When it comes to straight teeth, orthodontists and oral surgeons are vital. Let’s explore the differences between these two dental specialists.
Dentists often refer patients to orthodontists and oral surgeons to help them achieve straight teeth. These two specialty professions work together to help patients straighten their smiles, but there are some differences between the two.
Both orthodontists and oral surgeons are fully trained dentists who have undergone additional studies to act as specialists in their field. Much like there are doctors who specialize in a certain area, like sports medicine or radiology, orthodontists and oral surgeons offer services that require extra knowledge and skills beyond what can be offered by a normal dentist.
Related: Orthodontist In Santa Clarita Continues COVID-19 Protocols To ‘Keep You And Your Smile Healthy’
Specifically, orthodontists help straighten and align teeth and jaws using braces and similar treatments, while oral surgeons handle extractions, implants, grafts and other issues which can only be solved with surgery.
When a patient asks their dentist what they can do to achieve straight teeth, the dentist will often refer them to an orthodontist. Depending on the severity of misalignment and the age of the patient, orthodontists can recommend solutions such as braces and alignment trays to help move the teeth and jaws into better alignment.
Often, orthodontists will work directly with oral surgeons to treat tougher cases. Some patients will need minor surgical procedures either before or after being treated with braces so that newly straight teeth stay straight after braces are removed.
In some cases, wisdom teeth may need to be removed in order to keep teeth from crowding. Oral surgery may also be required in cases where the patient is older and the jaw has finished growing.
According to the Santa Clarita Orthodontist team at Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics, “surgical orthodontics is recommended when the jaws do not line up accurately and a proper bite cannot be attained with braces or other appliances alone.”
Embrace Your Smile officials say that they are able to determine whether a patient will need surgical intervention as part of their orthodontic treatment plan. However, most patients are good candidates for traditional braces or alignment trays, such as Invisalign, to achieve straight teeth.
Focusing on orthodontic treatments for children, teenagers and adults, Dr. Steven Gilbertson, Dr. Megan LeCornu and Dr. Pete Walker of Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics have gained a reputation for excellence as a premiere Santa Clarita orthodontist office. Formerly known as Gilbertson and LeCornu Orthodontics, the Embrace Your Smile team has always focused on customer service and customer choice, offering a range of options including Invisalign and traditional braces in a friendly, caring environment. By making their patients feel like family, Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics has been voted Best Orthodontist in Santa Clarita for nearly a decade. Santa Clarita residents looking for an “orthodontist near me” can contact Embrace Your Smile at either of the locations listed below.
Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics
23206 Lyons Avenue, Suite 206
Santa Clarita, CA 91321
(661) 259-2388
27891 Smyth Dr. Unit A
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 295-8288