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    Should I See an Orthodontist or Dentist for Invisalign?

    Patients can often wonder should they see an orthodontist or regular dentist if they want to get Invisalign to discreetly straighten their smile. To answer this question, Dr. Ramtin (one of our orthodontic directors) wrote this blog to explain in more detail.


    To begin to answer this question, it is important to first distinguish between the two. A dentist is a doctor who deals with the general aspects of your teeth. An orthodontist is a doctor who after having become a dentist, has spent a further three years at university to specialise and become an expert on how to straighten teeth correctly using different types of braces. More importantly, they get educated on and are trained in how to do this in a both a safe and predictable manner. In fact the very title orthodontist is rooted in this as it comes from the Greek words orthos for ‘straight, correct’ and odon for ‘tooth’.

    should i see an orthodontist or dentist for invisalign dental on the banks

    During this intense three year period, they treat hundreds of cases with braces. Each procedure they work on is scrutinised and examined in fine detail by the best and brightest minds in this very specific field ensuring that they come out the other end as true experts at what they do. Let’s now look at Invisalign and where it enters the story . . .


    Put simply, Invisalign is a type of brace. Although a modern appliance, it is based on traditional thinking and methods. To be able to use Invisalign, general dentists and orthodontists take a two day, in person certification course which allows them to use the system (or more frequently nowadays due to the COVID-19 outbreak, this is completed virtually).

    should i see an orthodontist or dentist for invisalign dental on the banks

    Now for an orthodontist, this course is purely done to get access to the Invisalign system. But for many dentists, the two day course is their only experience with tooth movement and braces before they start using it on patients. The analogy is that when an orthodontist uses Invisalign, it’s similar to the idea of giving a carpenter a slightly different hammer and asking them to build the same table. They have all the experience and knowledge to be able to get the same exact result, even if the tool is slightly different to what they are used to.


    For a dentist however this is not the case – because often they do not have the detailed theoretical knowledge to be able to plan these cases and execute them to an equally high standard safely. Therefore they end up having to rely on technicians (not dentists) who work for Invisalign, to plan the majority of their cases (whereas orthodontists will plan their own cases). This creates a big difference in the quality of results that is achieved.



    So to answer the question ‘Should I See an Orthodontist or Dentist for Invisalign?’ consider the following:

    1. Choose an orthodontist if possible.

    2. Look at previous cases on their social media profiles, they should exhibit the following:

    should i see an orthodontist or dentist for invisalign dental on the banks

     

    a) You should see 70 – 80% of the lower front teeth (see image above) when the teeth are biting together. If the pictures do not show the teeth in contact, this is often because there has been a worsening of the bite.

    b) Upper and lower midlines should match (see image below).

    should i see an orthodontist or dentist for invisalign dental on the banks

    3. Ask to see ten to fifteen fixed braces before and after results as this shows the person has experience when it comes to orthodontic treatment prior to starting with Invisalign.

    4. Ask to see three examples of a patient’s teeth similar to yours and what results were achieved (being careful to evaluate the results against point 2 a and b).

    5. Ask to see ten cases carried out with Invisalign and assess the results against the criteria of point 2.

    6. Ensure the consultation is carried out by the actual person who is going to do your treatment.

    7. Ask the question: Is there someone more experienced than you, in the surrounding area, who can provide a better result?

    Dr. Ramtin Taheri (MDDr. Specialist Orthodontist, GDC 179105)

     


    Click / Tap here to book a FREE online Invisalign consultation with Dr. Ramtin or Dr. Damon (our orthodontists and Invisalign specialists) to find out how Invisalign at Dental on the Banks can help you! We are a Diamond provider of Invisalign, meaning that we have helped hundreds and hundreds of our patients to safely straighten their smile!

    Invisalign Platinum Elite Provider

    Did you know that when you choose Invisalign from a platinum elite provider, you will only have to visit our practice in Bournemouth (Canford Cliffs high street) a few times? This is because we send the clear Invisalign aligners to your home address so that you can change them each week in the comfort of your own home! As we use modern digital scanners and offer online consultations; we make this a minimum contact treatment to straighten your smile.


    You can start by booking in for a free online consultation with one of our orthodontic directors (Dr. Ramtin or Dr. Damon) and they can explain the process in more detail to you. Send us a DM on Instagram or click / tap here to arrange this. At this consultation you can also discuss payment plans if you would like to pay for your treatment in manageable monthly instalments. After your consultation then, you come to our practice to visit Dr. Ramtin or Dr. Damon in person.


    At this appointment, a full 3-D digital scan will be taken of your mouth and teeth. This is then sent to the Invisalign labs so that they can custom make the clear aligner trays that work to straighten your smile in as little as three months! You come back into the practice then when your first set of trays are ready, we help you fit the first one and then you leave with more of the trays to change every week from home – it can be as simple as that!


    We are always here for our patients even when they are not in our practice and can be reached by phone, e-mail and social media (DM us on Instagram for example). Our passion for perfection extends beyond the dentist chair and includes our aftercare – we work to make your smile perfect at every step of the way with Invisalign at Dental on the Banks.

    Are you looking for an Invisalign provider in Bournemouth?

    If you are looking for invisalign provider in the Bournemouth area, there is no better time than now to begin your Invisalign journey today. We at Dental on the Banks have made the entire experience extremely easy for each and every one of our patients. Discover your new smile with the power of Invisalign clear aligners with proven comfort and precision to achieve only the best results. Invisalign is becoming the leader in orthodontics for straightening teeth – giving you effective results each week through the power of custom-made, removable, clear and comfortable aligners. These aligners make it much easier for you to monitor your dental hygiene, where you can continue to floss and brush your teeth as normal (without the irritation and complications of maintaining traditional metal braces). This is the power to transform your smile without disturbing your lifestyle.


    By choosing to start your Invisalign in Bournemouth with Dental on the Banks, you will only need to attend our practice two to three times in total. We send your clear aligners directly to you, allowing you to change these each week at home in the comfort of your own home. As you replace your aligners at home, you will notice how your teeth will slightly move little by little – gradually working towards the final desired aesthetic at such ease. Over three million people worldwide have opted for Invisalign, embarking on their journey to a much more confident and happy smile. Not only can it bring you a beautiful smile by treating modern misalignments, but it can also be utilised on a case-by-case basis offering other benefits such as aligning over-bites, cross-bites and under-bites.


    The cost of your Invisalign treatment will depend on your specific needs; which our highly experienced orthodontic directors will talk you through at the commencement of your appointment (you can also book a free online consultation to begin). By making an investment like this that you won’t regret, you will begin to see your dream smile in as little as three months of using your aligners. Start your Invisalign journey today with Dental on the Banks, where we will guide you through every step of your treatment to help you achieve the perfect smile.