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Dentist vs Orthodontist for Invisalign on Long Island NY
Invisalign has been a great solution for people looking to improve their smile, but deciding who to see can be confusing. Choosing between a dentist and an orthodontist in Woodbury NY 11797 for Invisalign treatment can be difficult.
Orthodontists are trained in the latest technology, but many people prefer to see their general dentist. This article will help you understand the difference between these two types of dental specialists so that you can make your decision with confidence.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is the brand name of a type of teeth straightening treatment plan, which uses clear plastic aligners to straighten teeth. It is a type of clear braces used to correct teeth alignment. Invisalign is made of a series of clear, plastic aligners that fit over your teeth. You wear them for about two weeks before switching to the next set in the series.
Invisalign can correct a wide range of dental problems, including crooked teeth, gaps between teeth, and protruding teeth. They are custom-made and worn like regular braces for about 20 hours per day during treatment. The Invisalign provider will take a mold of your teeth and send it to the Invisalign manufacturer. They will then create an exact set of aligners for you. Each tray gets replaced every two weeks until your dentist or orthodontist has achieved their desired results.
The Invisalign process can be completed by both dentists and orthodontists depending on your specific case.
Invisalign vs traditional braces?
Traditional braces are the most common way to straighten your teeth, but they can be bulky and uncomfortable. With Invisalign, some people can keep their aligners on when eating lunch or brushing their teeth at home — which means you don’t have to remember to take them out before every meal time!
Some people might also find that Invisalign fits better into their lifestyle as it doesn’t require them to change what they eat or drink. However, conventional braces are a lot cheaper and, as compared to Invisalign, many insurance companies will cover at least a portion of the cost of regular braces.
What does a general dentist do?
A general dentist is a healthcare professional who specializes in general all-encompassing oral health and dental care. They can provide preventive and restorative services, including dental exams, cleaning, X-rays, fillings, crowns, and root canals. Some general dentists may go beyond strictly oral health issues to also offer cosmetic dental procedures including Invisalign treatments.
Unlike our practice, not all dentists on Long Island NY 11797 can also provide orthodontic treatments like Invisalign. They will likely refer you to an orthodontist if you need more specialized care.
What does a cosmetic dentist do?
A cosmetic dentist is a dental professional who specializes in the aesthetics of teeth. They can help improve the aesthetic appearance of your teeth.
She or he may be able to fix dental problems that you have, such as crooked or broken teeth, discoloration, and chips. They can also offer treatments like teeth whitening and veneers. Aesthetic dentists may also be able to provide Invisalign treatment, teeth whitening, and veneers to give you a more aesthetically pleasing smile.
If you are unhappy with the visual and aesthetic look of your smile, you may want to consider seeing a cosmetic dentist.
What does an orthodontist do?
An orthodontist is a dentist who exclusively specializes in teeth alignment using the latest orthodontic technology. Before specializing in orthodontics, one must have completed their dental school to be a fully-certified dentist.
An orthodontist is a very specific kind of dentist who specializes in creating and maintaining the ideal structure of the teeth, jawbones, and lips. She or he can use special braces and other devices to align your smile (instead of traditional braces) against moving teeth. Experienced orthodontists can also treat problems like overcrowding and underbite through their orthodontic treatment.
In contrast to general dentist treatment options, orthodontic work is a specialty with its own unique set of challenges and benefits. Expert orthodontists have several years of extra education in the field of orthodontics that can be helpful when it comes to providing braces or other devices for proper alignment of the teeth.
Orthodontists are also trained in dental school towards dental surgery procedures such as extractions and implants which may come in handy during extreme cases requiring tooth removal.
Although this type of medical training isn’t required in dental school on behalf of general dentists for their typical treatment plans (like regular checkups and cleanings), many opt to receive further continuing dental school education on top-of-the-line products available today like Invisalign which help improve their overall dental practices while increasing their professional credibility.
Most orthodontists can provide care for misaligned or crowded teeth as well as bite problems like TMJ disorder (aka TMD). They may also offer Invisalign. Other services offered by an experienced orthodontist include braces, retainers, headgear for children with growth issues as well as a few cosmetic procedures.
What does an orthodontic treatment include?
Orthodontic treatment is the process of utilizing various orthodontic appliances to straighten your teeth. These devices are then worn by patients for some time until their orthodontist determines that they have reached the desired correction, at which point they are removed.
An experienced orthodontist might utilize several different types of braces including traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, and lingual braces. He or she might also prescribe a retainer to help maintain the corrected alignment of your teeth after treatment is complete.
The orthodontic process usually takes around two years on average, but this varies depending on the severity of misalignment and other factors. The cost of orthodontic treatments will also vary depending on your specific cases, but they typically range between $5,000 – $10,000 on average.
Orthodontist or Dentist: Who should I see for Invisalign treatment?
That’s a great question! You can go to either your dentist for Invisalign treatment or an orthodontist, but it’s important to know the differences between the two dental professions.
If you are not sure whether you should see an orthodontist or dentist for Invisalign, your best bet is to go in for a consultation with each to truly evaluate the pros and cons.
Here is some final information on the biggest differences that can help you decide:
- A dentist can provide initial consultation and evaluation for Invisalign.
- An orthodontist can treat more complex cases with Invisalign and has additional training in straightening teeth (but they cost a lot more).
- If you have a highly complex dental problem that, it is best to see an orthodontist.
- If you are looking for general treatment and want to improve the appearance of your smile, you can see general dentists.
We feel it is best to schedule consultation with a general dentist first to address their oral health. Once a full treatment plan is created, the general dentist determines if they can provide optimal Invisalign care to the patient. If this is a more complex case, then a referral is given to see an orthodontist or oral surgeon depending on the situation. It is ideal for them to see a general dentist first before anything else.
If you have mild to moderate dental problems on Long Island NY 11797 that can be corrected with Invisalign then it’s likely you’ll be a good candidate for our treatment. You don’t need perfect teeth – Invisalign can even correct minor crowding and spacing issues – but you do need to have enough adult tooth eruption such that we can make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
As reputed Invisalign providers, we will work with you to determine whether you’re a good candidate and what treatment is best for your teeth and lifestyle before we begin to make your Invisalign aligners.
Kate Brayman DDS
8285 Jericho Turnpike Suite 3B
Woodbury NY 11797
Call us: 516 340 6012
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