Here at Hamer & Glassick Orthodontics, it’s important to us that you feel informed and empowered from your first visit all the way until your last. We understand that choosing to improve your oral health with orthodontic treatment is a big decision, and since you only get one smile, you shouldn’t trust it to anyone other than an experienced orthodontist! But what if you’re not sure how to go about finding one?
To help get you started on your orthodontic journey, our talented team has put together this list of important questions to ask any orthodontists you’re considering, in order to make an informed decision on your care. Let’s take a closer look at what you should know before committing to a particular practice or treatment!
Is the doctor a trained orthodontic specialist?
This is actually the most important question you can ask when exploring braces treatment or clear aligner therapy like Invisalign. That’s because some general dentists are also able to provide orthodontic treatment, even though they don’t specialize in it.
A general dentist will typically offer common dental services such as crowns, fillings, dentures, and occasional orthodontic treatment like Invisalign. An orthodontist, on the other hand, spends their days providing only orthodontic services.
This distinction is so important! 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 would you prefer a dedicated specialist?
Orthodontists are essentially dentists who also have several years of additional specialized training and 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 biomechanical 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 an idea of how competitive orthodontic residency programs are, they only accept the top students in any dental school graduating class! These orthodontic programs last around 2-3 years, and include full-time training that focuses on correcting orthodontic issues with braces and aligners. While there are exceptions to every rule, most dentists won’t possess this same level of exhaustive orthodontic training and experience.
Dr. Andrew Glassick is a board-certified orthodontist serving the community in Central Virginia at Hamer & Glassick Orthodontics. This means he is amoung the top 10% in the entire country. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Wake Forest University, before earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry.
Dr. Glassick also holds the following certifications and distinctions:
- Certificate in Core Concepts of Public Health, University of North Carolina School of Public Health
- Certificate, General Practice Residency, University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine
- Certificate in Orthodontics, Served as Chief Resident and graduated with Distinction in Leadership Training, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Dr. Glassick taught dental school for 2 years in the Restorative and Surgical Department of the University of Colorado. He also served as Assistant Clinical Faculty at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
What treatment options does the orthodontist offer?
Hamer & Glassick Orthodontics has a wide variety of treatment options available to patients of all ages in Charlottesville, Crozet, and the surrounding communities.
Metal braces
Traditional metal braces are still the most commonly used orthodontic appliance, and have come a long way in recent years! They’re typically made of a mix of high-grade stainless steel, nickel, and other durable metals. Bands wrap around the back molars, and smaller metal brackets are cemented to the front surfaces of the other teeth. There is also a thin, springy metal wire that runs through the brackets, which may be fixed to the brackets by flexible elastics, metal ties, or another type of clasp. All of these components come together to gently guide your teeth into in the positions necessary for your new smile.
Clear braces
Sometimes called 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. They are larger and more brittle than their metal counterparts, so we tend to use them on the upper front teeth more often than the lower teeth.
Invisalign
The Invisalign system is made up of a series of customized aligners that are nearly invisible and completely removable. Unlike traditional braces, no brackets and wires are needed to move the teeth! This offers patients a measure of freedom and flexibility that traditional braces just can’t beat. Designed to fit snugly but comfortably over your own teeth, Invisalign provides a more subtle and comfortable orthodontic experience. When worn the recommended 20-22 hours per day, and changed out weekly with the next in the set, these aligners will gradually move your teeth into the desired positions.
Invisalign Teen
Although Invisalign and Invisalign Teen work the same way when it comes to the underlying technology, Invisalign Teen was developed with the unique needs of teen patients in mind. There are a few special features that are specific to the Invisalign Teen system, including the following:
Compliance indicators
To help teens stick to their treatment plan, Invisalign Teen has a compliance indicator incorporated into each aligner. This will fade from blue to clear as it is used, providing a visual approximation of wear. This lets patients, parents, and orthodontists keep track of patient use. If a teen is skipping out on hours, it will be noticeable in enough time for us to correct compliance, thus keeping the overall process moving along at the right pace.
Eruption tabs
This feature accommodates the growth of the second molars in young adults, helping to keep space open for unerupted teeth and making it possible to treat a wider range of conditions with Invisalign.
Replacement aligners
We all lose or damage things from time to time. While we encourage all of our Invisalign patients to be careful with their aligners, teens don’t need to worry about misplacing or losing one. Invisalign Teen anticipates it happening, and provides up to six replacement aligners at no charge, just in case!
How frequent are follow-up visits with the orthodontist?
Whatever treatment option you choose with Dr. Glassick or Dr. Hamer, you can expect relatively frequent visits to our Charlottesville or Crozet office. For most patients, adjustment appointments will be scheduled for every 4-8 weeks or so. During these visits, Dr. Hamer or Dr. Glassick will replace any worn-out rubber bands, check the progress your teeth are making, and make adjustments to the wires to ensure that the teeth are moving in the right direction.
Invisalign patients may be seen slightly less frequently, but these appointments are still an essential part of the orthodontic process, so you don’t want to miss them!
While treatment time will always vary from case to case, the average patient will spend anywhere from 12-36 months in treatment. You’ll be seeing us often throughout your orthodontic journey! We know how busy today’s families are, so we never overbook patients and always aim to see you at your scheduled time.
Don’t trust your smile to anything less than the best!
If you’re looking for the best in high-quality orthodontic care, Dr. Glassick or Dr. Hamer has the education, skills, and expertise necessary to create a beautiful smile with long-lasting results. If you’re ready to take the first step in your orthodontic journey, we would love to meet you and talk more about how we can help you achieve the smile you desire. There’s never been a better time to take the first step towards improved oral health, so get in touch today to schedule your FREE consultation with Dr. Glassick or Dr. Hamer!