Trust an Orthodontist with Your Family’s Smiles 

You probably already know how important regular dental visits are for your family, but did you know that orthodontists play an essential role in ensuring that your family’s teeth and jaws develop properly? While there are many similarities between these two dental professions, there are also some significant differences. It helps to know a bit more about each in order to fully understand why you should trust an orthodontist with your family’s smiles.

The team at Cowan & Whitaker Orthodontics believes that educated patients make the best partners as we work towards a more confident smile. Keep reading to learn why treatment with an experienced orthodontist is the best choice for your family!

What are the main differences between a dentist and an orthodontist?

Orthodontists and dentists both start their careers in dental school, but their paths will diverge after they graduate. To become a dentist, a person must complete four years of undergraduate education and four years of dental school before passing a rigorous written exam and clinical licensing exam. 

Orthodontics is a dental specialty that requires additional training. These courses go beyond basic dental instruction and have a specific focus on diagnosing and correcting orthodontic issues. This additional education includes a two- or three-year residency and almost 5,000 hours of specialized orthodontic training!

In general, dentists look at a patient’s overall oral health. Regular checkups help them identify and treat many oral hygiene problems, like cavities and gum disease. They’re also able to improve the function and appearance of a patient’s teeth through crowns, veneers, and other cosmetic treatments. Dentists are trained to spot signs of oral disease and can give you all the advice you need on how to maintain your oral health. 

Orthodontists, on the other hand, provide more specialized care. They are trained in various methods to align the jaws and move the teeth, so they are able to correct orthodontic issues like crowded teeth, overbites, and misalignments, to name just a few. They do this with orthodontic appliances like traditional braces, clear aligners, and expanders. 

Here at Cowan & Whitaker Orthodontics, Dr. Glen Cowan and Dr. Julie Whitaker create customized treatment plans for each and every patient based on their specific needs, lifestyle, and goals. This personalized care guarantees the best results for your smile!

When should you see an orthodontist?

In some cases, there is an overlap in the services dentists and orthodontists offer. All dentists receive some basic orthodontic training at school, and some dentists even offer clear alignment treatment.   

What does that mean for you and your family? If someone develops a toothache or cavity, your dentist should always be the first stop. But if you’re dealing with a misalignment between the teeth and jaw, crooked teeth, or other issues with oral development, a consultation with a certified orthodontic specialist is your best bet.

Take a moment to consider what an experienced orthodontist can offer you, including:

• a wider variety of treatment options
• a customized treatment plan built around your unique smile
• more efficient treatments and visits, since orthodontics is the main focus
• the best possible outcome for your smile, especially if you have a severe or complex case

Our practice has only one focus—providing world-class orthodontic care to patients of all ages throughout Tuscaloosa. Our team puts a great deal of time, energy, and dedication into perfecting our techniques and service! Dr. Cowan and Dr. Whitaker perform teeth-straightening procedures daily, and our office takes advantage of the most cutting-edge techniques and technology. This means our patients can achieve superior results in the shortest amount of time possible. 

Choose Cowan & Whitaker Orthodontics for your smile needs

Cowan & Whitaker Orthodontics is committed to providing every patient with a stress-free and positive orthodontic experience. Orthodontics is our specialty, so we have the experience and expertise necessary to give you a wide range of affordable treatment options, unmatched service, and a confident smile you’ll want to share with everyone around you! 

If you’d like to learn more about what orthodontics has to offer for you and your family, we would love to meet you! When you schedule your free consultation with us, you’ll receive a thorough examination by Dr. Cowan and Dr. Whitaker. Following this exam, we’ll walk you through any issues detected and outline a personalized treatment plan for you. 

This is a no-pressure appointment, and our team will still be happy to answer any questions or address any concerns you might have to help you make an informed decision! You and your family deserve a lifetime of healthy smiles, so get in touch today to schedule your complimentary consultation.