What Does An Orthodontist Do That My Dentist Doesn’t?

These days, many people have become interested in optimizing the appearance and health of their teeth. If this is the case for you, it’s important to note that both an orthodontist and a dentist can help you accomplish these objectives. However, it’s also important to note that an orthodontist and dentist do not provide identical services. In fact, the services they offer are quite distinct.

At Runnels Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics in Destin and Panama City Beach, we offer orthodontic care to patients of all ages. While we do not offer general dentistry or teeth cleanings, we do provide treatment options to help patients correct oral issues and straighten teeth. We offer different types of braces, Invisalign, retainers, AcceleDent and so much more. Contact Runnels Orthodontics today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Scott Runnels. He will work with you to determine the most effective treatment option for your needs.

Orthodontists and Dentists: A Brief Overview

As many people know, both dentists and orthodontists specialize in helping patients optimize the quality of their oral health. However, they accomplish this important objective in distinct ways. Specifically, dentistry is a field that deals with the patient’s teeth, nerves, gum, and jaw. Orthodontics is a special field under the umbrella of dentistry that corrects bites, occlusion, and how straight the patient’s teeth are. While all orthodontists are dentists, not all dentists have attained the education and experience necessary to become a licensed orthodontist.

Orthodontists and Dentists: Understanding the Differences

As you may have gathered, there are some similarities between dentists and orthodontists. However, the differences outweigh the similarities. For example, an orthodontist is required to obtain additional schooling to specialize in orthodontics. Another significant difference is that orthodontists specialize in correcting teeth alignment, improving biting, and fitting patients for corrective braces. If a patient acquires an overbite, the dentist will direct him or her to an orthodontist.

Orthodontists can also assist with treatment for temporomandibular disorders (TMD), spaces between teeth, cross bites, and problems in the jaw. Finally, it’s important to note that while your dentist has obtained the training necessary to offer some orthodontic care, an orthodontist can oftentimes offer more holistic services and operate at a greater level of understanding acquired through extensive education and experience.

The scope of practice for a dentist and orthodontist is not identical. Specifically, the orthodontist is qualified to perform corrective work to the teeth that the dentist cannot. If you are currently in search of an orthodontist, contact Runnels Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics today. We will work with you to make sure you get the best treatment for your needs.