Myths and Facts

MYTH:Orthodontists are appropriate only for the most challenging and complex orthodontic cases.
FACT:Orthodontists recognize the difference between a simple case and a complex one. And when a case is challenging, orthodontists know what to do.

MYTH:My family dentist says he can straighten my teeth.
FACT:An orthodontist has 2-3 years of specialized training beyond dental school and is a specialist at straightening teeth and insuring proper form and function. A dentist may see a handful of cases a year amid drilling and filling. An orthodontist only practices orthodontics and treats hundreds of patients.

MYTH:Braces are for kids.
FACT:One in five orthodontic patients is an adult.


MYTH:If there was a giant, overhead magnet and someone flipped a switch, people wearing braces would fly out of their chairs and stick to the ceiling.
FACT:Unlikely, as braces are made from non-magnetic materials.

 MYTH:Orthodontists charge more than general dentists for orthodontic treatment.

FACT:It's not the same work. The value in seeing an orthodontist for treatment is that the orthodontist is an expert, highly experienced and understands form, function and a wonderful smile

MYTH::Braces are painful and take two years or more for the desired result.
FACT:After the adjustment period, like breaking in a new pair of shoes, braces are comfortable. Some may be worn for months, not years.

MYTH:Signals from braces link to the Internet to download songs onto an iPod.
FACT: This is not possible right now.

MYTH:Braces are ugly, call attention to themselves and would be embarrassing in business settings.
FACT:Today's braces may be nearly invisible, made from clear plastic, or unseen, mounted on the back (lingual) side of the teeth.

MYTH:Orthodontists have a low profile
FACT:Orthodontists give back to the community by offering free, discounted, services to patients in need.

MYTH:Any dentist may join the American Association of Orthodontists
FACT:Only orthodontists may become members of the American Association of Orthodontists.

My dentist says I need braces. What’s the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist when it comes to straightening teeth?

Just as there are specialists in medicine (such as cardiologists, neurologists, etc.), there are specialists in dentistry. Orthodontists are dental specialists who dedicate their professional lives to correcting misaligned teeth and jaws.

Orthodontists are qualified general dentists, who after graduating from dental school, go on to additional full-time university-based education in an accredited orthodontic residency program supervised by orthodontists. That training lasts at least two academic years—sometimes more. By learning about tooth movement (orthodontics) and guidance of facial development (dentofacial orthopedics), orthodontists are the uniquely trained experts in dentistry to straighten teeth and align jaws.

Orthodontists limit their practices to orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. That means that orthodontic treatment is what they do, and that is all they do!  Orthodontists treat a wide variety of malocclusions (improperly aligned teeth and/or jaws) in young children, teens and adults.

While there are dentists who have attended after-hours courses or seminars and put on braces, selecting an orthodontist who is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is your assurance that you have chosen an orthodontist.  Only orthodontists may be members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) and the state of Illinois requires written and oral board examination and certification to practice as an orthodontist.

Dr. Kimberly (Gibbons) Haug is an Alton native and Alton High School graduate.  She obtained her general dental degree from SIUE School of Dental Medicine and her orthodontic specialist degree from St. Louis University.  She is a member of the American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontists.  She has offices in Alton and Highland and has been practicing orthodontics since 1995. 
For more information about orthodontics, please visit www.UnforgettableSmiles.net or call Dr. Haug’s office at 463-7002.  Haug Orthodontics accepts most insurance plans and offers flexible payment options to fit most any budget.