Sure, straight teeth give you something to really smile about, but they also set the stage for great dental health. If you or your child could benefit from straighter teeth, you have everything to gain by going to someone who specializes in the art and science of moving teeth.
At Reese Orthodontics, as our name implies, we specialize in orthodontics, which is a field of dentistry that focuses on your all-important bite. Here’s a look at why you should seek the aid of an orthodontist versus a dentist when it comes time to straighten your child’s or your teeth.
Education counts
The first thing to understand about the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist is that an orthodontist has undergone specialized training for two or more years after dental school. At our practice, Dr. Karen Reese not only obtained a Master of Science in Dentistry and her Doctorate of Dental Surgery, but she also went on to become certified as an orthodontic specialist.
What this means is that Dr. Reese has extensive training in remedying problem bites through orthodontics, and she understands the science of alignment.
Continuing education
The field of orthodontics is ever-evolving, which is why you should have someone who understands the latest techniques in your corner. Here again, our own Dr. Reese is a great example. In addition to her formal training as an orthodontist, she has continued her education to stay current with the latest technologies, including:
- Clear aligners, including Invisalign®
- Advanced interceptive appliances
- Preventive orthodontics
- Permanent retainers
With her base knowledge about the science of aligning teeth, combined with these newer approaches, Dr. Reese ensures that every one of her patients has access to the latest techniques for properly aligning teeth.
Experience matters
While education makes for a great starting point, you also want to choose a specialist who has extensive experience beyond the classroom. Dr. Reese has this, having spent more than 20 years in practice. This type of experience is invaluable as she has handled the most common, and uncommon, problems using a wide variety of orthodontic techniques.
Orthodontics in theory and in practice can be two different things, which is why choosing someone with experience matters.
Beyond straightening
It’s also important to note that orthodontics goes well beyond giving you a smile full of straight teeth. The alignment of your bite is far more than a cosmetic concern and can impact your overall dental health, as well as your general health.
For example, moderate-to-severe alignment problems can lead to headaches or facial pain and also interfere with chewing and speaking. In these cases, an orthodontist understands how a misaligned bite can lead to bigger problems and how to remedy all of the issues through orthodontics.
At our practice, Dr. Reese addresses alignment issues of almost every kind and even offers accelerated orthodontics and surgical orthodontics.
Your teeth are important, so trust the experience and expertise of an orthodontist when it comes to moving them. To learn more about your options at Reese Orthodontics, please contact one of our two offices in New Hope or Chanhassen, Minnesota.