People often wonder about the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist. Both attend school to learn about teeth, jaws, bites, and how they all work together. Both have earned degrees in dental medicine. It’s after school that the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist emerges.
What Is an Orthodontist?
What is an orthodontist? What’s the difference between a dentist vs. an orthodontist? Wilson & Hendrickson Orthodontists has two doctors of orthodontics. What does that mean?
An orthodontist starts as a dentist and completes the same dental studies as a dentist. But, an orthodontist continues their education with specialized training on how to move teeth safely and effectively.
What does an orthodontist do compared to a dentist? An orthodontist focuses on correcting your bite, straightening your teeth, and solving other jaw problems, such as a narrow palate or breaking a thumbsucking habit.
Is an orthodontist a dentist? Yes, because they have the same training as a dentist. But is a dentist an orthodontist? No, because a dentist doesn’t have the extra training needed to become an orthodontist.
What Does a Dentist Do?
What does a dentist do vs. an orthodontist? A dentist oversees the general health of a person’s mouth, specifically their teeth. A dentist is the one who cleans your teeth every six months. Dentists can also repair cavities or broken teeth. They can even help treat gum disease.
Your dentist will give you a thorough examination with each visit. This can include dental X-rays or digital images that can spot problems with your teeth and teeth roots, gums, and jawbones. Dentists can make repairs such as cavity fillings and the removal of tartar buildup.
Other Types of Dentistry
There are different types of dentistry, such as general dentistry, which includes cleanings; pediatric dentistry, which focuses on children’s teeth; cosmetic dentistry, which restores or upgrades the looks of teeth with whitening treatments or veneers; and restorative dentistry, which includes repairs tooth damage with crowns or dental implants.
The difference between the different types of dentistry is similar to the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist. Those who go into specialty dentistry fields usually have added and more specialized training in those areas.
Orthodontist vs Dentist
Patients have asked us when it’s appropriate to see a dentist vs. an orthodontist. Now that you have the orthodontist definition, you probably can figure out which doctor is best for which situation, but let’s take you through a few examples.
You should see your dentist every six months for an examination and professional cleaning. This is important to keep your teeth, gums, and jaws healthy. Dentists can repair issues like cavities. Dentists can also spot issues before they escalate, such as tooth infections or a need to repair the bite.
An orthodontist can repair your bite, whether it’s recommended by your dentist or whether they find issues during an initial consultation. You should see an orthodontist by age 7, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. Your dentist may also recommend you see us if they spot a problem that needs repair.
Your dentist and orthodontist will work together to ensure your treatment is done safely and effectively.
What Can an Orthodontist Do?
What happens if your dentist recommends you see an orthodontist? Chances are they’ve spotted a problem with your teeth or your bite that needs repair. If you need an orthodontist in Topeka, KS, Wilson and Hendrickson Orthodontics can help!
What do we mean by “repair your bite?” Your teeth are designed to work best when they’re perfectly aligned. Misaligned teeth can make it more difficult to bite and chew your food. It can also cause headaches, neck aches, jaw pain, speech problems and even snoring and sleep apnea.
Dental problems worsen over time, which is why it’s important to fix your bite as soon as possible. However, adults can get orthodontic treatment, too. It’s never too late to fix a bad bite!
How an Orthodontist Can Help
An orthodontist can repair your bite with treatment using braces or Invisalign clear aligners. Your orthodontist can use different types of braces to repair your bite. Wilson and Hendrickson Orthodontics offers Advanced metal braces and clear braces in Topeka, KS. We also offer Invisalign treatment for Topeka, KS, patients.
These treatments do more than straighten crooked teeth. They can also fix misaligned bites, such as overbites, underbites, crossbites, and deep bites.
Your orthodontist will work with your dentist to ensure your teeth stay healthy during your treatment. Even though you’ll be visiting regularly with your orthodontist, we will still want you to visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. If you get a cavity, we coordinate with your dentist to pause your orthodontic treatment while they repair your tooth.
Dentist and Orthodontist: You Need Both!
You may think you don’t need a dentist if you see an orthodontist or vice versa, but that’s not the case. A dentist and an orthodontist have different specialties and different tasks they perform, but their goals are the same — to ensure you have healthy teeth and gums and a beautiful smile!
If you need an orthodontist in Topeka, KS, schedule an appointment with Wilson and Hendrickson Orthodontics. We’ll be happy to work with your dentist during your braces or Invisalign treatment.
