Cosmetic Dentistry Daily
The Role of Orthodontist in Dentistry
Posted 04 October 2007
There is a bit of confusion about just what do orthodontist do differently than dentist. Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that is concerned with the position of the teeth.
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry. It is concern with the study and the treatment of various conditions that have to do with what are called malocclusions. These are basically misaligned bites resulting from improper teeth positioning or sometimes the relationship of the teeth and the bones of the jaw. The word comes from Greek roots that mean "straight teeth." So what do orthodontist do? They basically straighten teeth.
One of the primary reasons for orthodontic treatment is to improve the cosmetic appearance of the face. Large overbites are considered to be unattractive as are uneven or protruding teeth. In many cases, the purpose of the treatment is more practical and concentrates on improving the relationship of the teeth and the effectiveness of the "bite."
One of the main tools of the orthodontist are braces and retainers. The use of braces, especially during periods of growth can put the teeth into proper alignment as the facial bones expand. Once the proper alignment is achieved, retainers are worn to keep the teeth in position. In some cases the retainers are worn, at least at night, for quite a long time to insure a successful treatment.
The training of an orthodontist is quite extensive. Since it is a specialty of dentistry, the training and certification come as a result of post-graduate study taken by dentists. This means that the candidate has to first become a dentist before even applying to a school for the advanced training needed to be an orthodontist.
The actual practice requires several things from the experienced orthodontist. First, they must be able to diagnose the exact nature of the problem. Second, they must be able to understand all of the factors that contribute to or cause the problem to exist. These steps are all part of the diagnosis process. Once the problem is fully understood, a treatment plan must be devised that will eliminate the problem or, at the very least, improve it. Once a treatment plan is developed, it must be presented to the patient in a way that allows him to understand what is involved including risk, duration of treatment, prognosis of success, and cost. Once the patient accepts the plan, the actual treatment must be carried out and monitored until its conclusion.
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Aazdak Alisimo writes for the orthodontist directory at OrthodontistWeb.com.
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