Orthodontic Teamwork Makes the Smile Dream Work

Knowing that your dentist and orthodontist will work well together allows you to feel taken care of and assures you that your oral healthcare needs will be as smooth and effective as possible! Lincoln Orthodontics and Hurlbut Dental in Lincoln, Nebraska are examples of two offices that make it a priority to work together to make sure their patients get the best possible dental and orthodontic care.

Dentists and Orthodontists Make a Great Team

Every patient hopes that their oral care will be easy and give them great results. Having a dentist and orthodontist committed to great teamwork makes the patient experience just that. Dr. Allison Hurlbut of Hurlbut Dental and Dr. Emily Willett of Lincoln Orthodontics keep smiles confident and bright with communication. After all, communication is key.

In most cases, you will see a dentist long prior to any orthodontic treatment. From an early age, your dentist will evaluate the health of your teeth and gums while keeping an eye on shifts in the jaw or teeth. If they find anything concerning, it is common to refer patients to a nearby orthodontist for a consultation. In fact, it is recommended that even without a referral, patients should plan to visit an orthodontist between the ages of seven to nine to have their teeth and jaw evaluated. A dentist is a great place to go to get recommendations for a great orthodontist like Dr. Willett.

After your orthodontic consultation, your dentist and orthodontists will work together to make sure if any orthodontic treatment is needed that it will be what is best for you based on your dental history and any other concerns. Then they will each do what they are great at and create a new and corrected smile while keeping your teeth looking clean and healthy.

The Difference Between Dentists and Orthodontists

Dentists are doctors of oral health. Typically, dentists will get a pre-medical degree or a pre-dentistry degree before going on to a graduate school of dentistry. Certified dentists can diagnose and treat oral health conditions of your teeth, gums, tongue, and mouth. They’re also trained to clean your teeth, and their dental hygienists perform this service in the office. Dentists provide the following care:

• Conduct and interpret dental X-rays
• Fill cavities
• Extract teeth
• Repair cracked teeth
• Promote oral health and oral hygiene
• Fill and bond teeth
• Treat gum disease, such as gingivitis
• Prescribe treatment, including prescription drugs, for oral health conditions
• Whiten teeth
• Install crowns or veneers
• Oversee the development of children’s teeth
• Perform oral surgery

Orthodontists are doctors of oral health who have additional training and certification specifically with tooth and jaw alignment. Typical Orthodontists are trained to:

• Supervise facial growth (jawline and bite) in children
• Diagnose and treat misaligned teeth and jaws (malocclusion)
• Create a treatment plan that includes braces and retainers
• Perform teeth straightening surgery
• Install dental appliances, such as braces, palatal expanders, orthodontic headgear, or Herbst appliances

The Importance of Visiting the Dentist During Braces Treatment

Braces patients commonly experience some difficulty brushing and flossing during their treatment time. Brackets and wires from braces make it difficult to get rid of all the plaque and tartar build-up with a toothbrush or floss. If not removed from brushing or flossing, this build-up will harden, making it only possible for a professional dental cleaning to remove it. Keeping up with your bi-annual dentist appointments during braces treatment is especially important with braces. Your dentist will make sure you are up to date with x-rays and that your oral health and teeth are looking great!

Choose Drs. Willett and Hurlbut

If you are searching for a great dentist and orthodontist in Lincoln, Nebraska who are great at communication and collaboration, choose Dr. Willett at Lincoln Orthodontics at 6825 S 27th Street, Ste 202 Lincoln, NE 68512 (402) 489-8841 and Dr. Allison Hurlbut at Hurlbut Dental at 5611 NW 1st St Suite 108, Lincoln, NE 68521 (402) 438-5588. They’ll work together so you can get the best possible orthodontic and dental treatment and results.