Orthodontist vs Dentist

Dentists and Orthodontist are both professionals in the field of dental care. Your Dentist is who you should see at least every six months for regular maintenance and check-ups and general dental and oral care. A maple grove Orthodontists is also a dentist but they have specialized in the straightness of teeth and correcting bites. So all Orthodontists are Dentists, but not all Dentists are Orthodontists!

How Dentists and Orthodontists are Alike

While both professionals are dedicated to the health and care of your teeth and jaw, a Dentist is a provider for a broader array of services and will refer patients out to a specialist if there is a specific problem that needs to be addressed.

An Orthodontist is one such specialist that your dentist may refer you to for crowded teeth or a misaligned bite. However, you do not need a referral to visit an orthodontist.

How They Differ

Orthodontists require further education after dental school where a general dentist can begin practicing dentistry once they have completed dental school and obtained their license. Orthodontics is considered a specialty so the additional schooling and training gives orthodontists the experience they need to straighten teeth and treat jaw issues.

Dentists work with you on a regular basis to establish and maintain good oral health and determine when you need restorative work. Your Dentist can determine if you have gum disease or are in need of root canal therapy. If you tell your Dentist that you are experiencing pain or temperature sensitivity, they will likely refer you to an Endodontist who specializes in the treatment of root canals.

A few things your dentist should be seen for include:

• Fillings: A smaller amount of decay can be restored with a tooth-colored resin composite filling.
• Crowns: Larger cavities or fractured teeth are restored using a crown that is placed over the entire tooth.
• Bridges: Your Dentist can use a porcelain bridge to restore an area missing one or two teeth.
• Dentures: If you are missing a large number of teeth, your Dentist can make a denture for you to restore form and function to your mouth.
• Teeth whitening: Your Dentist has in-office whitening used to brighten your smile. Whitening can be especially beneficial if you are having restoration work done. Whitening before will give your veneers or crowns a brighter shade to be matched to.
• Implant restorations: If you have had an implant placed, your dentist will place the crown on the implant but is not likely to have placed the actual implant.
• Periodontal disease: Some gum disease can be treated by your Dentist but if you have extensive periodontitis, you may be referred to a Periodontist for treatment.

Orthodontists are dental professionals who specialize in malocclusion and the alignment of teeth. You may be referred to an Orthodontist to address:

• Crowded teeth: teeth that do not have the appropriate room to stand straight can be spaced and moved
• Misaligned teeth: upper and lower teeth that are properly aligned fit into one another
• Overbite, Underbite, Open bite (where the back teeth meet but the front teeth do not overlap at all), Crossbite (where the teeth tilt in towards the tongue too much), Overjet(protrusion of the anterior teeth)

Your Orthodontist will correct tooth alignment which, if left unaddressed, can cause a number of different problems. Recurrent decay is common in overcrowded teeth and patients may develop a clenching and grinding problem called bruxism.

Orthodontists can also help treat a patient with temporomandibular problems which are commonly referred to as TMJ. Any jaw issues you may experience should be addressed by your general dentist first so that they can determine which dental specialist would be best for your individual case.

Dentists and Orthodontists will work together if a patient needs extensive treatment. A lot of times, orthodontics is needed to prepare teeth for restorative work, for example, before an implant can be properly placed. If you are looking for a complete smile makeover, orthodontics may be the first step in your treatment plan. For instance, crooked or overly crowded teeth and bite issues should be fixed before the placement of veneers.

More About Orthodontists : How Do Orthodontic Treatments Work?