Life is filled with memorable and important milestones. Your first day of school, your first kiss, buying your first car. Although it may not seem to be as extravagant, for many of us, straightening our smiles by visiting an orthodontist is another big step. This is because it’s a significant investment both time and money-wise. But having a beautiful smile can do wonders regarding our mental health. It helps us feel more confident when we smile and talk to new people.
Orthodontics treatment may not necessarily be for everyone, but if you’re looking for more information about it, contact our local dental practice today. Our staff is here to assist you with all your oral health endeavors.
Dental Specializations
Modern advancements in dentistry have made it so that we can seek out and obtain forms of treatment that are tailored to our unique oral health needs. It doesn’t matter how old you are, what your medical background is, or the type of issue you need to have remedied, there is an avenue of care out that will serve you best.
This can include:
- Preventative dentistry. Treatments include dental fillings, routine cleanings, oral cancer screenings, and x-rays.
- Cosmetic dentistry. This deals with the aesthetics of your smile.
- Restorative dentistry. This is all about repairing the functionality and structure of your teeth
- Pediatric dentistry. Care is exclusive to infants, kids, and young adults. Once you’ve reached 18 years of age, you’ll transition to seeing a general dentist.
- Endodontics. Endodontists focus on treating root canals.
- Periodontics, which focuses on identifying and treating gum disease.
- Orthodontics.
As many of us are aware, orthodontics refers to preventing, diagnosing, and repairing teeth that are out of line and irregular bite patterns. Orthodontists can also provide customized dental guards, particularly retainers. These devices are provided to you after your braces have come off to ensure that your teeth remain in their new positions.
If you have questions or concerns about the types of dental care, including Phoenix orthodontist, get in touch with us today!
FAQs:
Before you undergo any form of dental care, specialized or not, you’ll need to book – and attend – an initial consultation with your dental provider. It is this session that will determine whether you’re given the green light to go ahead and receive orthodontics near you.
Furthermore, this is also a wonderful chance for you to ask questions of your orthodontist. Don’t be afraid to go home and do your own research too. The more information you have about a certain treatment, the more comfortable you’ll feel when the time comes to receive it.
With that said, it can be tough knowing what you should inquire about. So, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best questions about orthodontic care that you should consider before committing to anything. They are as follows:
Is a dentist a trained orthodontist specialist?
No. General or family dentists are not the same as orthodontists. Even though your dentist can provide braces and even clear aligners alongside standard treatments like dental crowns, fillings, and simple tooth extractions, they’ll typically refer you to an orthodontist. These professionals provide only provide advanced orthodontic care.
Education-wise, dentists need to obtain an undergraduate degree and must complete a general dentistry course for a certified program. This usually takes 2 or 3 years to do. In comparison, an orthodontist must complete all of that, plus an additional few years of advanced training. During this time, they’ll learn about the growth of your teeth and jawbone, examine specific cases, study biomechanics, and develop their diagnostic skills.
What treatment options do orthodontists offer?
When it comes to receiving braces, there are a few different paths you can pursue:
- Traditional braces, which contain metal brackets, arch wires, and sometimes small elastics.
- Ceramic braces. These braces are pretty much identical to metal braces, but they are clear, and therefore more subtle.
- Lingual braces. Lingual braces are installed on the underside of your mouth behind your teeth.
- Clear aligner therapy. Invisalign treatment is the most well-known form of clear aligner therapy. Trays fabricated from high-grade dental plastic are used to move your teeth.
How frequent are follow-up appointments with an orthodontist?
Your orthodontic team will be sure to walk you through the subsequent treatment process, including when you’ll need to return to have your mouth evaluated. They’ll make a note of your progress too. On average, most patients come in about every 4 to 6 weeks; that said, depending on your situation, it may be more or less frequent.
Are their treatments affordable?
Here at E&S Orthodontics, we firmly believe that everyone should be able to access the dental care they need. Strictly speaking, orthodontic treatments usually cost more than ordinary processes like receiving cleaning, so it is a serious long-term investment. That said, the staff at our dental practice are happy to assist you however we can; we’ll contact your dental insurance provider and help you figure out the best, most affordable route. Please email or call us today to find out more.
At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that the cost of your treatment is dependent on the extent of care you require to amend your smile as well as the length of your treatment. Most orthodontic treatments last anywhere between 12 to 18 months, sometimes up to 2 years.
What is the cheapest orthodontic treatment?
Once again, since orthodontic care is specialized care beyond what a general dentist provides, regardless of whether you’re acquiring braces or Invisalign, it will be more costly.
But that doesn’t mean it’s unattainable. Alongside speaking with your dental insurance provider about orthodontic insurance, and contacting non-profit organizations, dental discount plans may be available as well. For example, post-secondary students often qualify for such discounts.
How much do braces cost in Phoenix?
Your treatment depends on a couple of factors including your personal preferences about dental aesthetics, your budget, the condition of your oral hygiene, whether you need treatment before you can have braces like a root canal or a tooth extraction to address overcrowding, and what your orthodontist recommends.
Generally, orthodontic treatments like braces can cost a few thousand dollars. The price tag typically falls around $4,000 to $8,000.
How do I find the best orthodontist in Phoenix?
Looking to receive quality family orthodontics near you? At E&S Orthodontics, our amazing team, led by Dr. Ousama El-Hillal looks forward to being a part of your unique dental journey. We put our patients first above all else and will do all we can to ensure that you are relaxed and feel welcome each time you come in and visit us.
What happens at your first orthodontist consultation?
Your initial consultation is a private one-on-one session where your orthodontist will examine your teeth and gums through a physical assessment and take x-rays. These steps help them establish a current baseline of your dental health which, in turn, allows them to recommend the most appropriate course of action. Your personal preferences will also be discussed, like how you feel about traditional braces compared to Invisalign.
Get in Touch with Our Local Dental Practice Today!
It’s never, ever too late to achieve the smile of your dreams. At E&S Orthodontics, we cater to a brand demographic of patients and consider each one of you as a vital part of our family. We value the trusting, professional relationship we’ve built with the surrounding communities, and will continue to serve you and champion your dental needs now and in the future.
If you’re ready to set up an appointment with one of our orthodontists today, feel free to call, visit our company website, or drop by for an in-person visit to get started. We’ll find a time that works best with your busy schedule.
We’re very excited to start working with you!
