Orthodontists Unveiled: What They Really Do
Understanding What Do Orthodontists Do
When thinking about dental care, many wonder what do orthodontists do that sets them apart? Simply put, orthodontists are specialized dentists who diagnose, prevent, and correct the alignment of teeth and jaws, helping you achieve a healthy bite and a confident smile.
Here's the quick version:
What do orthodontists do?
- Diagnose misaligned teeth and jaws (malocclusions)
- Correct overbites, underbites, crossbites, and crowded or spaced teeth
- Use braces, clear aligners (e.g., Invisalign®), retainers, and other appliances
- Guide proper jaw growth and facial development
- Prevent future oral health problems by improving bite and alignment
If you've ever noticed crooked, crowded, or unevenly spaced teeth, chances are an orthodontist can help.
In fact, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, getting an early check-up (ideally by age 7) can catch and fix alignment issues before they become more serious. But adults benefit greatly too—it's never too late to improve your bite.
Basic what do orthodontists do glossary:
What Do Orthodontists Do?
Orthodontists are dental specialists who focus on one important task: making sure your teeth and jaws align perfectly. While general dentists handle all sorts of dental issues, orthodontists have specialized skills and training to diagnose and correct problems with your bite and tooth alignment. Simply put, if you're wondering what do orthodontists do, they're the dental pros that ensure you have a healthy, comfortable, and beautiful smile.
On an everyday basis, orthodontists spend their time closely examining patients using advanced tools, including X-rays, 3D imaging, and dental impressions. They carefully look for issues like crowded, crooked, or spaced-out teeth, as well as problems with the way your upper and lower jaws come together (known as malocclusions). Once they pinpoint exactly what's going on, orthodontists create personalized treatment plans custom specifically to each patient's unique dental needs.
An essential part of their job includes applying orthodontic appliances like braces (metal, ceramic, or clear) and clear aligners (such as Invisalign®). Orthodontists skillfully fit these devices onto your teeth and regularly adjust them to gradually move your teeth into their ideal positions. Throughout your treatment, regular check-ups help orthodontists monitor your progress and make adjustments to keep things on track.
But orthodontists also go beyond just straightening teeth. Especially for younger patients, orthodontists play a critical role in guiding healthy jaw growth and facial development. Early intervention can prevent more serious issues down the road, making orthodontic check-ups beneficial even for children as young as seven years old.
The American Association of Orthodontists explains that orthodontists undergo an additional 2-3 years of specialized training after completing dental school. This extra training gives them the expertise to handle complex alignment cases that general dentists usually refer to specialists.
As one orthodontist humorously put it, "We're not just here to make your teeth Instagram-ready—though that's definitely a bonus! Our real goal is ensuring you have a healthy bite and trouble-free oral health for life."
Difference Between Orthodontists and General Dentists
Many people wonder about the difference between orthodontists and general dentists—after all, they both help care for your teeth, right? The main distinction comes down to their training and area of expertise.
General dentists complete four years of dental school after college, earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. They handle a broad range of dental treatments, from cleanings and fillings to crowns, extractions, and general oral health maintenance.
Orthodontists, on the other hand, undergo an additional 2-3 years of specialized residency training on top of dental school. This intensive program totals around 3,700 extra hours specifically focused on tooth alignment, jaw growth, facial development, and orthodontic appliances. Think of it like medical school: your primary care doctor handles general health, but refers you to specialists for specific conditions. Similarly, your dentist helps keep your mouth healthy overall, but an orthodontist steps in when your teeth and bite need specialized attention.
In terms of treatment, general dentists often provide basic orthodontic care for minor alignment issues. However, when things get more complex or require specialized expertise, they typically refer patients to orthodontists. Orthodontists have advanced training in biomechanics—the science behind tooth movement—allowing them to expertly manage even the most challenging alignment cases.
Dr. Patricia Chien, an orthodontist, summarizes it nicely: "All orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. Our extra training means we're uniquely equipped to address alignment problems, create functional bites, and prevent dental issues down the road."
At Logan Dental Care in Bellefontaine, OH, we take a collaborative approach, bringing general dentists and orthodontic specialists together to give our patients comprehensive, personalized care. After all, two professional perspectives are better than one—especially when your smile is involved!
Common Conditions Treated by Orthodontists
Orthodontists see a wide range of issues every day, but it usually boils down to correcting problems related to teeth positioning and jaw alignment. These are often called “malocclusions,” meaning the bite doesn't line up properly. But what exactly are orthodontists looking for?
Some of the most common bite issues orthodontists treat include overbites, where the upper front teeth overlap the bottom teeth excessively; underbites, with the lower teeth protruding past the upper teeth (often giving a bulldog-like appearance); crossbites, where some upper teeth sit inside rather than outside the lower teeth when biting down; and open bites, where front teeth don't touch at all, leaving a noticeable gap even when the mouth is closed.
Another issue orthodontists address is crowding, when your mouth simply doesn't have enough space for all your teeth. Crowding causes teeth to twist, overlap, or push each other out of alignment. On the flip side, orthodontists also treat spacing or gaps, where teeth are too far apart—often due to missing teeth or extra room in your jaw.
Some patients also have jaw alignment problems, like Class II malocclusion with severely overlapping upper teeth, or Class III malocclusion, where the lower jaw noticeably juts forward. Orthodontists even help manage symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders when they're caused by bite issues.
