A perfect smile is the epitome of good health and it’s no doubt true that oral health plays an important part in the well-being of the tooth. In this article, we will discuss the key differences between orthodontist vs dentist both play a significant role in maintaining your teeth.
One of your most valuable assets should be your smile. Teeth that are crooked or misaligned are difficult to clean and maintain. If your tooth condition is not treated, it can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and eventual tooth loss. Teeth straightening is now one of the many services provided by many dentists. While a general dentist may be able to treat some types of tooth misalignment, it is often wise to seek the advice of a trained orthodontist.
To understand the key difference between them both, let’s discuss dentist vs orthodontist one by one.
Dentist:
Dentists are doctors who care for our oral health and hygiene. They perform routine checkups and cleanings while looking for signs of cavities and gum disease. Many dentists also perform surgical procedures like tooth extractions and root canals. People always remain confused to differentiate between orthodontist vs dentist.
Orthodontists:
Orthodontists, on the other hand, is a derivative of the Greek word orthos, which means “straight.” This form of the dental profession is associated with keeping or straightening teeth. Over or underbites, misaligned jaws, tooth irregularity, and the close relationship between jaw shape and position and tooth alignment are all examples of this. The placement of braces on the teeth of growing children to correct their alignment is one of the most common works of an orthodontist.
When it comes to the education of dentists and orthodontists, they both receive somehow the same education. The major fact in orthodontist vs dentist is that an orthodontist requires some educational certification as an addon before they enter the practice.
On the other side, dentists enroll in pre-dentistry colleges before they graduate from the school of dentistry. Holistically when comes to the point that is an orthodontist a doctor?
Dentists have specialization in oral well-being and maintaining health such as taking care of your teeth, hums, and nerves present in your mouth and jaws. Contrary to this, Orthodontist is a specialization within the field of dentistry that is associated with the correction of your bite, your teeth alignment and them meeting together.
It is important to understand that all orthodontist comes under the category of a qualified dentist however, not all dentists qualify as orthodontists.
Key similarity: orthodontist vs dentist
The key resemblance between the dentist and the orthodontist is that both work in the dental office. And If you have ever wondered if that is an orthodontist or a doctor, then the answer is Yes. Both of them are considered doctors and are responsible for maintaining the health of your teeth.
A dentist and an orthodontist also resemble this aspect in that they both focus on maintaining oral care. An orthodontist can work in a dental care office and provide the same consultation as a dentist. So in this respect, they are quite similar. Many people find themselves confused in deciding dentist vs orthodontist for braces.
Whom should you visit and when?
To resolve the ‘orthodontist vs dentist which is better’ situation, let us understand the area of specialization for both the Orthodontist and the dentist.
Dentists typically promote good oral hygiene and offer services such as:
- Teeth Decay
- Root canal therapy
- Periodontal disease
- Crowns
- Bridges
- Veneers
- Whitening of the teeth
Orthodontists are specialized in tooth alignment and offer services such as:
- Teeth that are misaligned
- Teeth crowding
- Overbite
- Underbite
By understanding the specialization for each of them, it is easy to assimilate whom to visit orthodontist vs dentist for braces? Then you know exactly whom to visit.
Conclusion:
A smile is your valuable asset which should be cherished and taken care of all the time. Teeth that are crooked or misaligned are difficult to clean and maintain. If your tooth condition is not treated, it can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and eventual tooth loss. So when it comes to orthodontist vs dentist a general dentist may be able to treat some types of tooth misalignment, but it is often wise to seek the advice of a trained orthodontist.
