Orthodontists and dentists both play essential roles in oral health, but they specialise in different aspects of dental care. Here’s how they differ:
1. Education and Training
- Dentist: A dentist completes a general dental degree, typically taking 5 years. They are trained in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral diseases, focusing on teeth, gums, and mouth care.
- Orthodontist: An orthodontist first completes a dental degree and then undergoes an additional 3 years of full-time specialised training in orthodontics. This advanced training focuses on diagnosing and treating dental and facial irregularities, particularly related to the alignment of teeth and jaws.
2. Scope of Practice
- Dentist: General dentists provide a wide range of dental services, including routine check-ups, fillings, cleanings, extractions, crowns, bridges, and preventive care. They manage overall oral health and treat a variety of dental issues.
- Orthodontist: Orthodontists specialise in correcting misaligned teeth and jaws. They focus on treatments like braces, clear aligners (e.g., Invisalign), retainers, and other appliances that straighten teeth, correct bites, and improve overall dental alignment.
3. Treatment Focus
- Dentist: The primary focus is on overall oral health, which includes treating cavities, gum disease, and other common dental problems. They also perform cosmetic procedures like whitening and veneers.
- Orthodontist: Orthodontists focus on the alignment of teeth and jaws, treating issues like overcrowding, gaps, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and other malocclusions.
4. Complex Cases
- Dentist: While dentists can handle basic orthodontic treatments, they generally refer more complex cases to orthodontists. They focus on maintaining oral health and addressing general dental issues.
- Orthodontist: Orthodontists handle more complex cases involving significant misalignment, bite problems, and facial growth issues. They are equipped with the expertise and tools to manage these specialized treatments.
5. Use of Orthodontic Appliances
- Dentist: Some general dentists offer orthodontic services like Invisalign or basic braces, but their range and expertise in these areas are generally limited.
- Orthodontist: Orthodontists are experts in all types of orthodontic appliances, including traditional braces, lingual braces, clear aligners, expanders, and retainers, and are trained to customize and manage these treatments for optimal results.
6. Collaboration
- Dentist: Dentists often work in collaboration with orthodontists. For example, a dentist may refer a patient to an orthodontist for alignment issues or work together to prepare a patient for orthodontic treatment.
- Orthodontist: Orthodontists may collaborate with general dentists to ensure comprehensive care. They might require a patient to have certain dental issues, like cavities or gum disease, addressed by a dentist before starting orthodontic treatment.
Summary
- Dentist: Focuses on overall oral health, treating a variety of dental issues and performing general dental procedures.
- Orthodontist: Specialises in aligning teeth and jaws, using advanced training to treat complex orthodontic issues.
Did you know?
If your primary concern is tooth alignment or bite correction, an orthodontist is the specialist you should consult. For general oral health and routine dental care, a dentist is the go-to professional.
