Why Visit an Orthodontist for Invisalign?

If you look at most dentists and orthodontists, you may see one major overlap between the services offered: Invisalign. So, it can be easy to assume that you can get the same services at one practice than you can at another. Here, we’ll look at when it’s better to see an orthodontist for clear aligners in Columbia, SC and why it matters.

Invisalign Today

In the past, Invisalign was largely used for mild misalignment issues. In 1998, if a child or adult had a more moderate case, they were likely to get traditional braces. Since then, there have been endless iterations to the product, making it more practical to fix more moderate cases than ever before. However, even with all the advancements, only traditional braces can work for the most severe cases.

Orthodontists and Invisalign

In general, orthodontists are recommended for patients with more severe misalignments. This is because they not only know more about straightening the teeth and jaw, but also because they’ve likely worked with more cases of clear aligners than a regular dentist. This doesn’t mean that a regular dentist can’t handle mild cases, only that you may want that extra experience and expertise when it comes down to it.

Why Invisalign?

There are several types of clear aligners on the market, so you may wonder if Invisalign is worth it for you. The best way to decide is to talk to an orthodontist in Columbia, SC. At Tompkins Orthodontics, for example, we offer both Spark and Invisalign. We not only give our patients all the information they need upfront, whether it’s about treatment time or costs, we also make official recommendations based on what you’re looking for. For example, if you have more severe crowding, you may need Invisalign to treat the issue.

There are multiple practices in Columbia that you can visit if you need clear aligners, and this is true whether you go to an orthodontist or a dentist. While most dentists will refer you to an orthodontist if you need one, it’s important to remember that the terms ‘moderate’ and ‘severe’ may be interpreted differently at different practices. If you’re looking for an opinion you can really trust, contact our team today!