Although many people believe dentists and orthodontists are interchangeable, there are significant differences between a general dentist and an orthodontist. It’s important to understand these differences in order to make an informed decision about your orthodontic care.
In general, a dentist looks at a patient’s overall oral health. Regular checkups help dentists identify and treat many oral hygiene problems, like cavities and gum disease. Dentists are also able to improve the function and appearance of a patient’s teeth through crowns, veneers, and other cosmetic treatments. Dentists are also trained to spot signs of oral disease and can give patient’s all the advice they 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, to correct orthodontic issues like crowding, spacing, and misalignments.
Orthodontists and dentists both start their careers by completing dental school, but their paths diverge after graduation. Following graduation, orthodontists like Dr. Wazio must complete two to three years of post-grad orthodontic residency and almost 5,000 hours of specialized orthodontic training to receive certification from the American Association of Orthodontists. During their years of education and residency, orthodontists refine their skills to become uniquely qualified to assess and treat your smile. Though dentists do provide excellent dental and oral health care, simply put…general dentists do not possess the same level of training and experience when it comes to straightening smiles.
That being said, there are some general dentists who are capable of providing orthodontic care to their patients. They do this by attending continuing education courses, seminars, and weekend workshops. Though informational, these workshops simply can’t cover orthodontic material in any real depth.
You have the right to choose the healthcare provider with whom you feel most comfortable. That said, when it comes to the look and feel of your smile, it makes sense to find an orthodontist who knows how to move your teeth safely and effectively from years of specialized education and training.
Before you go to your dentist for orthodontic treatment, you should consider the benefits of choosing an experienced, specialized orthodontist like Dr. Wazio. These benefits include, but are not limited to:
- A customized treatment plan based on your unique needs and desired results
- A wider variety of treatment options, like metal braces, clear braces, and Invisalign clear aligners
- More efficient treatment and office visits
- The best possible outcome for your smile, especially if your case is complex or severe
At Wazio Orthodontics, we provide the only best orthodontic care. Our team has a wealth of dental experience averaging over 17 years. We offer a wide range of orthodontic services from early interceptive treatment for young children to comprehensive treatment for adolescents and adults. We focus on providing advanced orthodontic technology to precisely diagnose and treat our patients and have committed ourselves to staying in a leadership position in all aspects of orthodontics…allowing us to better serve our patients and their family.
Our practice is proud to provide families throughout Batavia, St. Charles, and the surrounding areas with exceptional orthodontic care. As a highly trained and skilled orthodontist, Dr. Wazio has spent years creating beautiful smiles for patients of all ages. Once you understand what we have to offer, we think you will agree that you should trust your family’s smiles to an expert orthodontist!
Dr. Wazio is a Chicagoland native. He received both his Bachelor of Science degree and his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Loyola University of Chicago. After completing his General Practice residency at Michael Reese Hospital, Dr. Wazio attended St. Louis University where he received his Certificate of Orthodontics and Masters Degree. Dr. Wazio is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontics, Illinois Society of Orthodontics, Midwestern Society of Orthodontics, American Dental Association, and the Illinois State Dental Society. He is also past President of the Fox River Valley Dental Society.
If you would like to learn more about how Wazio Orthodontics can transform your smile, visit our website to schedule your initial consultation. Dr. Wazio will perform an extensive exam and will outline a personalized treatment plan that is specific to your individual needs and goals. Even if you decide not to start your orthodontic treatment right away, our team will be happy to answer any questions or address any concerns you have in order to help you make an informed decision.
Your family deserves a lifetime of healthy smiles, so contact Wazio Orthodontics today!