Many adults and children will need orthodontic treatment at some point in their lives. However, the busier our lives get – the less we are willing to add another thing to our plates. Like visits to the orthodontist. Therefore, having an orthodontist that is near you is helpful.
If you are searching for an orthodontist in the Summerville area, then you have found the right page! Finding an orthodontist near you is an important part of getting orthodontic treatment. Especially in this busy world!
What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a specialist in straightening teeth, correcting bites, and treating occlusions in the mouth. Orthodontists go through the same schooling as a dentist plus special orthodontics education. Orthodontics is a competitive field that includes lots of training, so you can feel safe with orthodontists that are certified like Dr. Reagin here at Reagin Orthodontics!
Dr. Reagin graduated at the top of his dental school class at the Medical University of South Carolina. After dental school, he attended the University of Alabama where he got his Orthodontics certificate and master’s degree.
As one of the most well-known orthodontists in the Summerville area, Dr. Reagin is dedicated and educated in his practice. He continues to learn and grow in the field of orthodontia.Showing his knowledge and expertise in his everyday practice, as well as through multiple publications and academic journals that he has contributed to.
What is the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist?
If you think you may need to see an orthodontist, it can help to understand the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist. Moreover, why a specialist like an orthodontist may be necessary.
Dentistry is a general practice while orthodontics is a specialty. Training-wise, dentists complete a four-year undergraduate program followed by four years in dental school. Here is a look at what a dentist does:
- Routine dental care
- Filling cavities
- Performing root canals
- Extracting teeth
- Cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening
Orthodontists must complete general dentistry training before diving into their specialty. After eight years of initial schooling, orthodontists complete additional training for 2-3 years. Here are treatments that orthodontists do that dentists don’t:
- Braces
- Aligners
- Treating overbites and underbites
- Widening the jaw
This general overview of the differences between dentists and orthodontists can help you see why it is essential to see an orthodontist for treatment beyond basic oral health.
What does an orthodontist do?
While we have shared a quick overview of some treatments provided by orthodontists, there are a lot of terms that you may be familiar with. Therefore, let’s take a closer look at some specific things orthodontists do to help straighten teeth, correct bites, and fix occlusions.
Orthodontists straighten teeth through two methods: braces and clear aligners. Braces are the traditional method that most people are familiar with. While a newer method, many people are also familiar with clear aligners. Most likely, Invisalign. Invisalign has gained popularity in recent years due to its low-profile look and has become a favorite for both adults and teens.
While most people are familiar with the role of an orthodontist in straightening teeth, you may not be as familiar with how they help correct bites. Orthodontists use bite splint therapy to stabilize the jaw to correct overbites, underbites, open bites, and crossbites. The process of correcting bites is a little more complicated than straightening teeth. Therefore, it is important to find an orthodontist near you that can help explain this process to you.
Finally, let’s talk about occlusions. Occlusions refer to how your upper and lower teeth make contact with each other. If your teeth don’t sit on top of each other, an orthodontist may encourage you to get braces or a splint to decrease pain from occlusions. This is another possible reason you may need to see an orthodontist near you.
Why Do I need to see an orthodontist?
As an adult, seeing an orthodontist in order to get an evaluation is recommended if you experience any pain in your jaw or teeth. It is also recommended if you clench your jaw, grind your teeth, have protruding teeth, or have difficulty biting or chewing.
You can even see an orthodontist if you simply don’t like your smile! We love when adults come in to see us and get a consultation for braces or aligners!
In addition to orthodontic treatment for adults, children also need orthodontic treatment. For children, The American Association of Orthodontics suggests that children should see an orthodontist by the age of 7. This is recommended because at this age children have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth, and that affects the development of their teeth and jaws. Children younger than the age of 7 are highly suggested to see an orthodontist as soon as possible if they have any breathing issues or jaw pain.
Whether looking at treatment for yourself or your child, having an orthodontist near you will make taking care of your oral health much easier! If you or your child experience any of the above, we recommend finding an orthodontist nearby. Those looking for an orthodontist in the Summerville area, we invite you to contact us for a free consultation!
What should I look for when finding an orthodontist?
Finding an orthodontist is important to ensure the quality of your teeth and jaw health, but how do you know what to look for?
You can ask for recommendations from family and friends. What better way to find a trustworthy practitioner than through someone you trust? Don’t stop there though! Be sure to do your own research by looking at the orthodontist’s website and social media.
Here is a list of what to look for when researching an orthodontist on the internet:
- What do the reviews say? See what other people in the area think about the orthodontist. You can even Google “reviews orthodontists near me” to see a comparison of orthodontists in the area.
- How often do they post? If they post on their website and social media frequently, there’s a good chance that they keep up with new technology. If your orthodontist keeps up with new technology in these areas, that means they probably also keep up with technology in their practice. Therefore, you can be confident that they are practicing the safest and most efficient methods to support your oral health.
- How recent are their posts? Recent posts on social media and on their website (such as a blog) indicate that they are up to date on the most accurate and relevant information in orthodontic care. Moreover, having accurate and relevant posts indicate that the orthodontist is committed to giving correct information and keeping their patients informed. This is another indication that the orthodontist is reliable and trustworthy.
Another option is to ask your dentist for recommendations for orthodontists. They have a wide variety of patients, so they will have a good idea of the suitable orthodontic offices near you.
We also recommended having a thorough consultation with an orthodontist before committing to them. If the orthodontist gives you a complimentary exam to determine your dental needs, that is a good sign.
The following are questions you can ask at your consultation:
- What treatments are available to me?
- How often are appointments?
- How long are appointments?
- How many appointments will I need?
- Who can I contact outside of office hours if an issue arises?
In addition, feel free to ask any other questions you may have!
If you live in the Summerville area, we would love to invite you to Reagin Orthodontics for a complimentary consultation to see if we are a good fit for your orthodontic needs.
Why is it important to find an orthodontist near you?
Finding an orthodontist near you is important for your own convenience. Life is much easier when your appointment locations are close to your home!
If you have found this post, then Dr. Reagin is most likely an orthodontist near you! With office locations in Summerville and Cane Bay, Reagin Orthodontics is the perfect spot for future patients in the southern South Carolina area! Come visit our offices in person, or you can tour them online.
In addition to making it easy and convenient for appointments, having an orthodontist nearby is also helpful in case of an emergency. While emergencies are rare during the course of treatment, they can happen. Therefore, having your orthodontist nearby makes it easy to get treatment quickly.
Do I need a referral for an orthodontist?
When looking for an orthodontist you may wonder if you need a referral. While some specialists require a referral, you do not need a referral for an orthodontist! In fact, at Reagin Orthodontics, you can simply give us a call (843-471-4411) or visit us online to schedule a free consultation.
Even though you don’t need a referral, many dentists do refer patients for orthodontic treatment. Therefore, while a referral is not necessary to see an orthodontist, we happily take referrals here when we get them!
How much is the orthodontist?
The cost of orthodontic treatment is a common question. It is a difficult answer to provide in a single blog post because the cost of service depends on the patient’s needs. We understand that this is a big investment though! Therefore, we always take time to discuss different payment and financing options during your consultation.
However, if you have questions about financing before we meet, feel free to contact us ahead of time. For your convenience, Reagin Orthodontics also offers a financing and payment calculator on our website, and we also have an excellent team that can discuss payment plans with you. If you have insurance, we can go over the coverage you have available.
While we hope that Reagin Orthodontics is an orthodontist close to your home, we hope that wherever you are this information will help you find an orthodontist that is best for you!