What is an Orthodontist

An orthodontist is a dentist that has undergone additional training to treat teeth and jaw issues such as malocclusions (underbite overbite, crossbite, crowding, gapped teeth), crooked teeth and jaw misalignment. This has historically been achieved with metal braces, and more recently with clear aligners.

What is the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist

All orthodontists and dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. In the UK an orthodontist must pass an additional 3-year graduate course at Masters or Doctorate levels and must train in a dental practice, delivering dentofacial orthopaedics, restorative dentistry, paediatric dentistry and maxillofacial surgery.

Both dentists and orthodontists should be registered with the GDC (General Dental Council) to practice.

Dentists commonly provide:

• Oral hygiene
• Fillings
• Crowns
• Whitening
• Extractions
• Veneers
• Dental Implants

Orthodontic treatments

Orthodontic treatments focus on teeth straightening and jawline improvement.

• Teeth straightening
• Crowding and gap teeth
• Fixing crossbite, overbite, underbite
• Correcting open bite
• Making teeth wear evenly

What do orthodontists do

Orthodontists use orthodontic devices such as wired metal braces and clear aligners to straighten teeth. This fixes a wide range of problems that could affect your lifestyle and helps improve speech, helps you to eat comfortably and gives you more confidence that comes from a straight white smile. Orthodontists treat malocclusions including crossbite, overbite and underbite, treating tooth rotation, crowding and gaps, and improving overall oral health by reducing susceptibility to cavities, gum disease and correcting your jaw line.

Orthodontic treatments are often recommended for individuals aged 12 years old into adulthood.

Free NHS orthodontist

Children aged 12-18 can get orthodontic treatments free of charge on the NHS. There are long waiting lists, so treatments are assessed to help with prioritisation. The NHS uses the IOTN framework to assess eligibility with treatments available for grade 4 and 5 cases. Grade 3 cases are judged individually with priority given if the jawline or face shape is affected.

Orthodontists for adults

There are no free NHS orthodontic treatments for adults. As a result, adults should seek help from a private orthodontist. Private orthodontists can charge from £2,000 – £6,000 for a course of treatment.

In all cases you should have good oral health before orthodontics will be viable. Your orthodontist may recommend treatments for cavities and gum disease before braces can be fitted. Orthodontic treatments are often followed up with a retainer which can be worn when required to help maintain your alignment for the next 12 months.

Orthodontics

Orthodontics are the name given to a range of medical devices designed to straighten teeth and improve jawlines.

Metal braces

Evidence of wired braces have been found as early as 300 BC and evolved in the 18th century, resulting in the metal braces used today. Metal braces are fixed to your teeth using a metal or ceramic pad and use a wire under tension to pull teeth into alignment over time. Wired braces are cheap and require dental intervention to progress the teeth straightening process.

Treatments last from months to years depending on severity.

Metal brace patients experience some inconvenience with metal braces affecting speech, causing discomfort, are highly visible which can affect your confidence, limit the foods you can eat and require repeated visits to your orthodontist.

Clear aligners

Clear aligners are a new technology designed to deliver a cheaper, faster result compared to metal braces. Clear aligners are plastic retainers shaped to straighten your teeth over time. Instead of a single retainer, a course of clear aligners uses multiple retainers with slight differences reflecting your progress towards a straight smile.

Most clear aligner treatments last between 4 and 12 months depending on severity.

With clear aligners, patients have a much-improved experience when compared to metal braces. Aligners are cheaper and deliver a fast result compared to braces. They are removable which means your diet remains unrestricted and you can take them out to speak. Orthodontist visits are also greatly reduced as adjustment is as simple as putting in the next aligner in your series. With all teeth alignment treatments, you will still initially experience some pain however this can be treated with over-the-counter pain killers.

Headgear

Headgear is used where wired braces are not effective and teeth need to be pulled into a new direction.

Palate expander

Orthodontic palate expanders fit in the roof of your mouth and push teeth outwards to help widen an upper jaw.

Why see an orthodontist

You should see an orthodontist if you want to fix crooked deet, if your bite is irregular or if your worried about your jaw line. Your orthodontist can help treat a wide range of issues including

Malocclusion and Misalignment

Malocclusion (also known as a bad bite) occurs when your upper and lower teeth do not align. The types of malocclusion alignment issues that can be treated using braces or clear aligners include:

• Underbite is a condition that causes your lower teeth to protrude out beyond your top teeth
• Overbite/Overjet is a condition where your top teeth protrude out beyond your bottom teeth. Note – a slight overbite is normal.
• Crossbite is a condition where your upper molars are positioned inwards compared to your lower molars.
• Crowding is a condition where teeth overlap and/or are twisted due to their relative position to surrounding teeth.
• Gap teeth have space between teeth. Minor cases could also be caused by gum disease.
• Open bite can be seen when clenched teeth do not meet and there is a gap between top and bottom sets.

There are several categories of malocclusion.

• Class 1 malocclusion affects around 55% of children aged between 6-17. A class 1 malocclusion is defined by alignment issues of the front teeth only.
• Class 2 malocclusion are manifested by an underbite with misaligned top molars causing issues with chewing and a protruding jawline.
• Class 3 malocclusion further exaggerates the underbite with molar positions being far forwards of their natural position. This manifests in neck pain, back pain, tinnitus premature tooth wear and a pronounced underbite.

Having orthodontic treatments gives you better looking teeth, a brighter smile and can help improve your self esteem and improve your confidence.

Benefits of orthodontic treatments

Having orthodontic treatments like braces and clear aligners can potentially have a life changing effect.

• Having straight teeth helps you enjoy your favourite foods, improving biting and chewing
• You will be able to speak more clearly
• You will be able to smile more confidently and be less self-aware of your teeth
• You may become free from pain caused by jaw alignment
• Your oral health can improve with fewer cavities, tooth decay and gum disease

What to expect at your orthodontist

Treatment by your orthodontist typically starts with an oral examination to determine whether treatments can be started. This can include X-rays, 3D scans and impressions of your teeth. If you have no cavities and your gums are in good health, then treatment can begin.

FAQ

Do orthodontists repair teeth?

Orthodontists do not usually repair teeth. This is usually a treatment performed by dentists.

Can an orthodontist remove wisdom teeth?

Orthodontists usually do not remove wisdom teeth. This is usually a treatment performed by oral surgeons.

Does an orthodontist do dental implants?

An orthodontists usually do not do dental implants. This is usually a treatment performed by your dentist or implantologist.

Find an orthodontist near you

You can find an orthodontist near you in one of our Smile White approved dentists. Simply navigate to your area to find your local provider.