Both dentists and orthodontists specialize in oral care. All orthodontists are dentists; however, only about 10% of dentists are orthodontists. Orthodontists complete an additional two or three years of training in a competitive orthodontic residency program. The main similarity between a dentist and an orthodontist is that both focus on oral care.
An orthodontist can work in a dental office and provide the same care as a dentist. So, in this sense, they're quite similar. Both are considered doctors and take care of the teeth and gums. Dentists who have training and experience in orthodontics can place braces and other orthodontic appliances.
However, crooked teeth can be caused by an underlying skeletal problem that goes beyond the dentist's skill set. When they encounter these types of situations, the dentist will refer the patient to an orthodontist. Orthodontic treatment does more than move your teeth in a straight line. While one of the benefits of braces is undoubtedly having prettier teeth, orthodontists are trained to detect and correct complex bite and jaw problems that normally exceed the skill level of general dentists.
While a dentist may be trained to provide orthodontic care in addition to extractions, temporomandibular joint treatments and fillings, entrusting your smile to an orthodontist can better balance the different procedures you need. However, orthodontists attend an additional two or three years of study and then become certified in orthodontics. If you're looking for more information on how an orthodontist can help you bite and align your teeth and transform your smile, contact Tri-Cities Orthodontics today to schedule a consultation. Orthodontists continue their studies for two or three years after dental school and dedicate thousands of hours to specific classes on malocclusions, bone growth problems, jaw problems, craniofacial anatomy, biomechanics and more.
Orthodontists are also dentists, but their specialty in dentistry focuses on correcting bites, occlusion, which is the way teeth come into contact with each other, and the straighteness of the teeth. Orthodontists will help you correct the overbite, underbite, tooth crowding, and tooth alignment. Dentists and orthodontists are similar in that they are dedicated to oral care and keeping your mouth healthy and happy. To get the best orthodontic treatment for your needs, find an orthodontist who is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists.
The additional time that orthodontists spend on training is used to learn about the diagnosis and treatment of dental and skeletal malocclusions. It's important to remember that all orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. Another difference is that orthodontists specialize in helping patients align their teeth, improve their bite, or place them in corrective appliances and appliances. To learn more about the difference between dentists and orthodontists, or to schedule an initial consultation with doctors, orthodontists are specialists who focus on the bite: how the teeth meet and function, how they align, how they are placed in the jaws, and the position and size of the upper and lower jaws.
If you're trying to remember the differences between dentists and orthodontists, remember that dentists will help you with general oral care, tooth decay and gum disease, as well as with procedures such as tooth extraction, crowns or root canals. .
