All orthodontists are dentists, but only six percent of dentists
are licensed orthodontists, according to the American Dental Association.
Although some dentists may occasionally place braces, only an orthodontist
is a formally trained and licensed specialist in the diagnosis,
prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Similar
to the distinction between a family doctor and an OB/GYN, once one
earns the additional university degree and achieves specialty status;
an orthodontist focuses their attention exclusively on the specialty
of orthodontics and no longer provides general dental services such
as cleanings, fillings, and crowns.
Dr. Hendrix is not only a dentist, but also a certified and university
trained orthodontist. This required the completion of a three-year
postdoctoral program in addition to the four years required for
Dr. Hendrix to become a general dentist. This all occurred after
completion of a four year undergraduate degree for a total of eleven
years of formal education. Through this extensive training, Dr.
Hendrix has mastered the skills required to manage tooth movement
and guide facial development. Because he is a certified, licensed
specialist, Dr. Hendrix no longer practices general dentistry and
has focused his practice exclusively on orthodontics for children
and adults. You can expect excellence at Hendrix Orthodontics.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends all
children get a check-up with an orthodontic specialist no later
than age 7.
HERE’S WHY:
- Orthodontists can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging
teeth while some baby teeth are still present.
- While your child’s teeth may appear to be straight, there
could be a problem that only an orthodontist can detect.
- A check-up may reveal that your child’s bite is fine.
Or, the orthodontist may identify a developing problem but recommend
monitoring the child’s growth and development, and then,
if indicated, begin treatment at the appropriate time for the
child. In other cases, the orthodontist might find a problem that
can benefit from early treatment.
- Early treatment may prevent or intercept more serious problems
from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter
and less complicated. In some cases, the orthodontist will be
able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face
and jaws have finished growing.
- Early treatment may give your orthodontist the chance to:
- Guide jaw growth
- Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
- Correct harmful oral habits
- Improve appearance
- Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
- Create a more pleasing arrangement of teeth, lips and face
- Through an early orthodontic evaluation, you’ll be giving
your child the best opportunity for a healthy, beautiful smile.
If your child is older than 7, it’s certainly not too late
for a check-up.
Because patients differ in both physiological development and treatment
needs, the orthodontist’s goal is to provide each patient
with the most appropriate treatment at the most appropriate time.
Malocclusions (“bad bites”) like those illustrated
below, may benefit from early diagnosis and referral to an orthodontic
specialist for a full evaluation.
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CROSSBITE OF FRONT TEETH
Top teeth are behind bottom teeth |
CROSSBITE OF BACK TEETH
Top teeth are to the inside of bottom teeth |
CROWDING |
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 |
 |
OPEN BITE
Front teeth do not meet when back teeth are closed |
PROTRUSION |
DEEP BITE |
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UNDERBITE
The lower teeth sit in front of upper teeth when back teeth
are closed |
SPACING |
ORAL HABITS
Sucking on thumb, fingers |
In addition, if you notice any of the following in your child,
check with your orthodontist:
- early or late loss of baby teeth
- difficulty in chewing or biting
- mouth breathing
- jaws that shift or make sounds
- speech difficulties
- biting the cheek or the roof of the mouth
- facial imbalance
- grinding or clenching of the teeth
Final treatment decisions should be made among the parent, child’s
dentist and orthodontist. |
