Do job titles like “orthodontist” and “dentist” run together for you? We understand that. But did you know that orthodontists like Dr. Henao at Bliss Orthodontics are dentists before they become orthodontists? It’s true! An orthodontic professional in Coppell has to know all the things a dentist knows and then build on those ideas. Let’s look at the similarities and differences between a general dentist and an orthodontist together, so you can know what each doctor offers. Then, you’ll be better equipped to make the best decision for you and your family.
A Quick Coppell Snapshot
You already trust your family’s general dentist for cleanings and cavities, so it’s natural to wonder if that same office can help your child’s teeth. In Coppell, our Bliss Orthodontics team hears questions like this from parents all the time.
Here’s the short answer: the person who tightens braces or plans clear aligners should be a specialist, not just a dentist. If that’s what you’re looking for, Dr. Henao is one of those specialists. But what sets an orthodontist like our doctor apart from a dentist?
Extra Years, Extra Know-How
Every orthodontist begins as a dentist, but only about 5 percent of dentists continue on to earn the specialty title. Those who do add roughly 3,700 hours—that’s two to three full years—of focused education in tooth movement and jaw growth. Think of it like the difference between a family physician and a heart surgeon: both went to medical school, but only one spent years studying a very narrow field. In order to become an orthodontist that Coppell families trust, Dr. Henao honed her dental experience to a higher standard.
Two Different Daily Jobs
A family dentist spends most days polishing enamel, filling small cavities, and checking gum health. An orthodontic specialist, who you’ll find among our Bliss Orthodontics team, spends those same hours adjusting brackets, designing aligner plans, and guiding the development of jaws.
Orthodontics involves teeth, but it doesn’t stop there. Teeth are connected to other tissues in your face, like bones and muscles. A skilled orthodontic professional like Dr. Henao understands the science of how those parts of your face work with your teeth and jaws.
Because aligning teeth is their sole focus, specialists stay current on new wires, digital planning software, and growth-related concerns that a busy dental office may see only occasionally.
Why Get Braces at Bliss Orthodontics
Moving teeth is biology, physics, and timing rolled into one. When a specialist with advanced training approaches your smile according to your needs, you’ll see spectacular results. Before Dr. Henao touches your smile, she must understand the problem. That means getting to know you, and what you expect to get out of your treatment.
An orthodontist also knows how to use technology to diagnose you before they make any changes properly. Digital X-rays and scans can tell an orthodontist what’s going on behind the scenes with your smile. Or maybe we should say “behind the gums?” With that kind of technology, what kinds of issues are orthodontists looking for?
Hidden Checks Your Orthodontist Makes at Every Visit
An orthodontic appointment is more than a quick wire-tightening. Dr. Henao runs through a checklist to keep your child’s smile healthy and on schedule:
- Root Health – She reviews progress X-rays to be sure each tooth’s root stays strong and full-length. If roots start to shorten, she slows the tooth movement so long-term support isn’t lost.
- Gum Support – Swollen or shrinking gum lines can hint at too much force. By spotting the first signs, she can adjust pressure and protect those pink “pillows” that hold teeth in place.
- Jaw Balance – A quick bite check tells her whether the upper and lower jaws are tracking together. Tiny tweaks now can save kids from future headaches, jaw clicks, or nighttime grinding.
- Post-Braces Stability – She watches how teeth settle between visits and plans early for retainers. That foresight helps prevent the dreaded “relapse” where freshly straightened teeth drift out of line.
Because these issues can sneak up silently, having a specialist scan for them at every visit keeps surprises—and extra costs—off your family’s plate.
Tools of the Trade—Used the Right Way
At Bliss Orthodontics, you’ll find:
- Clear aligners (Invisalign®) – Removable trays planned by software that predicts each tiny movement.
- Growth-guiding appliances – Expanders or space maintainers that gently create room before crowding becomes severe.
These tools aren’t special by themselves; the magic lies in how a specialist sequences and fine-tunes them for each child.
Digital Tech That Makes Appointments Easier
Our Coppell team uses the iTero® digital scanner to capture 3-D models of teeth—no goopy tray. The scanner helps parents see predicted results on-screen before treatment even starts and lets the team track progress with pinpoint accuracy. It’s another layer of precision that elevates specialty care over a “quick-fix” option at a general practice.
Why Coppell Families Trust Dr. Henao
Dr. Henao has been crafting healthy bites for more than 20 years and is the only female orthodontic specialist in the Coppell community. She previously taught at Boston University’s dental school and remains active in state and national orthodontic associations. That experience translates into shorter appointment times, kid-friendly visits, and confident, lasting results for busy parents.
The Takeaway for Your Child’s Smile
Your family dentist plays a vital role in keeping teeth clean and cavity-free. When it’s time to straighten those teeth, though, the safest route is a trained orthodontic specialist. With deeper education, a full toolkit, and technology aimed solely at alignment, specialists like Dr. Henao give our kids in Coppell a healthy bite and a smile that stays put—without unnecessary detours or do-overs. And that peace of mind? It’s something every parent deserves.
You Can’t Miss With Bliss
Bliss Orthodontics in Coppell has everything you and your family need to supplement the care you get from your dentist. To find out more about a free consultation with Dr. Henao, go here.