Why choose an orthodontist over a dentist for Invisalign® treatment?

why orthodontist invisalign

Fact: every orthodontist you meet respects dentists. In fact, every orthodontist is a dentist–but not every dentist is an orthodontist. While dentists focus on the critical ongoing care, maintenance and repair of the teeth and gums, orthodontists focus on moving and properly aligning the teeth and jaw to create healthy, functional smiles.

If you’re considering Invisalign® treatment for yourself or your child, congratulations! Everyone deserves to have the beautiful, healthy smile of their dreams, even if you’re long past your teenage years. In fact, that’s one of many reasons why Invisalign clear aligners are so popular. They’re easy to conceal, removable, and best of all, highly effective when supervised by an expert.

Before you simply search for a local Invisalign provider, it’s important to understand the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist, and how you can achieve your ideal smile results. The best dentists and orthodontists work together to protect your teeth, but based on their specialization, Invisalign treatment is one area where orthodontists have the advantage.

The right training for moving teeth

By definition, an orthodontist is a medical professional who specializes in the diagnosis, correction, and prevention of misalignment of the teeth or jaw–exactly what Invisalign treatment was created to do as well. After completing dental school, orthodontists go through years of additional education and training, including practice and courses dedicated specifically to Invisalign treatment (more on that below).

While general dentistry focuses on oral care (including tooth and gum decay, cavities, and oral hygiene), orthodontics focuses on tooth movement. Orthodontists are trained to use various methods to align crowded or crooked teeth and properly align the jaw, and they fully understand the strengths and shortcomings of each method, including Invisalign treatment.

Dentists are fully prepared to provide dental care, but typically have limited expertise on the movement of the teeth, jaw, and surrounding facial tissues. Many dentists only take a one-time training course to become a certified Invisalign provider and may only offer basic clear aligner treatment. If you consult with a dentist about Invisalign treatment, be sure they are legally and ethically able to provide you with the best and safest care possible for your unique needs.

The right training for Invisalign treatment

Originally, Invisalign treatment was created for both dentists and orthodontists to use. But today, orthodontists are the preferred Invisalign providers because they are better trained and more qualified to monitor and modify the treatment when needed.

Invisalign clear aligners are designed for optimal tooth movement, a critical step that orthodontists are more prepared for with their specialized training in shaping healthy smiles. Sometimes, dentists are unable to complete a patient’s Invisalign treatment due to unique circumstances they are not trained to resolve, and the patient winds up–you guessed it–at an orthodontist’s office. Orthodontists are trained to handle almost any situation regarding tooth and jaw movement and stay current on the latest Invisalign technology.

Of course, Invisalign treatment isn’t the best choice for everyone. And if you aren’t an ideal candidate, you can count on an orthodontist to explain why and offer different treatment options that can get you the smile results you want.

The right experience with Invisalign treatment

We’ve established that orthodontists have the specialized training needed to provide Invisalign treatment safely and effectively from start to finish. Now imagine finding an orthodontist who actually specializes in Invisalign treatment.

Experience counts in just about any industry but especially for something as important as your smile. Orthodontists with extensive Invisalign experience have well-practiced skills and are better suited to handle complicated cases than less experienced providers.

Ross Orthodontics is an Invisalign Diamond Plus Provider, which means that our orthodontists are in the top 1% of all Invisalign providers in North America. We currently provide Invisalign clear aligners to hundreds of patients every year. Will you be next?

Some dentists may offer Invisalign clear aligners at a lower price than an orthodontist would, especially if they have less Invisalign experience or only offer basic treatment. Deciding if this is a “better” price is up to you. Just remember that you only get one smile, and it’s yours for the rest of your life. If you want your new smile to be as perfect as possible, it may be wise to invest in high-quality, specialized orthodontic care.

Find out if Invisalign treatment is right for you

Invisalign treatment is an excellent solution for a variety of issues, including crowded or crooked teeth. Invisalign clear aligners may not look like much (invisibility is the point!), but while you’re going about your busy day, your Invisalign aligners are hard at work gently shifting your teeth into place. They are also removable, so you can take them out when needed for eating, drinking, or brushing and flossing your teeth.

Contact Ross Orthodontics today for a [free_orthodontic_consultation_link text=”free consultation” class=”” title=”free consultation” target=”_self”] and see for yourself why Invisalign treatment with our orthodontist provides predictable, higher-quality results. No dentist referral is necessary!

Because we value your time as much as you do, we take care of everything in one convenient visit. This includes:

  • One-on-one time with a doctor
  • Digital x-rays and photos
  • iTero® 3D scan of your teeth and gums
  • Financial consultation including $0 down and 0% interest financing

To learn more about Invisalign treatment and find out if it’s the right solution for you, [free_orthodontic_consultation_link text=”schedule a consultation” class=”” title=”schedule a consultation” target=”_self”] with Ross Orthodontics today.