Straightening Out the Difference between Dentist and Orthodontist for Braces

Posted by Bestow on June 3rd, 2014

If you need braces, you’re probably wondering whether you should go to a dentist or orthodontist. Both dentists and orthodontists are doctors who have gone through dental school and deal with teeth on a daily basis. So what’s the difference and who should you see? Like many other professional fields such as medicine, engineering, and law, dentistry is a very complex field with many subspecialties.

Some dentists specialize in pediatric dentistry and see mainly young children. Others focus on the supporting structures of teeth such as the gum, bones and ligaments around the teeth and are called periodontist. Dentists who perform complex root canal procedures are called endodontists. The dental subspecialties require anywhere from 1-3 additional years of training beyond the usual 4 years of dental school. Orthodontists undergo 2-3 years of additional subspecialty training beyond dental school.

Orthodontics subspecialty is one of the most competitive dental subspecialty to enter since only about 50% of those who apply to an orthodontics training program are actually accepted. Many dentists are general dentists who begin to practice dentistry after completing dental school. General dentists provide dental care ranging from filling tooth decay to cleaning teeth to fitting veneers and crowns. Some general dentists may take additional courses in orthodontics but do not undergo the additional 2-3 years of formal training at an accredited orthodontics training program. General dentist may practice orthodontics but are not orthodontists.

Only dentists who have completed the additional years of training specifically to treat, diagnose, and prevent malocclusion (misalignment) of the teeth, jaw, and surround dental structures can be call orthodontists. Orthodontists can treat patients with orthodontics problems across all age groups, from elementary school children to older adults. There is no subspecialty for pediatric orthodontics. If you have an invaluable invention that you want to protect in the marketplace, you would want to seek the service of a patent attorney rather than a civil rights lawyer.

Similarly when it comes to something as important as braces for you or your loved ones, your best bet is to see an orthodontist who is specially trained to diagnose and treat your dental misalignment problems. This is especially important should there be any unexpected issues or complications that may arise during your treatment course.