The differences are quite small these days, but an orthodontist is more specialised than a dentist, focusing on the alignment of teeth and, as such, they are often works on cases involving braces. Dentists can also work on braces and other areas that orthodontics is concerned with, but an orthodontist has had further study and training.

What is a specialised orthodontist?

A vast majority of dentists are now qualified to perform teeth straightening treatment. The difference between this and a specialist orthodontist is an extra three years of training and study. In essence, specialised orthodontics is a similar vein to other expert areas, such as an endodontic or paediatric treatment.

A specialised orthodontist does what you would expect, specialising in the positioning and aesthetics of your teeth and smile. Dr Patel, resident specialist orthodontist at Umbrella, is registered to provide a range of cosmetic teeth straightening appliances to improve the aesthetics of your smile, including the likes of:

Invisalign – Invisalign braces have taken the orthodontic world by storm and are quickly becoming the number one alternative to fixed braces. They are nearly invisible and are ideal for small cosmetic changes to the alignment of the patient’s teeth. They are used in two week lengths for every stage and are available specifically for teens as well as the standard option.

Damon Braces – Damon braces can be used for more significant changes. They are very discreet, using thin wires and brackets and produce results much sooner than traditional braces. They are also designed to be less painful than orthodox braces which can be an issue for some patients. Damon braces are also much more hygienic, with less large parts making it more difficult for plaque to accumulate.

These are just two treatments that are available from Umbrella where a highly skilled and trained team perform world class orthodontic and cosmetic dentistry.

Nowadays these obvious and demoralising rigs are rarely seen, and there are even some orthodontic systems available, such as Invisalign, that are subtle enough to go unnoticed by all but the keenest eyed observer. Realignment of teeth or bite will almost always have to be done by brute force alone, but the existence of such unobtrusive options as Invisalign compared to what was available 40 years ago is testament to how far this field of medicine has come.

People have been trying pseudo-medical methods to straighten teeth probably for as long as they have been combing their hair, but the modern field of orthodontics didn’t really come in to being until towards the end of the 19th Century, with the first school of orthodontics being founded by Englishman Edward H Angle in 1901. In fact the classification system laid out in Angle’s “Treatment of Malocclusion of the Teeth” was used worldwide and still forms the basis of the field today.

Modern orthodontists have a much better understanding of hygiene and infection control than they did in Angle’s day, but it his testament to his intellect and methodology that so much of his original teachings remain.

   
Before                                             After

But there are still six months till summer, no matter how quickly they may pass by: the weather is still too cold to go on a diet or go for a run in the park and actually enjoy it, and as for those skin products, anything that even remotely implies a tan in January will draw ridicule, and deservedly so.

But where can you start? Well, there’s always cosmetic dentistry. A stunning, bronzed beach body might impress from afar, but the effect can be offset—nay, completely undone!—by a shabby smile. And, as your face is the only part of you on display at this cold time of year, a knock of confidence in that direction can ruin your enthusiasm to get down to your preparations for summer health. Ask your orthodontist about any cosmetic dentistry options applicable to yourself, from teeth whitening to the correction of crooked teeth, and try building up the summer image immediately. Remember, a beautiful smile doesn’t have to wait until summer to be shown off…

Part of the reason for this is the perceived cost of serious orthodontic work, as although a sick man will put no price on regaining his health, an otherwise healthy person with a busy lifestyle and multiple financial commitments will find it hard to justify the outlay on fixing a problem they consider to have not happened yet. The good news is that the vast majority of cosmetic dentists offer some kind of payment plans for large treatments, often at 0% interest. This of course takes a large lump sum that many people may struggle to find in one go and turns it in to little more than another phone bill each month – well worth your future dental health.

Another turn-off for a lot of people is the effect they fear having a mouth full of wires will have on their personal relationships, both at work and in their social lives. What they don’t realise is just how far cosmetic dentistry has come in recent years, and how inconspicuous modern orthodontic treatments can be. One such treatment is known as Invisalign, which involves the wearing of clear aligners that you remove for eating and teeth cleaning. Invisalign aligners are different to the “train-track” braces of old, not only because they can barely be seen when worn, but also because they require no permanent fixings within the mouth, making them significantly more comfortable to wear. We will cover these kinds of braces in more detail in another blog, but if you have been put off orthodontics in the past then it would be well worth your time to revisit the subject with an orthodontist and see what new treatments may be available to you.