What’s the Difference Between a Dentist and an Orthodontist?

Dentist vs. Orthodontist: How are They Different?

Orthodontic treatments in Richmond Hill just got better with the addition of a new orthodontist at Bamboo Dental; why is this important news? Because a regular dentist doesn’t offer any orthodontic treatments, only an orthodontist does.

Dentists and orthodontists study general dentistry and are trained to treat and diagnose oral conditions on the teeth, tongue, gums, and mouth, but how are they different?

Orthodontists undergo extra training for treating misalignments of the jaws and teeth. They are the only doctor trained and certified to diagnose patients with misaligned jaws and teeth.

This article aims to explain how an orthodontist differs from a dentist, so you’ll understand the type of doctor to visit when their services are needed, i.e., for teeth, gums, jaws, and mouth problems or orthodontic treatment.

Who is a Dentist, and What Do They Do?

Dentists are certified doctors of oral health with a pre-dentistry or pre-medical degree before they officially attend and graduate from a school of dentistry. They are certified with a general dental degree only to diagnose and treat oral health conditions of the mouth and everything in it.

Only about 80% of dentists practice general dentistry and would instruct patients to visit an orthodontist for orthodontist treatment like putting on braces or adjusting misaligned jaws.

A dentist will also direct you to a dental hygienist to clean your teeth because their field scope doesn’t include fixing braces or cleaning teeth. What then are dentists certified to do? A dentist oversees the treatment of gum diseases and cavities; they replace missing teeth and fix broken teeth.

Other services dentists provide include:

• Filling cavities
• Promoting oral health and hygiene
• Extracting, filling, and bonding teeth
• Conducting and interpreting dental X-rays
• Whitening teeth
• Installing dental veneers
• Performing oral surgery
• Prescribing treatment and drugs for oral-related conditions
• Caring for the development of teeth of children

Who is an Orthodontist, and What Do They Do?

Orthodontists are dental specialists certified with a dental degree and a specialist degree that takes three years to obtain. They are trained with facial and dental development knowledge for proper diagnosis and intervention of orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontists have a wider and more vast knowledge of tooth and jaw alignment than dentists because that is their area of specialization.

Certified orthodontists can diagnose and sometimes treat some oral conditions, but they focus on ensuring the teeth and jaw are properly aligned.

Their area of specialization includes:

• Conducting teeth straightening surgery
• Diagnosing and correcting misaligned teeth and jaws
• Creating a treatment plan that includes retainers and braces
• Installing dental appliances, like braces, orthodontic headgear, and palatal expanders.
• Supervising facial growth in children and adults

When Do You Need to See a Dentist or an Orthodontist?

A dentist can be referred to as a general oral practitioner, while an orthodontist is a specialist because the dentist resolves most standard oral problems.

If you're struggling with pain in your tooth, tooth decay, or in need of tooth repair and extraction, the professional who will diagnose and treat you is the dentist.

A dentist is a doctor who treats oral inflammation, infection, and diseases. A trip to the dentist is your best bet to getting an accurate diagnosis and treatment for most oral health problems.

The orthodontist, on the other hand, is referred to patients by a dentist when their teeth are misaligned, crowded, or when the problem is a palate expansion.

Usually, children under the age of 7 should be accessed by an orthodontist to know whether or not they'll need braces. For accurate diagnosis and treatments of crooked jawline and teeth misalignment, visit an orthodontist for Orthodontic Treatments in Richmond Hill.

Visit Bamboo Dental for your Orthodontic Treatments Today

Orthodontic Treatments in Richmond Hill now has a new orthodontist at Bamboo Dental to increase accurate diagnosis; this specialist is trained and certified to do certain things dentists cannot do. Dentists and orthodontists are both oral doctors with extensive knowledge of treating oral problems, but there are treatments only an orthodontist can oversee and, likewise, a dentist. Now you can confidently visit Bamboo Dental for orthodontic treatment.