How Do Dentists and Orthodontists Differ from Each Other?

We understand how it feels when the teeth structure isn’t proper and you feel embarrassed while speaking or smiling publicly. When you feel the need to improve your bite or fill the gap between teeth in the jaw, you need the best orthodontist Melbourne to gain healthy bites.

With the suggestion of an Orthodontist Melbourne, patients can gain a healthy bite which ensures that they can speak, chew, and eat without much pain.

Earlier, an orthodontist was only approached when children or teenagers required braces. People mostly use the terms dentist and orthodontist interchangeably and they even get confused on using the terms or consulting the right expert for the problem.

Dentists and orthodontists help patients improve their oral health but they proceed in different ways. Dentistry is a broad medical speciality that handles the teeth, jaw, nerves, and gums. On the other hand, orthodontics focuses on teeth straightening and correcting bites.

Eventually, both of these experts, dentists and orthodontists, are specialised in oral healthcare. The difference is doctors who study dentistry are trained for diagnosing and treating teeth, mouth, tongue, and gum conditions.

Orthodontists receive the training, but they also get enough education to diagnose and treat misalignments of the teeth and jaws.

Here is what a dentist does,

Dentists handle all the complications related to the mouth and ensure improving patients’ oral health. They complete their degree before graduating from dentistry school. Dentists are well-trained in the area of teeth and oral health. Around 80% of dentists practise general dentistry. Certified dentists can diagnose and treat oral health conditions of mouth, teeth, tongue, and gums.

Dentists fill cavities, treat gum diseases, handle dental X-rays, extract teeth, repair cracked teeth, whiten the teeth, arrange oral surgery, install crown or veneer, and give prescriptions for the treatment.      

When to contact an orthodontist or dentist?

You can consider your dentist as a general practitioner and an orthodontist as an expert. Any standard dental problems can be sorted out by approaching a dentist. Tooth repair, tooth extraction, tooth pain, and tooth decay can be diagnosed and treated with the help of a dentist. They can also help in treating oral infections. Oral inflammation, and gum disease.

There could be times when a dentist suggests you contact an orthodontist. Problems like tooth crowding and palate expansion require the suggestion of an orthodontist.

It is also suggested that children should only be assessed by an orthodontist before an age of 7 if they need braces.

If you are an adult and have crooked teeth that you want to align, you should avoid visiting a dentist and approach the orthodontist.

All of the orthodontics won’t be covered by insurance even if you have coverage of dental treatments.    

Ending up,

Hence, it is suggested to approach a dentist or the best orthodontist Melbourne whenever you find the need for oral hygiene or health. Would you like to add any other points to this guide? You can by commenting below.