What is an Orthodontist?

While both Dentists and Orthodontists work with mouths and teeth, not many patients know the differences between the two or even what specifically an orthodontist is. Because patients with orthodontic treatments spend a year or two of their life going to an orthodontics office, Dr. Ana Castilla of Castilla Orthodontics near Monmouth, OR believes it is important for patients to know exactly what an orthodontist is.

What is an Orthodontist?

Like Doctors who choose to specialize in different fields, like neurology and endocrinology, an Orthodontist is a Dentist who has received special training to treat facial and dental anomalies. While all Orthodontists are qualified to be dentists, not all dentists can be orthodontists. This is because Orthodontists are qualified dentists first before going on to taking extra years of university-based classes and an orthodontic residency program.

What Services do Orthodontists provide?

Dr. Castilla provides care and orthodontic treatment in aligning a patient’s teeth, mouth, and jaw. Orthodontists help to correct patients’ malocclusions which is an abnormality in the alignment of the upper and/or lower teeth. These include underbites and overbites, crossbites, spaces between teeth, overcrowding of teeth, and the treatment of temporomandibular disorders. Orthodontists can fix these issues through different types of braces or retainers.

When it comes to fixing malocclusions and aligning smiles, Castilla Orthodontics uses four main types of braces: Traditional metal braces, clear ceramic braces, lingual braces, and Invisalign.

• Traditional Metal Braces: Traditional metal braces are the most common form used in treatment. They consist of metal brackets that are adhered to the front of the teeth, and banded together with a thermosensitive wire that slowly bends teeth into their intended position over time.
• Ceramic Braces: Ceramic braces are just like metal braces, but are clear or tooth-colored, camouflaging them into the teeth.
• Lingual Braces: Lingual braces are metal braces, but are adhered to the back of the teeth. This makes them much more expensive due to the difficult adhesion procedure, but completely hidden from view.
• Invisalign: Invisalign is a set of clear plastic aligner trays which can be removed to eat, brush, and floss. Each set is almost completely invisible, making Invisalign a popular method for teens and adults.

While Orthodontics provide these helpful services, they are not a substitute for dental checkups. It’s important to keep good dental hygiene a part of your daily routine, as it will keep your teeth healthy and clean and will reduce your treatment time. If you have non-removable braces, food and plaque can become stuck between gums and teeth, under wires, or between brackets. To lessen the risk of cavities, it is important to practice good brushing and flossing habits as well as reducing the consumption of foods that will cause damage to your teeth like candy or soda.

Orthodontists want to help you achieve a picture perfect smile through the use of orthodontic appliances such as braces. For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ana Castilla, the best orthodontist near Monmouth, OR and the Castilla Orthodontics team, please visit our office or call 503-399-0721.