Overview
This guide explains orthodontic care in Winters. You will learn what an orthodontist does, when treatment helps, what visits involve, and how to choose a provider.
People who type "orthodontist winters" into a search engine usually want a local specialist who can straighten teeth and fix bite problems. An orthodontist is a dentist with extra specialty training in moving teeth and aligning jaws.[5] This guide is for parents weighing care for a child and for adults thinking about treatment for themselves. For a wider look at the field, see the orthodontics page.
When you search locally, practices such as Wincrest Orthodontics and providers like Dr. Ben Winters show up in results, including listings tied to a Plano office. You can use this guide to ask better questions and compare options, whether you choose Wincrest Orthodontics or another practice.
Key Information
Orthodontics is the part of dentistry that corrects crooked teeth and bad bites. An orthodontist moves teeth into healthier positions over months of planned treatment.
The clinical word for a bad bite or crooked teeth is malocclusion. It means the teeth do not line up well, or the upper and lower jaws do not meet correctly. Left alone, some cases make chewing, cleaning, and speaking harder. Orthodontic care aims to fix these problems and keep teeth easier to clean.
What an orthodontist does
An orthodontist diagnoses and treats problems with how teeth and jaws line up. Every orthodontist first trains as a dentist, then completes two to three years of extra specialty training focused only on moving teeth and guiding jaw growth.[5] Here is the key difference between a generalist and a specialist. A general dentist cares for your overall oral health with cleanings, fillings, and routine checkups, while an orthodontist is the specialist who corrects alignment and bite. Think of it like seeing a family doctor for everyday care and a specialist for one specific need. In short, a general dentist is the generalist for your everyday teeth and gums, and an orthodontist is the specialist for moving teeth and aligning jaws. Wincrest Orthodontics is one example of a practice that provides this kind of orthodontic care for children and adults.
Braces and clear aligners
Two common tools are braces and clear aligners. Braces use small brackets bonded to the teeth and connected by wires that the orthodontist adjusts over time. Clear aligners are clear plastic trays that fit over the teeth, and you switch to a new set every week or two.
Clear aligner systems are cleared by the FDA through the 510(k) process, which shows that a new device is much like one already on the market. This is different from FDA approval through the premarket approval, or PMA, pathway, which calls for more testing and is used for higher risk devices.[7] Clear aligners are removable for eating and brushing, while braces stay in place until treatment ends. One tradeoff is environmental: aligners are plastic, and researchers have flagged questions about how aligner waste should be handled.[1] Both options can work well, and the better fit depends on your bite, your habits, and your treatment plan.
The table below compares braces and clear aligners side by side so you can see how they differ at a glance.
<table><thead><tr><th>Feature</th><th>Braces</th><th>Clear aligners</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Look</td><td>Metal or clear brackets with wires you can see</td><td>Thin plastic trays that are hard to notice</td></tr><tr><td>Removable</td><td>No, they stay on until treatment ends</td><td>Yes, you take them out to eat and clean your teeth</td></tr><tr><td>Best for</td><td>Many cases, including complex bites</td><td>Mild to moderate alignment problems</td></tr><tr><td>Daily care</td><td>Brush and floss carefully around brackets and wires[6]</td><td>Rinse the trays, brush your teeth, and wear the trays about 20 to 22 hours a day</td></tr><tr><td>FDA status</td><td>Brackets and wires are regulated dental devices</td><td>Cleared through the FDA 510(k) process, not PMA approval[7]</td></tr></tbody></table>
Problems orthodontics can treat
Orthodontic treatment can address many alignment problems. Your orthodontist will check for these during an exam.
- Crowding, when there is not enough room and teeth overlap
- Gaps or extra spacing between teeth
- Overbite, when the upper front teeth sit far ahead of the lower teeth
- Underbite, when the lower teeth sit ahead of the upper teeth
- Crossbite and open bite, when teeth meet unevenly
What to Know Before You Go
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check-up by age 7, even when teeth look straight.[5]
By age 7, enough adult teeth and jaw growth are visible for an orthodontist to spot problems early. Early treatment does not always start right away. In many cases, the orthodontist watches growth and begins braces or aligners later. This first visit is often low pressure and helps set a plan.
Adults can start orthodontic care at almost any age, as long as the gums and bone are healthy. Dental problems are among the most common health conditions worldwide, so steady dental care and check-ups matter for the whole family.[2] Before an orthodontic visit, it helps to get a recent dental cleaning, bring any X-rays or records, and write down your questions.
What to Expect
Your first visit usually starts with an exam, photos, and X-rays so the orthodontist can map your teeth and jaws before suggesting any treatment.
After the exam, the orthodontist explains a treatment plan. The plan covers the problems found, the options to fix them, and a rough timeline. New patients also get a review of costs and insurance at the dental office before anything begins. Take time to ask questions so you understand each step.
Here is a short example of how care often unfolds. Picture a 7-year-old named Leo whose teeth look straight, but whose dentist suggests an orthodontic check-up anyway. The orthodontist takes photos and X-rays, spots a developing crossbite, and chooses to watch his jaw growth rather than start treatment right away. Two years later the timing is right, and Leo begins a short phase of treatment with a clear plan. This kind of example shows why an early visit can help even when treatment waits.
If you move forward, the next visit places your braces or delivers your first set of aligners. After that, you return for short adjustment visits every few weeks so the orthodontist can guide your teeth. When treatment ends, you wear a retainer to hold the teeth in their new position. Practices such as Wincrest Orthodontics follow a similar path for most patients.
Cost Factors
Orthodontic treatment cost depends on the type of appliance, how long you need it, and how complex your case is.
Full treatment with braces or clear aligners often runs from a few thousand to several thousand dollars. Costs vary by location, provider, and case complexity. Shorter or simpler cases usually cost less than full treatment for a difficult bite.
Many dental insurance plans cover part of orthodontic treatment, often up to a lifetime maximum for each person. Ask the dental office about payment plans, and check whether you can use a health savings account or flexible spending account. Getting a written estimate from Wincrest Orthodontics or any practice you consider makes it easier to compare.
When to See a Specialist
See an orthodontist when you notice crowded or crooked teeth, a bite that feels off, or your dentist suggests a specialty evaluation.
A general dentist handles routine dental care and can screen for alignment problems during regular visits. For active tooth movement and bite correction, an orthodontist has the focused training and tools. Common signs that point to a specialist include trouble chewing, teeth that meet unevenly, early or late loss of baby teeth, mouth breathing, and jaw pain.
Use this simple decision guide to see whether routine care is enough or a specialist visit makes sense.
Choosing the best orthodontist is partly about fit. Online reviews where patients highly recommend Dr. Ben Winters or another provider can offer clues, but read several reviews and book your own consultation. Ask how often the practice treats cases like yours.
- If your teeth and bite feel comfortable and your dentist sees no alignment problems at checkups, then routine dental care is usually enough.
- If you notice one or more of the warning signs above, then ask your dentist for an orthodontic referral or book a consultation yourself.
- If a child is near age 7, then schedule that first orthodontic check-up even when the teeth look straight, so any growth issues are caught early.[5]
- If you are an adult with healthy gums and bone, then you can book a consultation at almost any age to review your options.
Find an Orthodontist
Finding the best orthodontist starts with a consultation, where you can meet the provider and review your options in person. Wincrest Orthodontics welcomes new patients and offers orthodontic care for children and adults, with services tied to a Plano office. Compare a few practices, ask about experience with your type of case, and confirm costs in writing before you decide on Wincrest Orthodontics or any other practice. To learn more about the specialty and what it covers, visit the orthodontics page.
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