Orthodontics can seem pretty straightforward. Maybe it looks like it’s just about moving that one crooked tooth into place or closing a small gap. Easy, right? But there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface.
Each smile is completely unique, and orthodontic treatment must be carefully customised to suit the individual’s anatomy — including their teeth, jaw structure, bite, and even facial profile. What might look like a small adjustment can set off a chain reaction. One wrong move, and it can create bite issues, discomfort, or long-term damage.
That’s why it’s so important to have a specialist orthodontist plan and oversee your treatment. With their in-depth understanding of dental and facial development, they ensure every movement is done safely, precisely, and with your overall health and function in mind, not just appearance.
Let’s unpack the importance of having an orthodontist, not a dentist, straighten your teeth.
More Than Just “Moving Teeth”
It’s easy to think of orthodontics as cosmetic. After all, the end result is a more confident smile. But aligning teeth isn’t like lining up books on a shelf, your teeth are attached to bone, ligaments, muscles, and a living, dynamic bite system. Every movement has a ripple effect.
Orthodontists must take into account the roots of your teeth, jaw position, facial symmetry, bite function, gum health, and even how you breathe or chew. Moving one tooth incorrectly can damage surrounding structures, cause jaw pain, or create new issues down the track.
The Bite Matters
Most people focus on what they see in the mirror, crooked front teeth or gaps. But a major part of orthodontics happens at the back of the mouth. That’s where your bite comes into play.
An incorrect bite (known as a malocclusion) can lead to uneven wear on teeth, headaches and jaw joint dysfunction (TMJ problems). Properly aligning the bite often involves careful coordination of both the upper and lower teeth, which may require moving molars, expanding the palate, or even correcting the position of the jaw.
Every Smile Is Unique
No two mouths are the same. A treatment plan for a teenager with crowding is totally different from a plan for an adult with a history of missing teeth, worn enamel, or previous dental work.
Specialist Orthodontists use 3D scans, X-rays, and photographic dental records to design fully customised treatment plans. These aren’t just aesthetic blueprints they’re clinical roadmaps backed by years of training in craniofacial development, biomechanics, and dental biology.
Technology Helps, But Doesn’t Replace Expertise
Today’s clear aligners, apps, and digital scans make orthodontics seem more accessible than ever and they are, in the right hands. But while the tools have changed, the need for expert oversight hasn’t.
An experienced Specialist Orthodontist monitors how your teeth are responding over time, adapts your plan as needed, and ensures long-term stability. Without this expert guidance, even minor errors can lead to relapse, bite issues, or the need for retreatment.
It’s Worth Doing Right
Straight teeth do more than look great — they contribute to better oral health and long-term comfort. But they only work if they’re aligned in a way that supports your entire dental system.
So if you’ve ever thought, “How hard can it be?” or “I just need to fix my top teeth” now you know! Orthodontics is a careful balance of science, art, and experience. It may look simple from the outside, but what’s happening behind the scenes is anything but.
At Urban Smile, every smile is designed by a Specialist Orthodontist. They will design, plan and monitor your treatment remotely but you can be assured that Dr Igor Lavrin or Dr Sarah Lawrence will be designing your smile. This is our difference: you’ll never meet our orthodontists, and this is why we are typically 25% cheaper than a traditional orthodontist.
“Dr Sarah Lawrence and I have created over 5,000 smiles using clear aligners and have taught clear aligner treatment to orthodontists around the world – so you know you will be in good hands at Urban Smiles” said Dr Igor Lavrin
Book a Free Consultation and see what’s possible