What is the Difference Between a Dentist and an Orthodontist?

by Neville Jones Dental Services

It often confuses people that whether there is any difference between a dentist and an orthodontist. While orthodontics is described as a specialty in dentistry that deals in diagnosing, preventing, and treating malpositioned teeth and jaws, a patient may find many professionals describing themselves as specialists of this field. However, a dentist can be an expert of multiple fields e.g. periodontics, pediatric dentistry, and a few more to name. They both provide different types of treatment and possess different qualifications and training.

What is an Orthodontist?

Somerset Orthodontics is a specialty in the dentistry that focuses on correcting malpositioned teeth and keeping the smile straight and aesthetically pleasing. Problems related to misaligned teeth often seen with children when they’re just growing up. You may have noticed one of neighbor’s child wearing braces or have to go through a wisdom tooth extraction. These are the treatments done by a dentist who is skilled in orthodontics.

Problems like crooked teeth, chipped teeth, incorrect bite, and tooth decay can be difficult to be fixed by the general or family dentists. When it left for days the problem can affect the dental pulp, gum tissues, and roots of the tooth that together can cause severe oral health. Taking good dental care is essential to keep cavities and periodontal diseases away.

Difference

The core difference between these two professionals is that an orthodontist can be called a dentist but a dentist not necessarily can be called an orthodontist. A general dentist who maintains high standards and possesses an adequate level of experience and training can perform treatment related to dental braces and involve in other orthodontic care. They both are expert of dental care Somerset and provide services in a professional clinic.

Treatments

Dentists typically encourage good oral hygiene and provide services that focus on good oral health.

Tooth decay
Root canals
Gum disease
Crowns
Bridges
Veneers
Teeth whitening

Orthodontists specialize in the alignment of teeth, improving the bite, and provide services related to:

Misaligned teeth
Crowded teeth
Overbite
Underbite
Spacing
Open Bite

Orthodontics Somerset NJ offers one or multiple types of methods to treat a single problem. For example, if you have misaligned teeth they can be fixed through metal braces or plastic aligners. Dentists use different appliances that can be permanent or removable to move and restore teeth into their perfect shape. Your dentist will determine one particular solution after examining your mouth, diagnosing the cause of the problem, and knowing about your dental history and lifestyle. Usually, orthodontic treatments take a good time to adjust teeth into appropriate position or to achieve desired results. Make sure you contact a competent dentist.