When it comes to orthodontic care, there are different approaches that an orthodontist can use to fix someone’s smile or bite malalignment. Every practice is different. What is not arguable are the facts about what orthodontic care can and cannot do. It is time to put to rest the seven most common misconceptions about orthodontic care.
1 Anyone who provides aligners or braces is an orthodontist
Although most of the time the orthodontic work is done by a professionally trained orthodontist, there are online businesses that offer aligners and braces. Only someone who has the accreditation and advanced training specific to orthodontic work is an orthodontist or can be a member of the AAO. If you choose to have orthodontic care through someone else, then you never know what you will get.
2 Orthodontic work is too expensive
Since orthodontic professionals know that most health care insurances do not cover orthodontic care, they try to tailor their fees, and most will work very hard to allow you to finance the cost of treatment. Many orthodontists offer in-house financing to those who apply. The key for orthodontists is to provide service to those who need it.
3 You don’t have to go to an office to get straight teeth
The reason that an orthodontist requires you to come in monthly to get your braces tightened or to alter your aligners is that they want to see your bite and your teeth as treatment progresses.
Fixing someone’s bite and giving them the smile they desire is an ongoing treatment course that sometimes has to be tweaked, which requires constant monitoring, not sending aligners through the mail.
4 Orthodontics take a long time
Not all types of orthodontic treatment take years to achieve the results desired. The amount of time the orthodontic treatment needs is dependent on the complexity of the correction. So, not everyone will have to endure a long treatment plan, but if you do, then it is necessary to get it right.
5 Orthodontic care is always for cosmetic reasons
Often, orthodontic treatment is for something other than aesthetics. If you have a maligned bite, it will lead to premature tooth decay or complications like TMJ, an excruciating condition of the jaw.
Orthodontic care is sometimes necessary for the longevity of your teeth, and not just about having a beautiful smile, although that is a nice outcome.
6 The only type of orthodontic care an orthodontist offers is braces
Most orthodontic specialists will offer many different modalities of treatment. The type recommended will most likely depend on which type of correction they are trying to make and how well each modality works for different conditions.
In addition to offering traditional braces, San Diego orthodontists usually provide things like clear braces, colored braces, and invisible aligners when appropriate. Since there are a vast number of ways that the teeth and jaw can be corrected, your orthodontist will work with you to decide the best way to tackle your problem.
7 Orthodontic treatment should only be done for children
It is never too late to have orthodontic care initiated. The American Association of Orthodontists states that one in every five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21, and that number continues to grow. Although young mouths are more easily malleable, that does not mean that adults can’t address orthodontic issues at any age. With the flexibility of treatment options available, many adults are opting for straighter smiles. Thanks to the many different types of straighteners and correctors, no one even has to know.
There is no mystery behind orthodontic care, but that does not mean that it is easy, or that there is a one size fits all plan for everyone who needs their bite corrected or their teeth straightened.
This doesn’t mean that once a plan for orthodontic care is set in motion, it won’t need to change, either. If you are going to have orthodontic care, make sure it is with someone who is monitoring you constantly to look for changes, offers you the best treatment options available and has the specific training to address whatever orthodontic concerns you are having.