Your child may already see a dentist regularly, so you may wonder: Why do they need to see an orthodontist too?

The answer is that dentists and orthodontists have different areas of expertise, and both play an important role in maintaining a healthy smile.

A general dentist focuses on the overall health of your teeth, gums, and mouth, including preventive care, cavities, cleanings, and identifying dental concerns. An orthodontist specializes in something different: how the teeth, jaws, bite, and facial structures develop and work together.

Straight Teeth Are Only Part of the Picture

Orthodontics is about more than creating a beautiful smile. An orthodontist evaluates how the upper and lower jaws relate to one another, how the teeth are developing, whether there is enough space for permanent teeth, and how the bite is functioning.

Crowding, crossbites, overbites, underbites, spacing, and jaw discrepancies can sometimes be easier to address when they are identified early.

Does My Child Need Braces Yet?

Not necessarily.

One of the benefits of an orthodontic evaluation is that treatment may not be needed right away. An orthodontist can evaluate your child’s growth and dental development and determine whether it is best to treat now, wait until a later stage of development, or simply monitor their progress.

Knowing when not to treat can be just as important as knowing when to treat.

Why See an Orthodontist?

Orthodontists complete additional specialized training after dental school focused specifically on tooth movement, bite correction, jaw development, and facial growth.

At Twin Teeth Orthodontics, we look beyond individual teeth to understand how the teeth, jaws, bite, and overall development fit together. Our goal is to identify potential concerns, provide appropriate recommendations, and make sure treatment is started at the right time.

Your dentist helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. Your orthodontist focuses on how your teeth and jaws align, develop, and function together. These specialties work hand in hand to support your overall oral health.

When Should My Child See an Orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. An early evaluation does not mean your child needs braces at that age. Instead, it provides an opportunity to assess development, identify potential concerns, and determine whether monitoring or treatment may be appropriate.

At Twin Teeth Orthodontics, our goal is to give families clarity, not unnecessary treatment. Whether your child is ready for orthodontic treatment or simply needs to be monitored as they grow, we can help you understand what comes next

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