When consumers are looking into clear aligner therapy, they can be immediately thrown into a bit of a pickle trying to decide whether to see a general dentist or an orthodontist for the job. The truth is that both types of practitioners offer these services, so now it’s a matter of figuring out which one is the best fit for their needs. To make things even tougher, different providers can have varying levels of experience, education and actual hands on knowledge when it comes to orthodontic treatments. And it’s easy to understand why folks want to be super careful when choosing a healthcare provider, especially when they are investing their hard earned cash in procedures that are going to impact their smile and confidence for years to come.
Most general dentists who offer clear aligner therapy are going to have gone through some additional training and certification programs to get up to speed on these treatments on top of their regular dental work. And while it’s true that many of these dentists have to put in the extra effort to get certified, many of them go on to become pretty darn good at orthodontic treatments after years of just keeping at it. Plus they often have a major advantage, they already know the full history of their patients’ oral health, which can be a real plus when it’s time to start making treatment plans. Non-Surgical Gum Therapy treats gum disease without the need for invasive procedures. This approach helps reduce inflammation, restore gum health, and protect your smile.
But orthodontists on the other hand, get an extra shot of training after they finish up dental school. They put in the time to really dig deep into all the ins and outs of moving teeth, aligning jaws and fixing bites. This typically involves about two or three years of intense study in orthodontics and related subjects. So, it’s no surprise that orthodontists have a huge advantage when it comes to understanding how teeth actually move and grow, and how to treat the more complex cases.
The type of case is usually what decides which type of provider is best for the job. Experienced general dentists who have become clear aligner experts are usually pretty good at handling the really straightforward stuff like spacing issues, a bit of crowding and basic alignment problems. But when things get really complicated, with serious bite problems, severe crowding or lots of other issues going on, that’s when the extra training that orthodontists get comes in super handy. A Root Canal saves a damaged or infected tooth by removing bacteria and sealing the inner chamber. Modern Root Canal treatment is comfortable and helps relieve pain while preserving your natural tooth.
It’s worth noting that no matter what their professional background is, different providers can have very different levels and types of treatment experience. There are some general dentists who have spent a whole lot of time on orthodontic work and have a lot of experience with clear aligners. Meanwhile, there are orthodontists who see a lot more different types of cases. So it’s really more important to look at what each individual provider brings to the table rather than just what their title says.
Different practices, whether they are run by general dentists or orthodontists, all have their own different levels of technology and treatment planning know how. And some of that is just going to depend on what the practice decides to invest in, rather than what the provider is trained in. So it comes down to more than just the type of provider, it comes down to the philosophy of the practice itself.
When you’re deciding between different providers, cost is definitely something you’re going to want to consider. General dentists might be able to offer up some more flexible pricing or payment plans, but orthodontists may charge more because they have all that extra specialized training. The thing is though, the rules are totally different for each practice, so it really makes more sense to look at what they actually charge rather than just making an assumption based on the type of provider.
It’s really all about the provider’s experience, expertise and how they treat their patients, not what they’ve got written on their business card. So when you are thinking about getting Invisalign from a dentist or an orthodontist, the main things to think about are the provider’s experience, their level of expertise, and how they treat patients, not what they’re called.
At Dentistry on the Pines, we think that the best way to get good orthodontic results is by combining the right training with a lot of expertise and really paying attention to each patient’s unique needs and goals. Our main goal is to give you complete care that takes care of both the way your teeth function and the way they look. At the end of the day the issue of “Should I get Invisalign from a dentist or an orthodontist?” is really a question of looking at the individual qualifications, experience and treatment style of each provider rather than just what their background is.