Orthodontists and dentists work closely together to ensure your teeth are in the best possible health throughout the course of your life. And in some cases, that may mean your dentist recommends you or your child see an orthodontist.
Although you do not require a referral to see an orthodontist, here are just a couple of reasons a dentist may make that recommendation.
The right time
A dentist may recommend your child sees an orthodontist at about the age of seven. This is renowned as an important time in the development of the teeth and jaw. At this stage, a number of adult teeth have already emerged, and others are on the cusp of erupting.
This gives an orthodontist the opportunity to gauge what’s going on with teeth positioning and the formation of the bite.
In some instances, an orthodontist may find early intervention would be of benefit. They may suggest initial treatment such as expanding the palate to allow more room for adult teeth. Early intervention can result in less invasive orthodontic treatments in the future and reduce the likelihood of teeth being removed.
Your dentist may also recommend your child sees an orthodontist when they reach their early teens. The teen years are regarded as a prime time for orthodontic treatment as all teeth are in position but the bones are still growing and malleable enough to manoeuvre.
Crowding
If you or your child has teeth that are crowded, a dentist will likely suggest consulting an orthodontist. Crowded teeth are potentially harder to clean, and this can result in future problems like plaque and decay.
The reason crowded teeth can be trickier to look after is that they may overlap or be positioned very close to each other. This results in nooks and crannies that are harder to access and can make flossing a challenge. As about half the surface of your teeth is between them, accessing this space and flossing is really important throughout life.
Meanwhile, you might also wish to have your teeth straightened for purely aesthetic reasons to enjoy a winning smile that offers increased self-confidence.
Bite issues
A dentist can only do so much to prevent damage to your teeth if they are positioned incorrectly and wear against each other as you talk and eat.
So, if a dentist identifies potential or actual issues with your bite alignment and teeth angle, they may recommend you see an orthodontist.
Teeth that meet at the wrong angle or apply more pressure to each other in some parts of the mouth than others have the potential to incur real damage over a lifetime.
This damage can include cracking, chipping and wearing, but also makes them more prone to decay and in some cases, tooth loss.
If you are missing a tooth or teeth
If you have lost an adult tooth, or your child has prematurely lost a baby tooth, an orthodontist may be among the dental professionals you are recommended to see.
In this instance an orthodontist will assess whether spacers should be used to “hold” the position of the missing tooth. Spacers maintain the required room in the mouth as you wait for a prosthetic tooth to be fitted or for your child’s adult tooth to erupt.
Maintaining space for a tooth can be important, as the moment there is a gap available, other teeth are more than willing to fill this position. This might then result in future crowding or the bite shifting out of alignment.
If your teeth are shifting
Just like all areas of the body, the jaw, mouth and teeth change over time. Sometimes teeth shift due to a life event, like pregnancy or trauma to the jaw, but sometimes it’s just a side effect of aging.
If your teeth are moving out of their desired position, your dentist may recommend consulting an orthodontist. In many cases, early treatment for shifting teeth can be as simple as fitting a retainer.
Other medical professionals who may recommend an orthodontist
A dentist isn’t the only medical professional who may recommend you see an orthodontist. This is because the position of the teeth plays an important role in other areas of wellbeing such as speech, sleep and breathing.
A speech therapist may recommend your child sees an orthodontist if the position of the teeth interferes with the way they formulate sounds.
A general practitioner or sleep specialist may recommend consulting an orthodontist if you have sleep apnoea. Orthodontic appliances such as SomnoDent are a recognised and popular way of treating sleep apnoea without the use of intrusive CPAP machines.
Meanwhile, if you or your child experiences breathing issues related to the formation of the jaw, an orthodontist might also be recommended as someone who can assist.
No referral required
While these are all good reasons why another medical professional may recommend you see an orthodontist, no referral is actually required.
Should you desire straighter teeth or feel you are experiencing any of the issues above, you can contact an orthodontist and schedule your own assessment.
It’s also important to remember, regardless of whether a dentist, doctor or speech therapist prompts you, an orthodontist is among the medical professionals you should consult over the course of life.
Regular contact with an orthodontist ensures your teeth and bite are in the best possible position and condition to handle the rigours of a lifetime spent speaking, chewing, and biting.
Meanwhile, straight teeth and an aligned bite facilitate a lifetime of better dental health and that also goes a long way to improving your general health and wellbeing.
About Norwest Orthodontics
Norwest Orthodontics specialises in helping you achieve a great smile, no matter your age. We feature a range of orthodontic treatments that span from early intervention right through to remedial adult work.
We also have a suite of treatments available that include discreet, removeable Invisalign braces, and welcome the opportunity to work with you to achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of.
You can learn more about our services, or contact us here to make an appointment here.
