“Anyone can straighten teeth, right?”
“My dentist offers Invisalign.”
“I can order clear aligners online, take my own impressions
at home, and straighten my own teeth!”
Specialists exist in all categories of medicine. Take, for example, a cardiologist. A cardiologist is specially trained in the
diagnosis and treatment of problems related to your heart. If you, or someone you know, is having
heart-related problems, then logically you want that problem treated by the
best person available-the cardiologist.
Now, let’s take this one step further. When you were describing your concerns to
your general-practice physician he or she said that they have access to some
new techniques that allow them to treat your heart, or perform your surgery, at
a lower cost than the cardiologist. Do you
agree to treatment with the general-practice physician to save some money, or
do you ask to be referred to the cardiologist?
I know very well that treatment of crooked teeth is not a
life-or-death matter, as can be the case with heart problems, but the result of
improper orthodontic treatment can have a lasting effect on your teeth and
smile. Your orthodontist is
specially-trained to treat not just your crooked teeth but also how your teeth
bite together. This is not something we
do as a small part of our day. We spend our
waking hours focused on understanding all the factors as to why your teeth are
not straight as well as the different ways to fix them. Our responsibility is to listen to your concerns
and then help you to understand the different options available for
treatment. Our goal is to give you a
bite, or occlusion, that functions properly so that you can chew efficiently
and not wear down your teeth prematurely.
Our dedication to your smile results in a customized smile that fits your
face and personality. In summary, your orthodontist
knows what to do, and when to do it…at least when related to your teeth and
smile!
