When it comes to dental care, there is a fundamental difference between general dentistry and orthodontics. All orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. General dentists are highly qualified professionals who focus on the overall health, well-being, and beauty of your smile. Orthodontists, on the other hand, specialize in diagnosing, preventing, and correcting teeth and jaws that are out of position.
In some states, dentists may provide some orthodontic treatments such as braces in addition to their general dental services. However, orthodontists typically only offer treatments that fall within their specialty. Orthodontists use x-rays and photographs of the teeth to create individualized treatment plans for each patient. To become an orthodontist, a dentist must pursue a pre-dental or pre-medical specialization in their undergraduate degree before entering dental school. After graduating from dental school and taking the certification exam, they must attend an orthodontic residency program for an additional two or three years to obtain a specialty certification in orthodontics. Dentists and orthodontists often work together to develop an effective treatment plan that takes into account overall oral health.
If you have been given an orthodontic appliance and need to repair it, your orthodontist can help. If you need dental treatment, your dentist will recommend that you seek orthodontic care if needed or work collaboratively with an orthodontist who can provide the type of care you need. It is recommended that parents take their children to the orthodontist at least once before they turn seven years old to see if there are any signs of problems. Orthodontists have many tools at their disposal to help them align teeth and jaws correctly, including traditional braces, lingual braces, and transparent aligners. So if you need dental treatment, should you call an orthodontist or dentist? If you have a toothache or suspect that you might have developed a cavity, see your general dentist for a diagnosis. If you look in the mirror and see gaps or that your mouth is too full and your smile is crooked, then an orthodontist is here to help.
