They both help with oral health, but what are the differences between orthodontists and dentists? Which should you see? In what areas do they specialise?
Table of Contents
Education
The first area in which orthodontists and dentists differ is in the education required to enter the field. In most countries, orthodontists require more education, and this can include up to three years of university. As well as a dental degree, they spend more time studying the intricacies of oral health.
Services
Ultimately, there are similarities between this comparison and the comparison of doctors and surgeons. While a doctor helps across a wide range of problems, they refer to surgeons for specific problems. Similarly, dentists look after general oral health and then refer to orthodontists when an issue requires expert help.
In particular, the best orthodontist bondi junction has to claim, will normally have one aim – to straighten the teeth of patients. As a patient, the experience starts with a dentist. While a dentist can help with fillings, tooth removal, and other small problems, they refer to an orthodontist for teeth straightening.
While some dentists have orthodontists in the same building, others refer you to another practice entirely. Here, the orthodontist will assess the condition of your teeth and come up with a treatment plan to make them straighter. As well as making teeth straighter, orthodontists also look at the bite of patients and make sure that this is correct.
Treatments
How does an orthodontist correct teeth alignment and bite? Normally, it starts with an examination and this means biting into a soft mixture so that the professional has an impression of your teeth. Additionally, they may carry out panoramic x-rays to get a better view of the overall alignment. From here, they will look over the results and suggest a treatment method.
Typically, orthodontists suggest braces to fix teeth alignment. Although this is normally in children, braces are also used for adults who have misaligned teeth. Braces are used to fix the following:
- Crowded teeth
- Wonky teeth
- Protruding teeth
- Bite issues
At the end of the treatment plan, patients should have straight teeth and the front/back teeth should meet nicely. Depending on the individual, you may have two or four teeth removed at the start to make room for straightening.
Despite popular belief, you don’t need to be referred by a dentist to see an orthodontist. Most orthodontists take appointments with new patients if there’s something you want to discuss with them.
Licenses
You might have noticed basic orthodontic services from your dentist, and this is an interesting point. Though dentists can offer some orthodontic services, they are limited because the Dental Board of Australia closely monitors this field. Only those registered with the Dental Board can call themselves ‘Orthodontists’.
Dentists without this specialist title haven’t done the extra three years at university and don’t have the same experience or training. Therefore, even if a dentist does offer services illegally, you’ll probably want to steer clear anyway.
Often, dentists and orthodontists work together. Therefore, the dentist always refers patients to the same orthodontist and the orthodontist does the same. With two services working together, they share patients, and the patients get the best service possible.
For any parents reading this, it’s best to take your child to see the orthodontist once they hit seven years of age. The orthodontist will keep an eye on their teeth and create a treatment plan as soon as they spot an issue. It’s easier to shape the jaw of children at a younger age to accommodate all teeth.