On 1/25/2019 9:23 PM, Bob wrote:
I used to have braces and now only have wire retainer and a plastic
retainer I wear at night. Once in a while I need to go back to my old orthodontist for small issues, like loose wire retainer or cracked
plastic retainer.
Instead of doing that, is it easy to switch my dentist to one who is
both a dentist and orthodontist? This way if the dentist sees an issue
he can fix it, whether a dental issue or an orthondontic issue.
I don't see this commonly advertised. Perhaps there is a reason for this?
I live near eastside of Seattle in case you have specific recommendation.
Orthodontists ARE dentists. They are supposed to limit their practice
to orthodontics, however. The way it is SUPPOSED to work is that if
the orthodontist sees a (non-orthodontic) dental problem, he/she is
supposed to refer you back to your general dentist.
At the same time, most general dentists will be hesitant to adjust an orthodontic appliance made by an orthodontist. Sometimes it's possible
for a general dentist to repair a retainer, but mostly if the patient
has no intention of going back to their orthodontist. If (for instance)
you have an Invisalign-type of retainer, a new one can be made from a
pretty simple impression, and I've done that for my own daughter. But
as a general rule, if a patient is still in retention, you're best going
back to the orthodontist who treated you.
Steve
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