7 and 10 years an orthodontist can assess the alignment of your child’s teeth and jaw, and determine at an early stage whether and when intervention is appropriate.

Orthodontists are highly trained to recognise problems in children at an early age, even those problems that are not yet fully visible. They can correct these at an early stage and so avoid possible long-term problems.