What is an Orthodontist?

After a dentist attends orthodontic school, they’ll spend two or three years in an orthodontic residency, offering additional training to allow orthodontists to focus on the proper and safe movement of teeth, and dentofacial orthodontics - or how to properly guide the development of the teeth, jaw and face.

And that’s really all you need to know about what an orthodontic does - they’re specialists who focus on improving your bite by straightening and evenly spacing your teeth.

Why do I need to see one?

Even if you’re happy with your smile, your dentist might see that you have an issue with your bite - and that’s an issue. A healthy bite helps you eat, chew and speak properly, but if you have crooked or crowded teeth, teeth that are too far apart, or a jaw misalignment like an overbite or an underbite, it can have a whole series of knock-on effects that will make your life a little bit less fun.

Misalignment is the most common reason to see an orthodontist - the placement of your teeth is often hereditary, and can be the result of size difference between your upper and lower jaw, or between your jaw and your teeth. If you have tooth overcrowding, a misshapen jaw or an irregular bite, your orthodontist might treat you with the following:

Dental Appliances

Braces! Your orthodontist will be trained to apply metal, ceramic or plastic bonds to your teeth, before adding a set of wires or springs to help move your teeth into a better position. Depending on how severe the misalignment is, you might be able to wear clear aligners instead of traditional braces. In the past, braces have been associated with teenagers, but these days you’d be surprised by how many adults see an orthodontist to correct dental problems, and with dental technologies rapidly advancing over the past few decades, braces can be more discreet than you’d expect.

Surgery

If your overbite or underbite is particularly severe, an orthodontist might suggest corrective surgery to adjust the length of your jaw. This can make biting and speaking easier, and improve your overall appearance, easing your pain from joint disorders and making your teeth easier to clean - but it’s not a solution that’s taken lightly, and will only be suggested if less invasive treatments have proven to be unsuccessful.

What should I expect at the appointment?

Usually your dentist will be the one to point you towards an orthodontist after noticing a problem with your tooth alignment during a routine exam. Once you’ve booked in to see an orthodontic specialist, you’ll probably have photos of your face and smile taken, before dental x-rays of your face and head.

After this, your orthodontist might take impressions of your teeth to create molds, which will help them decide how to proceed with treatment, in order to identify which interventions would be the best fit for your needs.