As a parent, it’s natural to want the best for your child – that includes healthy teeth and a confident smile! It’s important to know the role oral health plays in your child’s overall health. While many people might turn to their family dentist for orthodontic advice, there are many benefits when you trust an experienced orthodontist with your family’s smiles!
At Sawgrass Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer high-quality orthodontic care to patients of all ages in Sunrise and the surrounding communities. Dr. Kristen and Dr. Penny are passionate about creating healthy and beautiful smiles in our community and cherish the opportunity to care for your family. To learn more about why you should trust an orthodontist with your family’s smile, keep reading below!
Education, Training, and Experience
While dentists and orthodontists both get their start in dental school, their paths diverge after graduation. Dentists generally go on to practice general dentistry immediately, while 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 some basic level of orthodontic assessment and care to their patients. These dentists will often sharpen their skills with continuing education seminars and workshops.
The downside to this 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, it makes sense that you might want to consult them for your orthodontic treatment. After all, you most likely already have an established relationship with them and their team, and it’s natural to choose the familiar over the unknown. However, you should consider the benefits of working with the experienced orthodontists at Sawgrass 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 Sawgrass Orthodontics, our only focus is orthodontic care and treatment. Dr. Kristen and Dr. Penny perform teeth straightening procedures day in and day out and are always working to stay on top of their game. Our entire team also stays up to date on the latest industry practices by regularly attending continuing education courses. Our Sunrise office is equipped with the latest orthodontic equipment, allowing us to provide patients with high-quality care and stunning results.
Treatment options at Sawgrass Orthodontics 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 are the most widely used orthodontic appliance, and have improved dramatically from the bulky metal appliances of the past! 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 Results
As the patient, it’s your 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 two of the best! Our doctors have years of experience creating healthy, beautifully aligned smiles in our community.
Receiving orthodontic care from an experienced orthodontist can also help you avoid any potential 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 Sawgrass Orthodontics
When you trust an experienced orthodontist with your family’s smiles, 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!
If you’re ready to take the first step towards a healthier smile, we would love to meet you! When you schedule your initial consultation at our Sunrise office, you’ll receive a thorough evaluation from Dr. Kristen or Dr. Penny and a treatment plan customized to meet your unique needs and goals.
This is a no-pressure visit! Even if you decide to delay the start of your orthodontic treatment, we’ll 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!
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