Have you been considering orthodontics for your or your child in the year ahead? You may have wondered if your family dentist can perform an orthodontic evaluation or if you’ll need to see an orthodontist. While many people believe the two are interchangeable, there are some significant differences that set them apart. Choosing to improve your smile is a big decision, and one you shouldn’t make lightly. Trust an orthodontist with your family’s smiles! After all, you only get one smile. You don’t want to trust it to anything less than an expert!
Moffett & Walley Orthodontics is proud to provide expert orthodontic care to patients of all ages in Jackson, Madison, and the surrounding communities. Dr. Moffett & Dr. Walley are highly trained, educated, and experienced orthodontists. Once you understand what he has to offer that other dentists don’t, we think you’ll be able to make an informed decision about the best provider for you and your family. Keep reading to learn more!
Extended education and training
Although dentists and orthodontists both begin their careers in dental school, their paths diverge following graduation. Orthodontists will enter a residency program, all of which are extremely competitive. Only the top graduating dental students tend to be accepted! These programs usually last 2-3 years and include specialized education and training that focuses on diagnosing and correcting orthodontic issues. A simpler way of putting it is that orthodontists are dentists who also have extra years of instruction in orthodontics. There are exceptions to every rule, but in general, a general dentist won’t possess this same level of exhaustive orthodontic training and experience.
As you can see, a lot goes into becoming an orthodontist. After completing dental school at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry, Dr. Moffett was accepted as one of four residents to the Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics residency program at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. He spent three additional years training at UT, graduating with both his orthodontic certificate and Master of Dental Science Degree. Dr. Moffett is also a board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, so you can trust your smile is in the best hands when you visit our practice!
Can dentists straighten teeth?
The answer to this is basically “yes, but…” It’s true that all dentists receive some basic orthodontic training at school, and there are certainly some general dentists who are capable of providing orthodontic care to their patients. This is often due to that dentist brushing up on their skills through seminars and workshops. While this allows them to acquire extra orthodontic experience, it’s still an imperfect system. Unlike dedicated orthodontic programs, continuing education courses aren’t always able to cover such extensive and material in any real depth.
If your family dentist offers orthodontic care, it makes sense that you’d be considering them as an option. You’re already familiar with their office and staff, and most of us prefer the known to the unknown! But before you move forward with orthodontic treatment by your dentist, take a moment to consider what an experienced orthodontist like Dr. Moffett can offer, including:
- a wider variety of treatment options
- a customized treatment plan built around your unique smile, lifestyle, and goals
- more efficient treatments and visits, since orthodontics is the main focus
- the best possible outcome for your smile, particularly if your case is complex or severe
Here at Moffett & Walley Orthodontics, orthodontic care is our only focus. We put a great deal of time, energy, and dedication into perfecting our techniques and service! We perform teeth-straightening procedures daily and keep up to date on the latest in industry practice. In our Jackson and Madison offices, we use cutting-edge techniques and technology to provide patients with the best results in the shortest amount of time possible.
Specialized care = superior results
As the patient, you should always choose the care provider you feel comfortable with. But when it comes to the way your teeth look and feel, we think it makes sense to trust an orthodontist with specialized education, training, and experience!
If you needed heart surgery or a broken bone mended, would you ask your family doctor or would you prefer a trained surgeon or orthopedist? While general dentists are theoretically able to provide specialized orthodontic work, it doesn’t mean they’re the best choice. As the old saying goes, just because something can be done doesn’t always mean it should be.
Experienced orthodontic care can also prevent any unnecessary complications. As a trained orthodontist, Dr. Moffett is more likely to notice the little things that a general dentist may overlook. He will only recommend the appropriate treatment plan for you and your smile, which means a shorter treatment time, less chance of complications, and a treatment plan that’s time and cost-effective!
Choose Moffet & Walley Orthodontics for expert care
At Moffet & Walley Orthodontics, we’re committed to providing every patient with a stress-free and rewarding orthodontic experience. We want you to feel welcomed and comfortable from your first appointment to your last! Since our sole specialty is orthodontics, we have the experience and expertise necessary to give you the absolute best in treatments, cost, and efficiency.
If you’re ready to explore everything orthodontics has to offer, we’d love to meet you! When you schedule a FREE consultation with our office, you’ll receive a thorough examination by Dr. Moffett. Following this exam, he’ll walk you through any diagnosis and outline a personalized treatment plan just for you.
This is a no-pressure appointment, so if you decide not to pursue orthodontic treatment immediately, no worries! Our team will still be happy to answer any questions or address any concerns you might have to help you make an informed decision.
Your family deserves a lifetime of healthy smiles, so get in touch today to schedule your FREE in-office or virtual exam!