subject: The Orthodontist - What You Should Know [print this page] If you're thinking about getting work done to your child's teeth or your own, there are some things you should know before choosing an orthodontist. It always pays to go into a decision such as this with as much information as possible. While many people will rely on their family dentist to make a recommendation, that isn't always enough. Choosing a medical professional based on an unrelated friendship or some other arbitrary reason isn't really good enough. To make the right choice-both of which professional you choose and the procedures you opt for-you need to do your research. Here are some things you should know before moving forward.
Straight Teeth and Your Health
It's a common misconception to think that having straight teeth is unrelated to oral health. But the orthodontist is not a cosmetic dentist. While fixing a small problem with symmetry here and there may have more to do with vanity than real dental health, the fact is that teeth that are straight are much less susceptible to decay and even being chipped through injury than crooked teeth. This is reason enough to consider braces. It goes further, though. A misaligned bite can cause your teeth to wear out unevenly and put extra pressure on your gums. If you pay for treatment now, it might cost a lot less than treating the problems it causes later.
Better Confidence
If you consult with an orthodontist, you'll learn soon enough that braces are expensive. Worse, many insurance companies will not cover much of their cost. You have to then weigh whether or not the treatment is worth the cost. Consider how much self-esteem and confidence can be lost to a mouthful of crooked teeth. Other than the eyes, the teeth are one of the first things you'll notice about a person. Crooked teeth, perhaps unfairly, are associated with poor dental care and a lower class of person. Gaps are associated with hillbillies and other unpleasant connotations. Like a strong country accent, it can take a lot of intelligence to overcome the stereotypes. Make no mistake about it, a straight set of teeth can carry a person far in life.
Treatment Times are Shortening
You probably remember having braces when you were a kid or you knew others who had them on forever. Treatment times have decreased in recent years, however. There is usually no need for the two-year marathon treatments that were required in the days of yore. Today, the orthodontist has many more tools at his disposal, and these new techniques can often treat you or your child's teeth in a much shorter time. Don't avoid looking into braces because you think it will take a long time. It might take less time than you think to have straight, even teeth.
