Approximately four million Americans wear braces or some other orthodontic device. If you’re one of them, you might be wondering why your dentist refers you to an orthodontist for treatment. A general dentist, with training in orthodontics, can help. But that doesn’t mean they’re the best option.
You wouldn’t go to your primary care provider for surgery, would you? If you need advanced orthodontic care, you should see a specialist. Orthodontists complete extensive specialty training and can correct a broad range of dental alignment issues.
Karen Reese, DDS, MS, comes from a long-line of orthodontists who’ve been serving the communities west of Minneapolis for over 50 years at Reese Orthodontics. If you or a family member need orthodontic treatment, find out why you should choose us.
The role of a dentist
Dentists have years of training to provide general dental care. They offer treatments to address issues like tooth decay and gum disease, including:
- Fillings
- Tooth extraction
- Root canals
- Treatment for gum disease
- Crowns, bridges, and veneers
- Preventive services such as routine checkups and professional cleaning
Dentists receive some training in specialty areas like cosmetic dentistry, endodontics, and orthodontics to offer treatments like teeth whitening, veneers, root canals, and basic orthodontic care. However, the standard training for dentists isn’t sufficient to provide advanced orthodontic treatment.
Becoming an orthodontist
Like surgeons who must earn medical degrees before undertaking additional specialist training, an orthodontist becomes a dentist before training as an orthodontist.
After completing dental school, an orthodontist undergoes an additional two or more years of education and training. They focus on correcting tooth alignment and fitting braces and other oral appliances designed to restore faulty smiles.
Dr. Reese and the team at Reese Orthodontics have extensive training and years of experience in their field and correct various dental problems such as:
- Misaligned teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
- Jaw Pain
Our team can close gaps and correct jaw problems such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
What an orthodontist does
Dr. Reese and her team stay up-to-date on emerging dental and orthodontic trends and advancements. They offer comprehensive orthodontic care, including:
- Clear Aligners
- Children’s orthodontics
- Accelerated orthodontics
- Adult orthodontics
- Surgical orthodontics
- TMJ treatment
Advances in orthodontic treatment have made treatments — from conventional braces to Clear Aligners and surgery — safer, quicker, and less painful. One of the benefits of seeing an orthodontist like Dr. Reese is that she is completely up-to-date with the most innovative techniques and treatments.
When you or a loved one needs to enhance your smile or correct a troublesome alignment issue, choose an experienced, talented orthodontist like Dr. Reese. Call our offices in New Hope and Chanhassen or schedule a consultation online today to learn how we can help you.