If you or someone in your family needs orthodontics work, you can just go to your regular dentist… right?
Well, not necessarily. Most general dentists are going to know the basics of orthodontic work, but these are distinct sub-fields of dentistry. Your typical dentist specializes in matters like cleaning teeth and filling cavities. Orthodontics are a very different matter and require a different skillset. When you need braces or other corrective gear, going to a Rancho Cucamonga orthodontics specialist really is the better solution.
Four Reasons You Want A Rancho Cucamonga Orthodontics Specialist
1 – They receive special training
If a dentist wants to be an orthodontist, that requires a lot of extra work! There are another 2-3 years of study beyond what it takes to get a basic DDS degree, plus the need for an internship and such. It truly is a specialized field that requires significantly more training and study before a dentist is qualified.
2 – A better understanding of the treatment options
Along with the hands-on side of orthodontics training, technology is another issue. Orthodontic tech has advanced by leaps and bounds in the last couple decades, with many new techniques – such as InvisAlign or Incognito braces – that can be great alternatives to traditional braces in certain circumstances. But only a dedicated orthodontist is likely to be aware of all the options on the market, and the situations where they are a good fit for a patient.
3 – A more hands-on sort of treatment
A typical dentist is going to see their patients maybe once or twice a year, in most cases. But orthodontics is much more hands-on and require a lot more visits – sometimes weekly or biweekly. That calls for a different kind of patient care and focus, and not all traditional dentists are accustomed to working the same patients’ week after week for months.
4 – Long–term thinking
The other big difference between orthodontics and regular dentistry is that a dentist is usually just responding to what’s in a patient’s mouth. If there’s a cavity, they drill. But an orthodontist is going to be thinking months or years ahead. A course of orthodontic treatment is predictive and requires careful planning so that a mistake in Month 1 doesn’t create problems a year later.
Do you need a Rancho Cucamonga orthodontics specialist? Contact California Dental Care & Orthodontics today for an appointment!