Trust an Orthodontist with your Smile

McClellan Orthodontics

McClellan Orthodontics is proud to provide exceptional orthodontic care to patients of all ages. Dr. McClellan is highly trained and experienced in identifying and correcting a wide variety of orthodontic issues, from crooked teeth to misaligned jaws. 

Did you know that Orthodontists and Dentists are not interchangeable? There are significant differences between orthodontists and dentists that you should be aware of in order to make an informed decision regarding orthodontic care for you and your family.

Orthodontists and dentists both help patients improve their oral health, but in different ways. Dentistry is a broad medical specialty that deals with the teeth, gum, nerves, and jaw, while orthodontics is a specialty within dentistry that focuses on correcting bites. All orthodontists are dentists, but most dentists are not properly trained orthodontists.

Orthodontists and Dentists both begin their careers with dental school, but once they graduate, their paths go in separate directions. Dentists are free to begin practicing immediately after graduating from dental school, but orthodontists must complete an additional 2-3 years of education, training, and supervision. During this time, orthodontists learn a great deal about identifying and treating the misalignment of teeth and jaws by studying the growth and maturation of the mouth and learning special biomechanical techniques to successfully move the teeth using braces, aligners, and other appliances.

Most people aren’t aware of how much work goes into becoming an orthodontist! While there are exceptions to almost every rule, most general dentists don’t possess the level of education and skills a certified orthodontist, like Dr. McClellan has.

The benefits of having an orthodontist work on your teeth goes beyond just having a beautiful smile. Well-aligned teeth make it possible to bite, chew and speak effectively. Not everyone needs to have orthodontic treatment, but it may be required if you have any of the following issues:

Overbites: When your front teeth stick out over your lower teeth, you have an overbite.

Underbites: When lower teeth extend too far forward and your top teeth are too far back, you have an underbite.

Crossbites: When the upper teeth do not come down in front of the lower teeth properly, it creates an improper bite, or crossbite.

Spacing issues: These include gaps or spaces between your teeth.

Crowding: When there are too many teeth for a limited amount of space, you can experience crowding.

Misplaced Midlines: This occurs when the centers of your upper and lower teeth are not aligned.

Wondering if you should see an orthodontic expert to improve your smile?

You have every right to choose the healthcare provider you feel most comfortable with, but when it comes to your smile, it’s worth considering an orthodontist with specialized training. Give McClellan Orthodontics a call today.

Did you know?

Dr. McClellan is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthodontists, an achievement only 35% of orthodontists attain.