Interestingly, research suggests that up to 93% of children and adolescents have some form of malocclusion, though less than 10% of these cases are medically urgent. Still, even non-urgent alignment issues can have major benefits once corrected, improving not just how your smile looks, but also how you speak, chew, and even feel—reducing risks of headaches or jaw pain.
At Logan Dental Care, we carefully evaluate each patient in our Bellefontaine office to see if orthodontic treatment makes sense. We believe in treating patients like family—meaning we won't recommend treatment unless it truly benefits your oral health, comfort, and overall well-being. And let's be honest—nothing feels better than having a smile you're proud to show off!
The Orthodontic Treatment Process
If you're wondering exactly what do orthodontists do during treatment, you're not alone. Knowing what to expect can help put your mind at ease as you start your journey toward a healthier, more confident smile.
At Logan Dental Care in Bellefontaine, OH, we've simplified the orthodontic process into clear stages—let's walk through them together:
1. Initial Consultation and Examination
Your orthodontic journey begins with a warm welcome at your first consultation. We'll start by chatting about your concerns, goals, and what you'd like your smile to look like when we're done.
Next, your orthodontist will take a closer look at your teeth, jaw, and overall facial structure. To get a detailed picture, we'll take some dental X-rays, photographs of your teeth and face, and either digital scans or impressions of your teeth. Don't worry—it's all completely painless.
All this information helps us understand your unique orthodontic needs, so we can create a personalized plan just for you. At this first meeting, we encourage you to ask any questions you might have. No question is too small—we want you to feel comfortable and confident every step of the way.
2. Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
After we've collected all your records, we'll carefully analyze everything to pinpoint your specific alignment issues and bite problems. Your orthodontist will map out exactly how your teeth need to move to achieve the best possible result.
We'll then sit down together and talk about your treatment options, whether it's traditional braces, clear aligners like Invisalign®, or other appliances. We'll discuss how long the treatment might take, what to expect along the way, and go over costs clearly. We believe that informed patients are happier patients, so taking the time to answer all your questions is important to us.
3. Active Treatment Phase
Once we've decided on your customized treatment plan, it's time to begin the exciting part—actually straightening your teeth! We'll place your orthodontic appliances, such as braces or clear aligners, to start gently moving your teeth into their ideal positions.
Depending on your needs, we might use additional orthodontic appliances like palatal expanders to create more space or correct bite issues. We'll schedule regular adjustment appointments (usually every 4-10 weeks) to check your progress and make sure everything is moving along as planned.
This active treatment phase can last anywhere from several months up to a couple of years, depending on your specific orthodontic needs. Rest assured, we'll be with you every step of the way, cheering you on toward your perfect smile.
4. Retention Phase
Congratulations—you've reached the finish line! Once your teeth are in their proper places, we'll remove your braces or attachments and give your teeth a thorough cleaning and polish. Now comes the important next step: making sure your stunning new smile stays put.
We'll fit you with retainers (either removable or fixed) designed specifically to keep your teeth in their new positions. We'll give you clear instructions on how to wear and care for your retainer, and we'll schedule periodic follow-ups to keep everything on track.
Why are retainers so important? Because teeth naturally want to shift back—you could say they have a stubborn memory! Without proper retainer use, more than half of orthodontic patients experience some shifting within 10 years. We don't want that happening to your beautiful new smile.
At Logan Dental Care, we take each phase of the orthodontic journey seriously, but we also enjoy having a little fun along the way. Our team in Bellefontaine, OH, is dedicated to making your experience positive and rewarding, always treating you like family and helping you achieve the smile you've always dreamed of.
Conclusion
Now that we've explored what do orthodontists do, you have a clear picture of how these dental specialists go beyond creating beautiful smiles. Orthodontists play a vital role in improving your overall oral health, helping you achieve not just a smile that looks amazing, but one that functions well for years to come.
Orthodontic treatment isn't just about straightening teeth—it’s about improving your quality of life. Properly aligned teeth are easier to keep clean, which means you'll have lower risks of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues. A healthy bite also makes everyday activities like chewing and speaking easier and more comfortable.
Beyond oral function, orthodontic treatment helps protect your teeth from unnecessary wear and tear. Crooked or misaligned teeth tend to wear unevenly or chip more easily. When your teeth and jaws align properly, you can avoid these potential issues, saving discomfort (and dental bills!) down the road.
Let's not underestimate the power of self-confidence either. Having a smile you feel proud to share is a serious confidence booster. It's amazing how much a healthy, attractive smile can impact your self-esteem, relationships, and even professional life.
You might think orthodontic care is just for kids, but that's far from true. While the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7, it's never too late to improve your smile. Did you know approximately 27% of orthodontic patients today are adults? So if you've been thinking you're too old for braces or Invisalign®, think again—you're in great company!
At Logan Dental Care in Bellefontaine, OH, our team is all about giving you the personalized dental care you deserve. We combine advanced orthodontic technology with a friendly, small-town approach. Our goal? To make your orthodontic journey comfortable, effective, and maybe even enjoyable (yes, you read that right!).
If you're ready to take the first step toward a healthier, happier smile—or if you simply have questions about braces, clear aligners, or any orthodontic services—our team is here for you. We treat every patient like family, guiding you through each step of your orthodontic treatment with warmth and genuine care.
Your perfect smile is waiting, and there's no better time than now to get started.
Learn more about our orthodontic services or schedule your consultation today—we can't wait to welcome you to the Logan Dental Care family!