The Difference Between a Dentist and an Orthodontist

The Difference Between a Dentist and an Orthodontist
Posted on 11/27/2017
As your provider of braces, Invisalign, and other orthodontics in Lexington, SC, we at The Braces Place are proud to offer some of the most exceptional orthodontic care you’ll find in the area. It’s our goal to help you achieve a more beautiful smile through our efficient orthodontic treatments, we’re more than capable of doing that. While an orthodontist differs from a dentist in many ways, these differences may not always be clear to everyone as both can sometimes offer similar services.

The Main Differences

While both dentists and orthodontists help patients achieve healthier smiles, the way that they go about doing it differs. Dentists provide regular oral maintenance with teeth cleanings and dental exams to make sure that a patient’s mouth and teeth are healthy. Additionally, they can provide restorative dentistry treatments to fix problems, such as cavities and chipped teeth. They’re even able to offer cosmetic dentistry to make a patient’s teeth look better with treatments like teeth whitening and veneers.

On the other hand, an orthodontist offers orthodontic treatments to help give a patient a straighter smile and a healthier bite. By using methods such as Invisalign and braces, an orthodontist will be able to straighten a patient’s teeth over time and also fix any crooked teeth or bite problems, including overbites and underbites. Additionally, all orthodontists are actually qualified dentists as well. An orthodontist will have to undergo the same training that a dentist does, along with a few years of extra training in the field of orthodontics.

But that doesn’t mean that only orthodontists provide orthodontics as many dentists are now offering orthodontic treatment as well.

Why Choose an Orthodontist for Orthodontic Treatment? 

Nowadays, many general dentists are also offering orthodontic treatment, especially Invisalign as it’s a method that’s easier learned. However, general dentists can’t provide the same precision and expertise when it comes to fixing orthodontic problems. An orthodontist has the additional years of training in orthodontics that are needed to know exactly how to create a healthy mouth and bite. While a dentist may occasionally be able to straighten a patient’s teeth, he or she may not be able to do anything about a problematic bite. This can be troublesome for a patient as these problematic bites can cause pain, discomfort, and even gum issues or tooth loss. While some general dentists may offer lower costs, you’ll end up spending more in the long run because your orthodontic treatment wasn’t performed as properly as it would’ve been in the hands of a trained orthodontist.

Contact Your Lexington, SC Invisalign and Braces Provider

If you have any further questions or concerns about our orthodontic treatments, please don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know. We at The Braces Place will be glad to help you in any way that we can! If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment, feel free to give us a call at (803) 359-4480. We hope to see you soon and help give you a straighter – and healthier – smile!