Why add orthodontics into your practice?

Are you a family or pediatric dentist looking to expand your expertise and provide a greater range of services to both new and existing patients? If so, then it’s time to consider learning more about the field of orthodontics and considering the possibility of taking a general dentist orthodontics course. 

By adding a specialty to your practice, you can set your dental office apart and widen your scope of care. Today, we’re sharing a few of the top reasons why this is a smart step. 

Minor work can be majorly transformative.

There are many times when minor orthodontic work can solve a patient’s dental concerns without the need for more extensive or aggressive treatment. When you become skilled in the field of orthodontics, you can assess whether someone requires a minimally invasive approach or a full-scale restorative treatment plan.

Then, you can advise them on the recommended steps forward. Especially in cases of full mouth restoration, including orthodontics in the treatment plan can minimize overall treatment complexity and maximize long-term success. 

Want to get up to speed and start offering these services as soon as possible? The American Orthodontic Society (AOS) can help.

In our orthodontic courses for general dentists, we’ll walk you through our proven system for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. After just five sessions, you’ll be able to competently treat 70% to 80% of the current and prospective orthodontic cases that you encounter at your practice. Senior Instructor Dr. Brad Williams teaches our basic courses in nonextraction straight wire orthodontics, which include two days of hands-on clinical lectures and a half day of case reviews.

Know when to refer out.

If you’re well versed in the foundations of orthodontics, you’ll know when a patient needs treatment outside of what you can offer in your own office. You’ll build connections with specialists in your area, and you can refer their services to those patients as required.

This is a valuable service that can save your patients a significant amount of stress and time. If they’re already in the throes of a dental problem, they likely don’t want to spend time researching local providers. Once you know their concerns, you can help them find the expert care they need. 

Identify orthodontic needs.

Need another reason to practice orthodontics at your dental office? You’ll be able to discern when a patient requires this type of treatment and will know exactly how to proceed. 

This is important because some of the issues that require orthodontics have symptoms that mimic other dental concerns. For instance, a patient complaining of headaches might have misaligned teeth that can be corrected through orthodontics. Or they could be feeling the effects of bruxism. 

The same applies to patients who are suffering from rapid tooth wear or have difficulty eating or speaking. If the pattern of tooth wear indicates malocclusion or the speaking difficulty is related to an open bite, for instance, orthodontics can address these issues. 

When you’re experienced in the technical and clinical sides of both fields, it becomes much easier to identify the signs that distinguish each condition. This leads to more accurate and timely diagnoses, which your patients will appreciate. 

Help solve cosmetic dental issues.

Seeking a perfectly straight smile, some patients automatically turn to cosmetic dentistry to achieve the look they want. This is especially the case if they aren’t suffering from any other dental issues. 

While cosmetic dentistry can be life-changing, it can also be an expensive commitment of time and money. Thankfully, it isn’t always the only choice. 

If you can offer an orthodontic treatment that can solve patients’ problems without requiring further expensive cosmetic care, you’ll make your practice that much more valuable.

Offer restorative dental procedures.

The field of restorative dentistry is based on restoring the form and function of someone’s smile. Dentists correct the underlying dental issues that are damaging the patient’s teeth, as well as restore their smile with treatments such as crowns and bridges. 

While there are advanced, invasive procedures that fall into this service area, not every patient will require them. In fact, minimally invasive dentistry should always be the goal, as it’s usually more accessible and healthier for the patient in the long run. 

Orthodontics is one of the most critical restorative dental procedures available. By offering this service, you can give patients their smiles back and help improve their overall quality of life. This is especially the case in the field of pediatric orthodontics, where you can make a major difference in the lives of your littlest visitors. 

The services you provide will make their teeth stronger, helping them last longer and look better. Orthodontics operates at the crossroads of cosmetic, restorative, and preventive dentistry, so don’t miss the opportunity to become skilled in such an intersectional treatment.

Strengthen the dentist-patient relationship.

As your patients’ trusted dentist, you know their oral health and history the best. You can leverage this existing knowledge to analyze their dental conditions and suggest recommended treatments, many of which you can provide in your office.

If you do need to refer a patient to a specialist for a more complex case, you’ll know exactly how your work fits into the bigger picture. This empowers you to take a more active role in your patients’ comprehensive dental care, which strengthens their trust and loyalty to your practice. 

Understanding orthodontics unlocks doors.

Becoming trained in straight wire orthodontics is a great idea for dentists looking to expand their reach and offer a wider array of services to their patients. With knowledge and experience in this area, you’ll be able to provide a higher quality of care to your community and establish your practice as the go-to dental resource. When you become a member of the AOS, you’ll join a network of more than 1,500 general and pediatric dentists who have grown their practices by adding orthodontics. We’ll help you access the resources, general dentist orthodontics course, and networking opportunities you need to succeed. Join now to get started today!