Dentist and Orthodontist - Learn the Difference

Dentists and orthodontists are two different things. If you think that your dentist is also an orthodontist, then you may be wrong. As both of the professions deal with oral health, they are commonly mistaken as the same. But the truth is they are not. A dentist may offer some orthodontist services and you may feel that he/she is an orthodontist. But the truth is one doesn’t become an orthodontist by simply offering the services of aligners or braces on teeth.

By knowing the kind of services they specialize in, you can select the right person to treat your oral problem. Many clinics offer all the services, but they have special dentists dealing within their specialty. Many clinics with a cosmetic dentist in Bridgeport also have professional orthodontists that offer orthodontic services.

To make things easy for you we’ve listed out the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist and when you should visit them.

Dentist vs Orthodontist: The Difference:

Dentists that study general dentistry are usually concerned with overall oral health. They treat damaged teeth, replace failed teeth, and treat other oral health problems. They offer services such as veneers, crowns, bonding, treating the misshapen or broken or decayed tooth.

Whereas orthodontists receive the same training as a dentist, but they get additional education and specialize in treating and diagnosing misalignment of the teeth and jaw. Orthodontists and dentists have the same educational background but orthodontists get further training in their specialty.

There are certain areas of dentistry that have educational programs beyond the dental education. An orthodontist is one such specialty. Orthodontist courses go beyond general dental training and have a more focused area of specialty.

What Different Services Do They Provide?

A dentist treats a patient’s overall oral health. Dentists spot and treat oral health conditions of your gums, teeth, tongue, and mouth. They treat cavities, gum disease, and other oral hygiene problems. Dentists improve the function and the appearance of the teeth by applying veneers, crowns, and bonding to teeth that are chipped, broken, or damaged. 
 
An orthodontist specializes in aligning the teeth and jaws. What it means is that orthodontists offer services to correct and treat crowded teeth, gaps between the teeth that stick out, and jaws that don’t align properly. Alignment problems are unique and different to each patient and the best orthodontist in Bridgeport uses x-rays to provide individualized treatment to patients.

When to Visit a Dentist or an Orthodontist?

The services that each of these professionals offers might overlap in some cases where dentists are permitted to provide some orthodontic treatments such as braces along with the general dental services. However, orthodontists usually offer services that are within their specialty. While many dentists might advertise offering orthodontic treatments but only a dentist that has undergone the proper education and training can be called an orthodontist.

To illustrate think of your dentist as a general practitioner while orthodontist as a specialist. Tooth decay, pain, extraction, gum disease, an oral infection can be treated by a dentist. For the services of tooth crowding, jaw malocclusion, palate expansion, etc. you have to contact an orthodontist.

If you suspect a crooked tooth or jawline that needs an alignment then you can contact an orthodontist. There are some clinics that offer the best orthodontic treatment in Bridgeport with professional care.

To conclude both dentists and orthodontists receive proper education and training in treating the oral health conditions. There are some things that orthodontists are permitted to do that dentists aren’t. Hence, if you face any dental problem it is advisable to choose the right person that can treat your condition.