As a parent, you want your child to be happy and healthy. Orthodontic health is a vitally important component of one’s overall health, and properly aligned, beautiful teeth can bring with them life-changing confidence. While many people might turn to their family dentist for orthodontic advice, there are numerous benefits of trusting an experienced orthodontist with caring for your family’s smiles.
At Brady Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer high-quality orthodontic care to patients of all ages in Lionville-Marchwood, Exton, and the surrounding area. Dr. Brady is passionate about creating healthy and beautiful smiles in his community, all the while providing exceptional, specialized care to families just like yours. To learn more about the differences between a general dentist and an orthodontist, as well as how our team can help you achieve a smile you feel proud to show off, just keep reading!
Education, Training, and Experience
While dentists and orthodontists both attend dental school, their paths diverge after graduation. Dentists generally go directly on to practice general dentistry, orthodontists must complete two to three years of additional specialized education and training to learn to identify and treat misalignment of the teeth and jaws. During this time, they also:
- study how a mouth grows and matures throughout one’s life
- learn biomechanical techniques to successfully maneuver the teeth with braces and aligners
- develop their diagnostic skills
- work on numerous case studies
As you can see, there’s quite a lot that goes into becoming an orthodontist! And while there are exceptions to every rule, most general dentists will not possess this level of training and experience. That being said, all dentists do receive some basic level of orthodontic training in dental school and are capable of providing limited orthodontic assessment and care to their patients. These dentists will often sharpen their skills with continuing education seminars and workshops.
The downside to this, of course, is that workshops and seminars can’t quite cover the same extensive material in the same depth as the years of specialized education and training an orthodontist receives. Dentists with orthodontic experience will still lack the level of specialization and expertise of a dedicated orthodontist.
More Treatment Options For Your Smile
If you already have a family dentist, we understand that you might want to consult them for your orthodontic treatment. After all, you most likely are used to them and their team, and it’s natural to choose people you know over those you do not. However, before you ask your dentist to provide you with orthodontic treatment, you should consider the benefits of working with an experienced orthodontist at Brady Orthodontics. These include:
- a wider variety of treatment options, like metal braces, clear braces, and clear aligners like Invisalign
- a customized treatment plan custom-tailored to work with your needs, lifestyle, and desired results
- more efficient visits and treatment, since orthodontia is their main focus
- the best possible outcome for your smile, especially if your case is complex or severe
At Brady Orthodontics, our primary focus is orthodontic care and treatment. Dr. Brady performs countless teeth straightening procedures and works tirelessly to stay on top of his game. Our entire team also stays up to date on the latest in industry practices by regularly enrolling in continued education courses. Our Exton office is equipped with the latest orthodontic equipment, allowing us to provide patients with high-quality care and stunning results. Treatment options include:
Invisalign
The Invisalign system consists of a series of made-to-order plastic aligners that are nearly invisible and completely removable. Unlike traditional braces, no brackets or wires are needed to move your teeth! This gives you a level of freedom and flexibility that traditional braces just can’t beat. Designed to fit snugly but comfortably over your teeth, Invisalign provides a subtle and highly effective orthodontic experience. When worn the recommended 20-22 hours per day, and changed out weekly with the next in the set, these aligners will gradually move your teeth into the desired positions.
Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces remain the most widely used orthodontic appliance, and have improved dramatically from the nightmarish metal apparatuses of old! They are typically made of a mix of high-grade stainless steel, nickel, and other durable, mouth-safe metals. Bands wrap around the back molars and small metal brackets are cemented to the front surfaces of the other teeth. Then, a thin, springy metal wire is run through the brackets and attached with flexible elastics, metal ties, or another type of clasp. All of these components cooperate to gently guide your teeth into the desired positions over time.
Clear Braces
Also called ceramic braces, these function in the same way metal braces do, but are made of clear materials instead of stainless steel. Because they are less visible than traditional braces, they’re popular with older teens and adult patients who tend to not want their braces on display. They are larger and more brittle than their metal counterparts, so we tend to use them on the upper front teeth more often than the lower teeth.
Specialized Care Produces the Best Smiles
As the patient, you have the right to choose the healthcare provider you feel most comfortable with. But when it comes to the way your smile looks, feels, and functions, we think it makes sense to find an orthodontist who has specialized education and training specifically focused on how to safely and effectively move your teeth – and we have one of the best! Dr. Brady has years of experience creating healthy, beautifully aligned smiles.
Receiving orthodontic care from an experienced orthodontist can also help you avoid complications. Orthodontists are more likely to notice small things that a general dentist might overlook, and can design a treatment plan to meet your unique needs. This can improve treatment times and reduce the chance of anything going wrong during your treatment. The treatment plan itself will be effective, affordable, and built around your unique smile.
Trust Your Family’s Smiles to Brady Orthodontics
When you turn to an experienced orthodontist for orthodontic care, you can be confident that you’ll receive only the best care and treatment. Our team will take as much time as you need to ensure you understand your treatment and feel comfortable with your care. We strive to provide a welcoming environment and top-quality service from your first appointment to your last! And since our only focus is orthodontics, we are able to give our patients nothing but the best.
If you’re ready to take the first step towards a healthier smile, we would love to meet with you! When you schedule your initial consultation with our office, you’ll receive a thorough evaluation from one of our expert doctors and a treatment plan customized to your specific needs and goals.
This consultation is a no-pressure visit! Even if you decide to delay the start of your orthodontic treatment, our team will be happy to answer any questions or address any concerns you might have to help you make the best choice for your smile.
Your family deserves a lifetime of healthy smiles! Get in touch today to schedule your free in-office or virtual exam!
