2. Introduction
• William Fay, DDS, has practiced as an orthodontist
for decades. At his private practice, William Fay,
DDS, evaluates each individual’s unique situation to
determine his or her needs for orthodontics.
While both dentists and orthodontists deal with
issues affecting the mouth and teeth, orthodontists
specialize in the placement of the teeth and
particular issues involving the jaw, such as how the
parts of the jaw connect together. A person might
require the expert help of an orthodontist for a
variety of issues.
3. Orthodontists
• For instance, crooked teeth might require straightening, both
to maintain oral health and to improve the look of their smile.
Similarly, a person might seek an orthodontist’s assistance
with addressing teeth that are too crowded in the mouth or
large gaps in a row of teeth.
Additionally, certain issues involving how the teeth meet each
other when the mouth is closed might require professional
attention from an orthodontist. For instance, some people
have an overbite, a condition in which the top teeth jut out
more than is normal. Similarly, a person might develop the
opposite condition, an underbite. Often, these conditions will
be noticed by a dentist during a routine cleaning. He or she
may refer the patient to a qualified orthodontist for further
evaluation.
