Question:
Upon much research I have decided to take the invisalign route for
getting my my teeth str8. Finally 27 years I can finally afford to do
this so I am both excited and nervous.
My inderstanding is that Invisalign can liscense dentists that have no
orthodontic experience.
1.) How do you "know" for sure that the person doing this work has
ortho experience. Does a Ortho graduate as a dentist?? is a D.D.S an
ortho??
2.) How does he/she gain ortho experience?? And how can he/she prove
this to me if necessary
The dentist I have says he has done cosmetic, endo, ortho, and
restrorative bridge and crown work. He is a member ADA, our local
Dental Society, member of the American Association of Function
Orthodontists and has participated in over 500 hours of continuing
education in orthodontics.
3.) Does this "sound" like a decent dentists?
Answer:
Invisalign might produce an effect as good as braces and then again the result
might not be as goood as braces. It will never be better than braces. In
deciding to have your teeth straightened and your smile improved, decide
whether you might be willing to wear braces or only Invisalign. Feel free to
discuss this with the treating doctor.
Warning: Be sure to discuss with the treating doctor his or her philosophy of
retention. Most adults need long term retention to preserve the finished
result. This can be done with fixed wires attached to the inside of your teeth
or it can be done with removable platics pieces that need to be worn long term
at night. Each has it advantages and is advantages but most people realize
that fixed retention is preferable to removable.
go to www.aaortho.org/membership and enter your address. the names that appear
will be Board Eligible orthodontists or those dentists who have "specialized in
orthodontics" after dental school by continuing their education for a minimum
of 4000 hours of formal training and then practicing exclusively as
orthodontists. For me that means 4000 hours of formal training, and 23 years
of practice at (2000hrs/yr times 23 years = 46000 hours of practice time)
Does a Ortho graduate as a dentist?? All orthodontists are dentists first.
In my office you can see my dental school diploma and my speciality diploma as
well as my Board Certification certificate (less than 20% of the orthodontists
in this country are Board Certified, a higher level achievement than merely
graduating from a formal education program)
I think the above numbers (4000+) speak for themselves. Anyone else is a "part
timer." They may be a very good part times -- I have some general dental
colleagues who practice orthodontics and they are quite good but do you feel
you have the expertise to search out the difference. Find a couple of members
of the American Association of Orthodontists and talk with each of them. Ask a
lot of questions, feel confident in their answers.
Let's see, this sounds like a very decent dentist but one who is part time in a
lot of things. Most dentists I know tend to focus after awhile in one area
kids, gum therapy, root canals, etc. even if they practice as a generalist.
They have an interest and pursue it. Someone who tries to do it all is
somewhat limited compared to a specialist.
An orthodontist IS a licensed dentist. A dentist IS NOT always an
orthodontist. However both can straighten teeth!
