It’s quite common to think that orthodontists and dentists share the same expertise especially when they both care for our healthy smiles. It’s surprising to know that each of them performs different procedures to care for our teeth and overall oral health. Learning the difference between the two can help you save time and money as well as receive the care you need for your smile.
Quick Summary:
- A dentist and orthodontist each have their own way of caring for your smile.
- An orthodontist focuses on your bite, occlusion, jaw alignment, and straightness of teeth.
- Dentists primarily check for oral health conditions in your teeth, gums, and mouth. They can also offer recommendations for basic orthodontic treatments.
What is a Dentist?
Dentists are the frontline of good oral health.1 They are doctors who diagnose and treat oral health conditions that involve the teeth, gums, and mouth. They treat oral health issues with a variety of treatments such as dental fillings, crowns, and bridges.2 Visiting your dentist for routine check ups and cleanings can help upkeep a healthy smile.
What is an Orthodontist?
An orthodontist specialises in diagnosing, preventing, and treating teeth and jaw irregularities.3 While mostly associated with treatments such as braces, retainers, or clear aligners, an orthodontist specialises in identifying and correcting teeth and jaw irregularities for all ages. They ensure that you can eat, chew, and speak properly.4
Dentist and Orthodontist Expertise
Dentist
- A dentist primarily treats oral health conditions that involve the teeth, gums, and mouth.
- Dentists teach us about good dental hygiene and perform treatments such as cleaning, treating cavities, repairing or removing damaged teeth, as well as checking the growth of teeth and jaw bones.5
- A dentist can also make recommendations and perform basic orthodontic procedures.
Orthodontist
- An orthodontist specialises in treating teeth and jaw irregularities such as a misaligned jaw, overbites, underbites, and misaligned teeth.
- Orthodontists correct teeth and jaw irregularities with braces, retainers, and clear aligners.
When to Choose an Orthodontist?
Orthodontists specialise in straightening teeth, diagnosing and treating irregularities of the teeth, face, and jaw. They provide a different level of expertise because of their additional years of education and experience they have to specialise in these treatments.8
Urban Smile orthodontists are one of the highest tier of clear aligner providers and some of the first to start clear aligner treatment with over 5,000 cases completed in Australia. We have provided quality orthodontic treatment for adults and teens in Melbourne. If you’re considering clear aligners, book a consultation with Urban Smile to get a plan developed by an expert Melbourne orthodontist.
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FAQs
While some people choose dentists for clear aligner or braces treatments, orthodontists can offer specialised insights in straightening teeth because of their expertise in diagnosing and treating teeth and jaw irregularities. They can also recognise issues such as gum and tooth health which may require treatment before starting treatments like clear aligners.
An orthodontist usually focuses on non-surgical treatments to realign a patient’s dental structures.8 However, they may recommend surgery such as having your wisdom teeth removed to having your jaw surgery should you find yourself with a large jaw discrepancy that orthodontic treatments are unable to correct alone.9
Yes, an orthodontist is required to be a dentist first.7 Outside of a degree and professional dental school, a qualified orthodontist must have undergone an additional 3 years of specialist training6 and receive state licensing and board certification to ensure you and your family receive the highest standard of care.6
If you’re considering treatment like braces, retainers, or clear aligners, seeing an orthodontist would be ideal to know what’s best for your teeth or jaw alignment issues. An orthodontist is qualified to identify any oral or dental issues and may refer you to see a dentist for treatment prior to your teeth or jaw alignment.6
Orthodontists and Dentists Care for Smiles in Their Own Way
Dentists and orthodontists care for your oral health in their own way.
A dentist specialises in treating oral health conditions for your teeth, gums, and mouth. In doing so, they focus on teaching us good dental hygiene as well as offer treatments in cleaning, repairing, removing teeth and checking teeth and jaw growth.
An orthodontist offers expertise in diagnosing and treating teeth and jaw irregularities (such as a misaligned jaw, overbites, underbites, and misaligned teeth) with treatments like braces, retainers, and clear aligners.
Dentists and orthodontists offer their own expertise, but they work together in making sure you and your family get the best treatment for your smile.
If you’re curious to know more about clear aligners, book a consultation with Urban Smile Orthodontics.
References:
- www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/dental-team/roles-dental-team/dentist
- www.my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24448-dentist
- www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-an-orthodontist
- www.aosmiles.com/what-is-an-orthodontist-and-what-do-they-treat/
- www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-a-dentist
- www.theorthodontists.com.au/blog/choosing-an-orthodontist-vs-dentist-for-orthodontics
- www.nirvandental.com/blog/the-difference-between-dentists-orthodontists
- www.markhamorthodontics.com/your-sacramento-ortho-explains-the-difference-between-oral-surgeons-and-orthodontists
- www.norwestortho.com.au/does-an-orthodontist-do-surgery