Orthodontists and Dentists: What’s the difference?
An orthodontist focuses on straightening teeth and a dentist mainly handles everything related to cavities, right? Well, that’s only partly right! Orthodontists do a lot more than straighten teeth and dentists are more than just professional tooth fillers. So, what exactly is the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist, and when is it necessary to see them?
What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in treating irregularities in jaws and teeth. An orthodontist goes to school for an additional 2 years AFTER dental school in order to specialize in orthodontics. Every orthodontist is a dentist, but not every dentist is an orthodontist!
When should you see an orthodontist?
According to the American Dental Association and American Association of Orthodontists, children should first see an orthodontist when they are seven years old to examine the child’s adult teeth, bite, spacing of the teeth, and jaw growth. The sooner irregularities are addressed, the better—it could be life-changing.
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, more than 5.75 million patients seek orthodontic treatment in the United States and Canada every year.
As an adult, you should see an orthodontist for any of the following reasons:
You have concerns about the positioning of your teeth
You are having breathing troubles or sleep apnea
You struggle to articulate
You have difficulty chewing
If misaligned teeth are left untreated, this can lead to gum disease, difficulty chewing, and tooth decay. Seeing an orthodontist has the potential to not just transform your smile, but also to improve your overall health.
An orthodontist uses a variety of treatment approaches to align and straighten teeth, reduce mouth pain, and help correct jaw growth. These treatments include:
Braces
Removable retainers
Headgear
Space maintainers
Aligners
Jaw repositioning appliances
Palatal expanders
What is a dentist?
On the other hand, a dentist is a doctor who specializes in oral health care.
In addition to creating treatment plans, promoting disease prevention and oral health, and referring patients to specialists, dentists also do the following:
Clean and repair teeth
Interpret X-rays and diagnostic tests
Fit patients for dentures, crowns, and other dental appliances
Perform surgical procedures
Place sealants or whitening agents on teeth
Change Your Smile with Weaver Orthodontics
Both dentists and orthodontists provide vital care for your oral health. If you are interested in changing your smile with Lightforce Braces, Invisalign, or traditional braces, contact Weaver Orthodontics today!
