A dentist is a healthcare professional who specialises in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of oral diseases, disorders, and conditions. On the other hand, an orthodontist is a specialised dentist who focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of malocclusions or improper bites, tooth, and jaw alignment problems.
All Orthodontists are dentists but not all dentists are Orthodontists. Orthodontists are dentists that go through a thorough selection process and examination prior to undertaking a 3 year rigorous full time Post Graduate Degree.
While dentists provide routine dental care such as fillings, cleanings, and extractions, orthodontists specialise in correcting irregular teeth, jaw abnormalities, and bite problems. Orthodontists treat these conditions using a variety of devices, such as braces, aligners, temporary anchorage devices, specialised glued in appliances and retainers, to correct the alignment of teeth and jaws. In some instances Orthodontists collaborate with other specialists such as Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons to correct severe jaw disproportions.
A specialist orthodontist has completed extensive training and education beyond dental school, specifically in the field of orthodontics. They are experts in diagnosing and treating a wide variety of orthodontic issues, such as crooked teeth, overcrowding, and bite problems. Additionally, orthodontists use a variety of specialised tools and techniques to effectively and efficiently move teeth and create a straight, healthy smile.
They also carefully monitor their patients’ progress throughout treatment to ensure the best possible outcome. Seeing a specialist orthodontist can help ensure that you receive the highest quality orthodontic care and achieve the best possible results.
