can a general dentist do braces well?!

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An orthodontist has 2 to 3 additional years of learning. A dentist can get his or her training in 2 years. An orthodontist spends 4 to 5 years in a dental college.

Most general dentists who know how to do orthodontics are familiar with functional orthodontic techniques and can thus prevent TMJ from developing in their patients. Traditional orthodontists, on the other hand, are taught techniques that are outdated and archaic. Many are taught to extract bicuspids and this has been shown to cause TMJ problems as well as worsen the facial profile. However, not all general dentists are good at what they do either so you need to ask your dentist about his experience and if he/she knows how to treat TMJ. There are some general dentists who follow the same treatment techniques as traditional orthodontists and that is not a good thing. Just because a dentist is an orthodontic specialist does not necessarily mean that they are better. As a matter of fact, very few traditional orthodontists know how to treat TMJ and many actually cause this problem in their patients.

functional orthodontist; treated TMJ since 1984

just depends. An orthodontist will tell you they can't. But thats probably because they don't want you to take your business somewhere else.

Dental Assistant

No, unless he is a trained orthodontist. But if he i a regular dentist than he is probably not allowed to.

It depends. My mom had a general dentist do hers and she has never liked the job they did. Orthodontists are trained better.