Family Dentistry and Orthodontics All in One Place

Orthodontic treatment not only creates a beautiful smile—it also ensures proper development and prevents a wide range of oral health issues. However, finding a reliable orthodontist and making additional trips to another office for treatment can be challenging and inconvenient.

Instead of finding a specialist elsewhere, consider these five reasons why choosing a dental practice with an in-house orthodontist can offer a much better patient experience.

1. You’re likely to seek orthodontic treatment at some stage.

The first thing to keep in mind when you’re considering a dental practice that offers orthodontics is that you and your family are very likely to require treatment at some point.

Younger children may need treatments such as palatal expanders to correct a narrow palate or space maintainers to ensure proper development. Traditional braces are also incredibly common, with around four million Americans wearing braces at any given time.

Orthodontic treatment is also becoming more common in adults. While many people have associated orthodontics, such as braces, with childhood and adolescence in the past, today, one in three orthodontic patients is 18 or older.

When the time comes for one or more of your family members to receive orthodontic treatment, having a more convenient way to receive that treatment can make the process both easier and more enjoyable. 

2. In-House Treatment Is More Convenient

If you visit a dental practice that doesn’t provide in-office orthodontics, you’ll need to be referred to an outside specialist when you or your family require treatment. This process can be inconvenient for everyone involved.

First, you’ll have to go through the patient onboarding process with a new office. While many practices streamline onboarding, it’s still a hassle that you wouldn’t have to go through if your established dental practice provided orthodontics.

You’ll also find yourself commuting to that new office, perhaps frequently, depending on the type of orthodontic treatment you need. You might not be able to find a specialist directly in your area, so this commute can become a major annoyance. Finding a dental practice that offers orthodontics in-house can help avoid that problem in the future.

3. A trained orthodontist provides you with more treatment options.

One important note to keep in mind when choosing a dental practice that offers orthodontics is the difference between an orthodontist, and a general dentist who provides some orthodontic treatments.

General and pediatric dentists can take continuing education courses to add treatments, such as Invisalign, to their practice. However, this isn’t the same thing as being an orthodontist. An orthodontist has undergone specific training and residency requirements, along with acquiring certification.

A dental practice with an in-house orthodontist can provide a broader range of orthodontic treatment options. This means that you can receive in-house treatment even for complex cases that require a higher level of orthodontic expertise.

Many dentists only offer Invisalign or other clear aligner treatments. These are highly effective in cases where they’re appropriate, but they don’t encompass every orthodontic issue. An in-house orthodontist can provide early orthodontic treatment for children and a wider range of appliances to handle complex cases.

4. Children are more comfortable visiting a practice they know.

One of the most significant benefits of choosing a dentist with in-house orthodontics is that it is much easier on your children. Visiting the dentist or orthodontist can be very intimidating for children, and dental anxiety is a serious concern.

If your child has to be referred to a specialist for treatment, they’ll be undergoing an already difficult process in an unfamiliar environment. This can leave your child much more anxious about their treatment.

Choosing a dental practice with in-house orthodontics provides a more comfortable experience. Your child will already be familiar with the office and the people there from their routine dental care. While they might still be anxious about the idea of a new treatment, they’ll be somewhere that they can feel safe and relaxed.

5. A practice that offers comprehensive care Is committed to their patients.

Finding the right dental practice for you and your family is an important decision. You need to know the team is committed to providing the best for their patients in terms of treatment options and personalized care.

A dental practice that has invested the resources necessary to provide comprehensive orthodontics options demonstrates just that. A dental clinic with an orthodontist on board has gone above and beyond in terms of treatment options, and you can expect that same commitment in other areas as well.

When you choose a dental practice that offers in-house orthodontics, you’re choosing a practice that can support all of your and your family’s needs for years to come.

Dr. Berndt Your Wilson, NC, Orthodontist at Dixon, Boles & Associates

Dixon, Boles & Associates is your family’s home for dentistry and orthodontics of all kinds. You’ll find the full range of orthodontic treatment options for both children and adults provided by Dr. Berndt, a specialized orthodontist. Schedule an appointment today to find out what Dixon, Boles & Associates can do for your family.