Dentist vs. Orthodontist: What Are the Differences?

Orthodontists and dentists have the ability, knowledge, and experience to take care of your dental health. However, they do so in very different ways. If you need help choosing a dentist but may think that an orthodontist may also be necessary, you’re not alone.

With 80 percent of teenagers seeing an orthodontist in 2015 and options for clear aligners, this percentage isn’t far off from the number of adults seeing them.

Keep reading to learn what the difference is between a dentist vs. orthodontist so that you can make the best choice for your dental health!

What is an Orthodontist?

Orthodontists are experts when it comes to oral health, but they specialize in teeth and jaw alignment. Although they can diagnose and help treat oral conditions, their main job is to ensure that your bite, teeth, and jaw are aligned correctly.

This is because orthodontists are licensed dentists who also take two years of additional coursework for the field of orthodontics. Here are some of the duties that orthodontists perform:

• Supervise the facial growth of children
• Create treatment plans for braces and retainers
• Install dental appliances
• Perform teeth-related surgeries
• Treat misaligned teeth and jaws

Keep in mind that not everything an orthodontist does is strictly for the improved appearance of your smile. For instance, they can help with the treatment of TMD by helping to align your bite and diagnose problems with your jaw.

They can also help with speech impediments, lockjaw, diminished bone density, and more.

Do You Need an Orthodontist?

Now that you know what an orthodontist does, you may be wondering whether one is necessary. Here’s our quick orthodontist guide to help you determine if you should find one in your area:

You Don’t Feel Confident Smiling

Orthodontists can help align your teeth and improve your bite so that you can feel more comfortable with your smile again. They’ll also go over several treatment plans so that you can decide what works best with your lifestyle and budget.

You Struggle to Articulate or Chew

If you have trouble articulating your sentences or have trouble chewing, there may be several dental reasons why this is the case. An orthodontist can help you determine if malocclusion is the cause and work with you to find comfortable solutions.

You Suffer From Sleep Apnea

Keep in mind that while orthodontists can’t diagnose sleep apnea on their own, they may be able to help you find relief. This is because your physician may find that changing the position of your teeth may give positive results.

Orthodontists can also supply you with devices that keep your jaw in a comfortable position at night.

What is a Dentist?

Now that you know everything an orthodontist can do, how is a dentist different? Dentistry is a much broader medical field that involves everything having to do with your teeth, mouth, jaw, and gums.

Dentists go to dental school after undergrad and then complete a four-year doctoral problem. After graduation, they then become practicing general dentists.

When you go to the dentist, hygienists will clean your teeth, so they’re less prone to cavities, tooth decay, and erosion of your enamel. Dentists will treat and diagnose the majority of oral health conditions you’re suffering from, such as:

• Filling cavities
• Extracting teeth
• Bonding teeth
• Conducting and interpreting dental x-rays
• Repairing cracked teeth
• Installing crowns or veneers
• Helping children’s teeth develop
• And even more

If you’re wondering whether you need to go to the dentist, the answer is yes! Most dentists recommend that you come in once every six months. This is because simply brushing and flossing your teeth every day isn’t enough to keep them sparkling clean.

Over team, plaque and tartar can build up in your mouth, making your teeth more prone to decay. Hygienists scrape the tartar away and apply a fluoride treatment so that your teeth are more protected.

When Do You Need to See a Dentist?

If you haven’t been to the dentist in a long amount of time (over a year), it’s important to schedule an appointment as soon as possible–even if you aren’t in pain. This is because the more you see your dentist, the less likely you are to suffer from more serious dental health issues that take more money and time to heal.

If you’re expecting or have children, they need to see the dentist with six months of their first tooth coming in. Through a quick exam, your dentist can become your partner in dental health, ensuring that your child’s growth and development are on track.

Baby teeth are also more prone to cavities than adult teeth, so cleaning and polishing them is just as important. Your dentist can also help you when it comes to motivating your child to brush their teeth every day. They’ll teeth them about the necessities of dental health and make the whole process fun.

Dentist vs. Orthodontist: Schedule Your Appointment Today

When it comes to seeing a dentist or an orthodontist, it all starts with a simple phone call. Any reputable dental health professional won’t force you to endure unnecessary or invasive treatments unless there’s a good reason. If you feel as if you’re being pushed into procedures that you don’t understand, this is a red flag to find a different dental office.

Keep in mind that if you’re not sure that you need a dentist vs. orthodontist but want to improve your smile, most offer a free consultation. They’ll take a look at your teeth alignment and bite and provide recommendations from there.

Ready to learn more about keeping your health in top shape? Keep reading the blog for more dentist tips!