Here at the orthodontic offices of Dr. Jared Lee, we believe patients should be informed and empowered throughout the course of their orthodontic treatment. After all, making the decision to improve your oral health with orthodontic treatment is a big step! As an educated patient, you’ll know that your smile is too important to trust to anyone other than a trained orthodontist. But what if you’re not sure where to start? Our team has put together a list of three questions to ask when choosing an orthodontist to help take the guesswork out of this life-changing decision!
These questions will help you know the most important things to consider when choosing an orthodontist and a treatment for your unique smile. Let’s take a closer look at what you need to know before committing to an orthodontic practice for your treatment!
Is the doctor a trained orthodontic specialist?
While this may seem somewhat obvious, it’s actually the most important question you can ask when looking into braces treatment or clear aligner therapy. This is because some general dentists are also able to provide orthodontic treatment, even though they don’t specialize in it.
A general dentist will often provide common dental services such as crowns, fillings, dentures, and occasional orthodontic treatment, like Invisalign. An orthodontist, on the other hand, is completely dedicated to providing only orthodontic services.
This distinction is incredibly important. Just imagine for a moment that you or your child required specialized treatment or surgery. Would you feel comfortable with your family physician handling your case, or you would seek out a dedicated and experienced specialist?
Orthodontists are essentially dentists who undergo several additional years of specialized training and hands-on experience. This means an orthodontist has:
- studied the growth and maturation of the teeth and jaw
- been introduced to numerous case studies
- developed diagnostic skills
- learned bio-mechanical techniques to properly move teeth
- studied how to change the development of the dental alveolar complex and facial growth of younger patients
To give you a better understanding of how competitive orthodontic residency programs are, only the top students from any dental school’s graduating class are accepted each year. These programs typically last around 2-3 years and include full-time training that focuses on correcting orthodontic issues using braces and aligners. While there are exceptions to every rule, most dentists will not possess this same level of exhaustive orthodontic training and experience.
Dr. Jared Lee is an orthodontist with expert training and restorative experience like none other! His commitment and dedication to creating healthy, beautiful smiles show on the faces of the countless individuals he’s helped along their orthodontic journey. When Dr. Lee is treating you, you’ll reap the benefits of his extensive training and years of experience!
Dr. Lee gives patients in Oxnard, Santa Paula, and the surrounding communities the attention to detail required to create unique treatment plans customized to each patients’ needs. He has hundreds of hours of education and training specifically devoted to shifting teeth, successfully creating confidence-building smiles.
What treatment options does the orthodontist offer?
Dr. Jared Lee is proud to offer a wide variety of aesthetic orthodontic treatment options to patients in Oxnard, Santa Paula, and surrounding communities, including clear braces and clear aligners.
Metal braces
Today’s metal braces have come a long way from the bulky brackets and headgear of the past. Our Santa Paula and Oxnard offices use state-of-the-art technology to move teeth more efficiently and quicker than ever before. With brackets and wires that are lightweight and comfortable, metal braces are a great option for patients of any age.
Clear braces
Also known as ceramic braces, these function in the same way metal braces do, but are made of clear materials instead of stainless steel. Because they are less visible than traditional braces, they’re popular with older teens and adult patients who may be more image-conscious. While they’re the same size and shape as metal braces, they can be a bit more fragile, so we tend to recommend them for our older teen and adult patients.
Clear aligners
Clear aligners are removable orthodontic appliances that use a series of customized aligners to straighten the teeth. Because the aligners are clear and can be removed, patients can eat and drink as they normally would, plus brushing and flossing effectively is easier to achieve. The aligners are custom-made to fit snugly but comfortably over the patient’s own teeth.
How frequent are follow-up visits with the orthodontist?
Whatever treatment option you decide upon, you can expect regular visits to your orthodontist to be a part of the process. For most patients, adjustment appointments are scheduled about every 4-8 at whichever office location is more convenient for you. During these visits, Dr. Lee will assess the progress of your treatment, replace any worn-out rubber bands, and make any other adjustments that may be necessary to keep your treatment on track.
Patients who choose clear aligner therapy may be seen slightly less often, but these appointments are just as important to the success of your treatment, so do your best not to miss them!
While treatment time will vary from case to case, most of our orthodontic patients spend anywhere from 12-36 months in treatment. You’ll be seeing us regularly throughout your orthodontic journey and we value the relationships we’ll build along the way! We know you have a busy schedule, so we never overbook appointments and always aim to see you at your scheduled time.
Leave your smile to Dr. Jared Lee and his expert team!
If you’re looking for the best orthodontic care in Oxnard, Santa Paula, or the surrounding area, Dr. Lee is unmatched in skill, expertise, and the attention to detail he offers each and every patient. Since his sole specialty is orthodontics, he has everything necessary to give you the best in treatments, cost, and efficiency along your journey to a better smile.
If you’re ready to take the first step in your orthodontic journey, we would love to meet you and talk more about your smile goals! There’s never been a better time to take the first step towards a healthier smile, so get in touch today to schedule your FREE consultation with Dr. Jared Lee!