Very few people have perfectly aligned teeth but desire a fantastic smile. The good news is that modern-day dentistry has advanced to such an extent that you can get well-set teeth and that smile you have always wanted. But can a regular dentist help you achieve this objective?
Well, not really. If you want to fix any significant dental regularities, you would need to go to an orthodontist. And yes, there are some major distinguishing points between dentists and orthodontists. Here we give you information about what an orthodontist is and how they can help you with getting the perfect smile you’ve always wanted.
What Is An Orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dental specialist trained in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of facial and dental irregularities. These specialists provide several different treatment options to align the jaws correctly, fix bad bites, and straighten crooked teeth.
An orthodontist first completes their dentistry degree, which spans five years. After that, they have to undergo specialized studies and training, which includes three years of full-time studies. This training is primarily in the field of orthodontics.Whether you are an adult wanting to fix minor misalignment in your teeth with clear aligners or need to get braces for your child, an orthodontist will help you get the best results.
While an orthodontist mainly specialize in straightening teeth, they have the expertise to help with many other treatments, including misaligned bites, or even teeth movement that is caused by habits such as thumb sucking in children. They can also help treat certain types of sleep apnea. If you feel that you want a better smile and have a misalignment in your teeth, you should consult an orthodontist to get your teeth assessed.
Differences between orthodontists and dentists
So that a patient can make informed decisions regarding their dental treatment, it’s crucial to be aware of some main differences between an orthodontist and dentist:
Dentists
- General dentists are similar to family GP medical doctors. These highly skilled general practitioners can diagnose & treat various common issues and problems that affect your teeth, gums, and mouth.
- They complete a General Dental Degree.
- Dentists have the training and expertise to handle all general dental care & maintenance for patients of all ages. They perform procedures such as porcelain veneers and crowns, tooth whitening, and other cosmetic dental treatments too.
- Unlike orthodontists, a dentist isn’t trained in fitting braces or even overseeing any other orthodontic treatments.
- In most cases, general dentists will refer patients requiring orthodontic care to an orthodontist.
Orthodontists
- They are registered dental specialists that have completed the additional three years of a full-time university course in orthodontics, biology and biomechanics, and facial growth, development.
- Orthodontists are dental development and facial growth experts.
- They are experts in all types of orthodontic care technologies and options for children, teens as well as adults.
Reasons to Visit an Experienced Orthodontist
You might want to make an appointment to correct misaligned teeth, reduce gaps in your teeth, or even get crooked teeth straightened. An orthodontist can also help with bite problems that tend to cause clicking or pain while chewing or misaligned jaws issues as well.
As mentioned earlier, your orthodontist might also be able to help in certain types of sleep apnea or to correct various issues caused by prolonged bad dental habits.Orthodontic treatment (including conventional braces &clear aligners like Invisalign) should typically be provided by a certified orthodontist.
These specialists have the expertise and training to correctly diagnose various orthodontic problems, monitor and assess your tooth movements, and also safeguard the overall health of your teeth.
