Caring for your teeth is an extensive process. If you’re not on top of your oral hygiene, you risk infections and diseases that are painful to experience. This is why it is vital that you have a good oral routine and frequently visit your doctor to ensure your teeth are in good shape, but the question arises who do you see?
Dentistry is a broad profession. Different specialists deal with various dental problems. For instance, if you’re dealing with a cavity, you may need to see a dentist, but if you have crowded teeth, you need an orthodontist. So, how do you know which expert to pick and what makes them unique to their fields?
On the surface, it may seem like a dentist and an orthodontist are the same, but that’s not the case. Therefore, read the article to learn who these professionals are and what they do.
What Does An Orthodontist Do?
Orthodontists are dentists who specialize in teeth and jaw alignment. While these dentists can diagnose impacted teeth or cavities, their primary focus is ensuring your teeth and jaw are in their correct position. You should see an orthodontist if you struggle with an under-bite, crooked or rotated teeth, and need braces, palate expanders, or retainers.
Over 4 million people in the US wear braces, and more than 20% are adults. States like Alabama have also started paying more attention to regular dental visits. In 2020, more than 60% of people in Alabama between 18 and 44 had dental visits. If you live here and have issues with teeth alignment, you can look up an Orthodontist in Alabama and choose from the suggested ones to get it fixed.
In case you have any other dental problem and go to an orthodontist, they will inspect the condition of your teeth and inform you of the issue. They will not do fillings and crowns and may refer you to a dentist to resolve these issues.
What Does A Dentist Do?
Dentists are doctors of oral health. These experts treat all diseases and conditions related to your teeth. Dentists cannot fix your jaw or align your teeth, though they can help you treat your gums, tongue, and mouth. At the same time, they can also clean your teeth and remove plaque or tartar buildup.
Hence, if you want a tooth extraction, need your cavities filled, or get your teeth whitened, you need to see a dentist. Likewise, if you need crowns, veneers or repair a cracked tooth, you will need a dentist to look after you. These experts can also perform oral surgery, such as root canals, and prescribe you medication to treat gum diseases.
How Do Orthodontists and Dentists Differ In Training and Qualifications
It takes roughly eight years to become a dentist. The first four years go into earning a bachelor’s degree in dentistry. Afterward, a prospective dentist must apply to grad school and earn a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine). When prospective dentists are in dental school, they will receive extensive training to prepare them for their field. This involves two years of classroom and lab training, after which a dentist will spend the remaining two tears of dental school working with patients under the supervision of a licensed dentist. Once they complete their education, prospective dentists must pass the National Dental Examination to earn their license and start their practice.
On the other hand, it takes about ten to eleven years to become an orthodontist. These experts undergo the same training as dentists. However, once they pass the certification test, to become an orthodontist, prospective applicants have to attend an orthodontic residency program. It takes them about three years to earn their specialization. This means a prospective orthodontist will need to invest three more years in specializing after eight years of dental school post earning a DDS or DMD.
Who Should You Visit?
If you are dealing with tooth pain, need an extraction, or get your chipped tooth fixed, you need a dentist. These experts also treat gum diseases and oral infections. But, if you have tooth crowding, jaw malocclusion, or gaps in your teeth, you need an orthodontist.
Additionally, since orthodontics is specialized, you may need to contact your insurance to determine if your dental coverage includes orthodontic treatments. This is because this branch of dentistry is viewed as a separate entity; without a referral from your dentist, you may need to pay for an orthodontist out of pocket.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of your teeth is hard work. You have to worry about numerous things that can impact your oral health, but with a reliable dentist, you can easily manage that. Let’s start by narrowing down your need for help.
If you have a tooth infection, inflamed gums, or need surgery, go to the dentist. And if you are dealing with teeth crowding, a misaligned jaw, or gaps, you need an orthodontist.
While both experts come under the umbrella of dentistry, their areas of expertise differ significantly. Most dentists perform general dental procedures. Likewise, orthodontists are specialists that work with fixing your teeth and working with dental appliances.
We hope the article helped you understand the primary jobs of both professionals and who to go to when making an appointment for dental problems.
Comments are closed.