The way teeth grow is a very funny thing. In contrast, we are all genetically programmed to have teeth. Of course, that programming sort of goes out of the window when it comes to those teeth actually growing. That is to say, it is up to a lot of personal influence as to how those teeth will come in. Millions of children need braces while their parents did not. You never know when those teeth might decide to start coming in crooked, or an overbite happens, or some other issue that will require braces. This is why it’s always a good idea to have an orthodontist you can trust nearby. They are generally for younger patients, though with the new Invisalign technology out there, a lot of older patients are also visiting the orthodontist’s office to have their teeth straightened.
Because orthodontists deal with issues in the mouth, many people think that they should go visit them when they’re experiencing the sorts of pains and other symptoms associated with cavities. Unfortunately, cavities are pretty common occurrences. Even people who take care of their teeth can end up suffering from them. But should you go see an orthodontist at a place like Impact Orthodontics to deal with your cavity issues? Here is some information on that topic.
No, But They Can Help
To put it clearly and succinctly, you should not see the orthodontist with the expectation that they will fix your cavity for you. This is an entirely different discipline than basic dentistry, and thus an orthodontist will not provide fillings, perform root canals, or any other procedure. However, that is not to say that your local orthodontist cannot be beneficial in assisting you with your cavity issues in some way.
For instance, because you will see your orthodontist due to having braces, they will be looking at your teeth a lot more than a dentist would. You may not even have an appointment with the dentist for a year, or perhaps longer, whereas you are seeing the orthodontist every couple of months. They can initially spot a cavity in your mouth, and they will be the one to remove bands and brackets so that the dentist can have access to the tooth for filling the cavity.
The Duties of An Orthodontist
Orthodontists might not deal with cavities, but they still have quite a few duties to perform. An orthodontist is a specialist in teeth and jaw alignment. To this end, there are all sorts of different issues where they can offer assistance and help you retain an aligned mouth.
Of course, their most common job is going to be fitting people for braces and then offering ongoing care while those braces do their job. This includes tightening up and adjusting those braces after a certain amount of time has passed. They can also assist in any sort of jaw alignment issues, such as TMJ, also known as lockjaw. Many different orthodontic practitioners are qualified to perform surgery, so these are highly skilled, qualified doctors who must go through med school and residency like any other doctor.
Think Locally
If you’re opting for a personal, permanent orthodontist, it will help you greatly to think and look locally. Whether you are hauling your children back and forth or if you’re the one going, having less of a distance to travel is going to save you a lot of time and money on fuel. Plus, a local practitioner provides you with a sense of community and comfort, unlike some huge city facility that’s sterile and makes you feel out of place. So, if you can find an orthodontist’s office that is relatively local to you, that’s a good thing.
Quality Matters
You also want to make sure that you’re going with an orthodontist that is well-reviewed and offers quality services. A lot of those really small mom ‘n pop locations feel quaint and comfortable, but you’re not always getting the best level of care there, and you will not always find the latest technologies like Invisalign. So, you sort of have to match up the local part with an orthodontist who is still very adept at what they do.
The good news is that you can easily find a quality, local orthodontist near you to handle your needs.