Dentist vs Orthodontist – Differences that You Need to Know

Do you know what is the difference between a dentist and orthodontist?

Dentist vs Orthodontist

Orthodontists and dentists help people in different ways to keep their good oral health. Dentistry is a great medical line that serves with the teeth, gum, nerves, and jaw. Orthodontics is a work in dentistry that concentrates on the straightness of teeth, improving bite and occlusion. One basic difference is that orthodontist is a licensed dentist, but all dentists are not licensed, orthodontists. If you are finding the right answer, then you are in the best way, don’t worry, here you will get the correct answer with the best information about the difference between dentist and orthodontist.

What Is An Orthodontist?

An orthodontist is a licensed dentist who expert in the correction of dental defects like overbite, underbite, crooked teeth, and crowded teeth.

To become an orthodontist, a dentist needs to complete a further two years of coursework that’s particular to the profession of orthodontics.

An orthodontist examines your bite to find the best solution for you, like braces. When a dentist feels that additional oral care is required behind the field of dentistry, then he or she refers people to a specialist orthodontist.

Regular orthodontic problems like crooked and crowded teeth look not only bad but also cause severe difficulties such as headaches, lockjaw, and speech difficulties.

The American Association of Orthodontics suggests that bring your children for an orthodontic check-up before 7 years of age because orthodontist will find the problem and give the solution and guidance.

What Is A  Dentist?

Dentistry is a great medical line that concentrates on the health of the teeth, gums, jaw, and mouth. A dentist can treat oral health problems and diseases such as tooth decay, cavities, and gum diseases. It is good to visit a dentist two times a year for good oral health.

You can visit one time for teeth cleaning and the next time for teeth cleaning and X-rays of your mouth and jaw to find any possible problems.

What’s The Difference Between Orthodontist And Dentist?

A dentist and an orthodontist both need a bachelor’s degree and then apply and accepted in a dental institution. After that, they need to complete a four-year doctoral course to become a dentist. During the education, they can start practicing dentistry. If a dentist wants to become a specialist orthodontic, they need to apply and accepted in an orthodontic residency.

Orthodontics specialty residency is very competitive and accepts 2-4 candidates only in a year. So only the most brilliant and most special dentists are accepted. There they must complete two to three years of coursework in orthodontics at a university approved by the American Dental Association. 

The course of study concentrates on the improvement of dental problems such as poor bites, crooked, crowded teeth, facial enhancement, improvement of skeletal flaws. It is must for both dentists and orthodontist get broad education before starting their profession. 

A dentist needs to complete 8 years of higher education, and an orthodontist need to complete 10 or 11 years of education to become a specialist. Another big difference is that an orthodontist, being a specialist in their profession, must limit their work to orthodontics. In the result, your orthodontist is best to treat your orthodontic problems.

All orthodontists are dentists, but some dentists complete extra 2-3 years of certified orthodontic specialty course to become an orthodontist. This course is must to become a specialist in orthodontics. An orthodontist is expert in straightening teeth and jaws, while dentists help people to get a cleaner, healthier smile by cleanings, X-rays, and also by surgery.

Dental Treatment

These are some dental treatments treat by a dentist:

  • Crowns
  • Bridges
  • Veneers
  • Root canals
  • Gum disease
  • Tooth decay
  • Teeth whitening

Orthodontic  Treatment

These are some orthodontic treatments treated by specialist orthodontist:

  • Overbite
  • Underbite
  • Crowded teeth
  • Misaligned teeth

How Are They Similar?

The leading similarity between a dentist and orthodontist is that both concentrate on oral care. An orthodontist operates in a dental office and gives the same attention as a dentist. So in this regard, they are very similar. They both are doctors and treat teeth and gums problems.

Summary

To become an orthodontist, a dentist needs to complete a further two years of coursework that’s particular to the profession of orthodontics. Dentistry is a great medical line that concentrates on the health of the teeth, gums, jaw, and mouth. 

A dentist and an orthodontist both need a bachelor’s degree and then apply and accepted in a dental institution. It is must for both dentists and orthodontist get broad education before starting their profession. All orthodontists are dentists, but some dentists complete extra 2-3 years of certified orthodontic specialty course to become an orthodontist.

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Jenny Harrison

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