Introduction
For many people, the thought of seeing a dentist or orthodontist is nothing short of terrifying. But here’s some good news: They’re not as scary as you might think! Both dentists and orthodontists are dedicated professionals who take great pride in offering their patients the very best in oral health care. So what’s the difference between these two types of dental professionals?
There are several types of orthodontic treatment, including:
- Braces: Braces are the most common form of orthodontic treatment. They are metal or plastic devices placed around your teeth that exert pressure to move them into the right position.
- Invisalign: Similar to braces, Invisalign aligners are clear plastic trays worn over your teeth for about two weeks at a time. As you change out the tray each time, you’ll see progress toward straightening your teeth!
- Clear aligners: This is an alternative to traditional braces that is also less noticeable and difficult to deal with than other options like Invisalign; it involves wearing a series of clear plastic trays that gradually move one tooth at a time into place over months or years depending on how severe your case may be (the more severe, the longer).
- Retainers: Retainers are used after orthodontic treatment has been completed (usually by an orthodontist) as well as during active treatment if one has been prescribed by an orthodontist; they keep teeth in place after they’ve been moved back into their correct positions during treatment so they don’t return out again – so this device is essential after getting braces removed!
Orthodontist
Orthodontists are dentists who specialize in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. They’re trained to treat patients with complex dental problems and disorders.
Orthodontists have four years of additional training beyond high school and earn a degree called a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). In addition to treating basic tooth decay, they can also diagnose more complicated issues such as jaw pain or missing teeth look at Bendigo orthodontics.
Teeth move into a more normal position, increasing the number of healthy teeth and reducing the severity of crowding.
Both dentists and orthodontists can correct your teeth. However, an orthodontist specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of malocclusions (jaw problems). In other words, they are trained to notice when something is not right with your smile or bite. They will then recommend a treatment plan that includes braces or retainers to help you achieve the smile you want.
For example: if your upper teeth are crooked, an orthodontist might use dental braces to move them into a more normal position. Once this has been achieved, they may also recommend that you wear retainers every night so that they don’t move back into their original crooked position again!
Dentist
Dental clinics are essential for maintaining good oral health. They provide a range of services from routine checkups to more complex procedures such as root canals and dental implants. Dentists use a variety of tools and techniques to diagnose, treat, and prevent dental diseases. They also offer advice on proper oral hygiene practices that can help patients keep their teeth and gums in the best condition possible. With the help of modern technology, dentists can detect problems early on and provide effective treatments that can save patients from painful experiences later on.
Dentists are trained to diagnose and treat dental problems. They can perform a variety of procedures, including cleanings, fillings, and crowns. Dentists who have also undergone orthodontic training can perform orthodontic procedures as well, such as braces (also known as “braces”).
Dentists can also be trained in root canal therapy or oral surgery—though these are not part of their basic training like they might be for an orthodontist.
Teeth moving in the opposite direction to correct a crossbite.
You may also hear the term “crossbite,” which refers to when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth. When this happens, it can cause problems with chewing, speech, and jaw growth. Orthodontic treatment is often needed to correct a crossbite. Braces are usually used for orthodontic treatment because they can create more space between your teeth to gently push them into place.
Teeth create a better-balanced bite.
If your bite is crooked, you may be able to correct it with orthodontic treatment. If your top teeth crowd the lower teeth, an orthodontist can move them into place. If your lower jaw is shorter than the upper jaw and requires extra space to fit properly, an orthodontist can expand the palate (or roof of the mouth) with braces or retainers.
Orthodontists also work on other types of malocclusions (mal-ok-sih-NAY-shuns), such as a crossbite where one side of a patient’s jaw is longer than another side; overbite issues where there is more gum tissue showing above their front teeth compared to below; underbite issues where there’s more gum tissue showing below their front teeth versus above; lateral misalignment issues that cause smile lines not aligned properly; open bites which cause food debris accumulation between back molars because they aren’t chewing properly together at meal time; rapid palatal expansion which stretches out soft tissues inside the mouth in order for them to accommodate larger adult molars later on during development stages as well as open bites caused by improper swallowing patterns due to dental phobias like fear all foods will fall out when eating—this fear triggers excessive tongue retraction causing food particles trapped between back molars instead of being swallowed normally into esophagus leading down into stomach where enzymes break down nutrients so they can be absorbed through intestinal lining allowing body cells access nutrients needed for survival.
Teeth leveling so your teeth fit together properly for speaking, eating, and smiling.
Teeth leveling is a common orthodontic treatment that’s used to correct an overbite or underbite. Teeth leveling can be done with braces, retainers, or both. The use of retainers varies depending on how severely your teeth are out of alignment and whether you have an overbite or underbite.
Braces are the most common way to achieve teeth leveling because they’re affordable and effective in creating proper jaw alignment. They also require less maintenance than other methods of correction like Invisalign (an alternative method that uses clear aligners instead of metal wires).
Missing teeth or treating an additional tooth as part of a correction.
Missing teeth can cause several problems with chewing, speaking, and overall oral health. The missing tooth is not just “gone,” after all—it’s a gap where food can get trapped and bacteria can grow. This can lead to cavities or gum disease if not treated properly.
Missing teeth are also associated with changes in facial structure and jawbone loss because those areas of your mouth take more pressure than normal when you chew without them. Dental implants are the best option for replacing missing teeth because they offer a permanent solution that will last for years without risk of decay or bone loss; however, bridges made from porcelain fused to metal (PFM) might be another option if you’re unable to afford dental implants but still want something more durable than dentures.
Correcting crooked or oversized bites or gaps between the teeth.
- Correcting crooked or oversized bites or gaps between the teeth. Braces can be used to correct bites and gaps, but not overbites, underbites, and crossbites. Orthodontists are trained in the use of braces to correct these types of problems, as well as in other orthodontic appliances like retainers (which may be used after braces have been removed).
- Treating jaw pain caused by tooth misalignment. If you suffer from TMJ (temporomandibular joint) syndrome—in which your jaw joints are tight and painful—an orthodontist with specialized training might be able to help relieve your symptoms with a dental appliance such as an occlusal guard.
- Adding extra spaces between teeth for aesthetic reasons. Dentists may suggest that you get braces if they think your smile could benefit from more space between certain teeth; however, they generally don’t recommend this treatment unless there’s a functional need for it—for example if one tooth is so large that it interferes with biting down on another tooth when chewing food.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I hope this article has helped you understand the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist. They both work hard to improve your smile and overall health, but each has different skills that make them unique. An orthodontist is a specialist who specializes in correcting or preventing tooth misalignments while dentists treat teeth as part of general dental care. If you’re looking for someone who can help with any type of orthodontic treatment then contact an orthodontist near me today!
