Straight to the point

Surely any dentist could straighten our teeth… right?  Many can, but your dentist may not be necessarily the best person to do so. The alarming results of a recent survey found that only 64 per cent of people could correctly identify that an orthodontist specialises in straightening teeth.

The survey was conducted on behalf of an organisation called The Invisible Orthodontist (www.theinvisibleorthodontist.co.uk), a network of specialist orthodontists throughout the UK, and highlights that as a nation we are surprisingly ignorant about specialists within the dental profession. 

Approximately half of those surveyed (48 per cent) were unaware that a specialist orthodontist had completed up to three vital years of extra training after qualifying as a dentist (with 56 per cent of men even more unaware than women).

So why are we confused?
The confusion may have arisen because many dentists claim to have a ‘special interest’ in orthodontics; they may have completed courses on particular teeth straightening systems which means that they are able to offer orthodontic treatment to their patients.  But a dentist with ‘special interest’ in orthodontics is very different from a registered specialist orthodontist!

In general, the core work of a general dentist is to examine patients’ oral health and undertake restorations of decayed or broken teeth, as well as to clean teeth and instruct on oral hygiene.  So for patients who are considering orthodontic treatment, why not go to an expert who has a dental degree plus three additional years of full time, post-graduate, university orthodontic training?   An expert who only straightens teeth - day in day out?  A general dentist may have a special interest in orthodontics, but they probably do fillings, teeth cleaning, implants, crowns, root fillings, extractions, plus almost everything else.

The research also shows that people have a problem differentiating between the range of dental specialists with additional extensive training, like prosthodontists who specialise in crowns, bridges, veneers and implants, periodontists who look after gum tissue health, endodontists who are experts in root fillings, and oral surgeons who extract teeth and do jaw surgery. And of course orthodontists who straighten teeth, correct bite problems and create beautiful smiles.

Even more special
Orthodontic treatments continue to evolve. Gone are the days when the only way to correct wonky teeth was with wires and brackets fixed to the front of the teeth. This treatment modality is still successful, and widely used, but there are a plethora of more contemporary teeth straightening systems now available, many are virtually invisible, and extremely appealing to those turning to orthodontics beyond their teenage years.

The Invisible Orthodontist was established as a network of specialist orthodontists who work together to advance the use of invisible orthodontic techniques as Catherine Duncan, Marketing Consultant of the group explains:

“We commissioned this recent survey, to try to gain a deeper understanding of what people in the UK know about specialist orthodontics.  We were not surprised to learn that there is a level of confusion around what a specialist orthodontist does. The Invisible Orthodontist is dedicated to widening awareness of the skills a specialist orthodontist has to offer their patients; ensuring people can straighten their teeth – using virtually invisible techniques – and be confident that they are in the most experienced and knowledgeable hands.”

As the name suggests The Invisible Orthodontist group focuses on treating patients using discrete techniques – predominantly with the virtually invisible Invisalign, which has made it possible to correct teeth without almost anyone knowing.  The TIO network ensures that all members continue to broaden their specialist training, skills and experiences, by collaborating and sharing ways to treat the most complex cases with beautiful results.

Special National Smile Month offers
To highlight the results of the specialist orthodontic research some members of The Invisible Orthodontist group are running special promotions during National Smile Month (which runs between May 18 and June 18).  For example a TIO practice in East London is offering a free photoshoot at the end of their Invisalign treatment. Whilst another in Chelmsford in Essex is offering everyone who starts their Invisalign treatment within National Smile Month the chance to win their treatment for free.