Finding an Orthodontist in Chapel Hill

 
 

If you are interested in finding an orthodontist in Chapel Hill, look no further than Morgenstern Orthodontics. Our practice welcomes patients of all ages, including kids, teens and adults. We create beautiful, healthy smiles for everyone through conscientious, expert, and affordable orthodontic care.

What Is an Orthodontist?

Orthodontists are dental specialists that work on dental abnormalities of the teeth, gums, and jaw that affect facial appearance. While all licensed dentists have a general dental degree, only about 1 in 20 dentists continue their education to specialize in the field of orthodontics. This additional training requires another three years of study. An orthodontist will:

Observe dental development in children, checking that facial and dental growth is progressing normally and ensuring all permanent teeth come in properly. An orthodontist will identify emerging issues concerning the bite, tooth alignment, potential tooth impaction, or ectopic tooth eruption.

Diagnose and treat malocclusions (the technical term for misaligned teeth and jaws) for patient’s of any age. Orthodontists move teeth to make them straighter but also to create a healthier bite and a beautiful smile.

  • Devise treatment plans that are unique to each patient and their individual needs. 

  • Place braces, Invisalign or other dental appliances (like expanders) and oversees treatment progress through routine appointments. 

  • Deliver retainers to ensure teeth are maintained in their new positions after treatment is complete.

Orthodontist vs. Dentist

While both orthodontists and dentists are dedicated to providing oral care and improving the oral health of their patients, they focus on different aspects of dentistry. A general dentist has a broad spread of responsibilities while an orthodontic specialist focuses on treatment involving movement of teeth. 

An orthodontist focuses on tooth alignment and correcting the bite. Orthodontists do the following:

  • Supervise facial growth (jaw and bite) in children

  • Monitor eruption of adult teeth in growing kids to ensure they grow in properly

  • Intervene to provide children early orthodontic treatment when needed

  • Diagnose and treat misaligned teeth and jaws

  • Provide treatment with braces, Invisalign and retainers

  • Incorporate other dental appliances when needed such as palatal expanders, forsus springs and headgear.

  • Work with general dentists and other dental specialists to provide comprehensive care

  • In severe cases, work with oral surgeons to provide orthodontic treatment and jaw surgery in order to provide the best outcome

General dentists provide the following care:

Interpret dental X-rays to evaluate for cavities, bone loss, nerve problems

While dentists can identify orthodontic problems such as overbites, crossbites and crowding and can provide minor orthodontic treatments, they do not have the same training as a specialist. In order to receive the highest level of care for the best possible smile, it’s essential to see an orthodontist for your treatment. 

What Orthodontic Treatments Are Available?

There are many varieties of orthodontic treatment that can be beneficial for people interested in improving their smile. Some of the most common approaches are:

Traditional braces:

Metal brackets and archwires are a tried and true, effective approach to aligning the teeth and perfecting your smile.

Ceramic braces:

More subtle than metal braces but they work the same way. Often ceramic or clear braces are used only on the top teeth to make braces less noticeable.

Invisalign:

A removable series of clear aligners will move teeth into their correct positions over time. This is a great product for kids, teens and adults and can be used to correct many different alignment and bite issues.

Early/phase I treatment:

Treatment provided for younger patients, usually aged 7-10, to address problems that may become more severe and harder to correct over time. Early treatment often includes appliances such as a palatal expander to correct a crossbite.

Best Orthodontists in Chapel Hill, NC

The triangle area of NC is very lucky to host the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill which has one of the top dental schools in the country. Dentists and dental specialists who train there have unparalleled and expert training and are able to provide you with the best possible dental care.

Dr. Morgenstern completed both dental school and orthodontic residency training at UNC, graduating top of her class. She opened her own practice after falling in love with the area and is here to provide you and your family exceptional orthodontic care. 

When looking for the best orthodontist in the area, there are a few things you can do:

  • Seek reviews and testimonials to get first hand accounts of patients’ experiences. These reviews are often on the practice’s own website or on Google or Facebook. Hearing from past patients is a great way to help determine if the office and orthodontist are a good fit for you. 

  • Ask for a referral from your dentist. Your dentist may be able to connect you with a reliable and reputable orthodontist that they have worked closely with. Their staff are also likely to have information to connect you with an orthodontist that they trust.

  • Go for a free consultation: Most orthodontists provide exams at no charge so you can see the office, get to know the doctor and team and learn about the options for orthodontic treatment. By going in, you’ll be able to determine if you see yourself receiving care from that office. 

  • Research credentials: Where did the practicing orthodontist obtain their qualifications? Do they have a specialty certificate or are they a general dentist providing orthodontic care?

If you are interested in learning more about our practice and potentially receiving care from Dr. Morgenstern you can get a free consultation by contacting us online or calling the office.