There is a common misconception that dentists and orthodontists are the same and while they are very similar, there are some key differences between the two roles.
What is a Dentist?
Dentistry is a very broad medical specialty focusing on the teeth, gums, nerves, and jaw. When visiting the dentist, they are focused on your overall oral health, carry out regular checkups to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy and will diagnose several issues and provide solutions to keep your mouth as healthy as possible.
Common dental services:
- Tooth decay
- Root canals
- Dentures
- Crowns
- Gum disease
- Cosmetic dentistry – i.e. veneers, bonding, teeth whitening
What is an Orthodontist?
Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry and the main focus is the alignment of the teeth and issues with the jaw and requires an additional two or three years of training and education after dental school.
Common orthodontic issues:
- Crowded teeth
- Misaligned teeth
- Overbite/underbite
- TMJ/TMD
- Sleep apnea
- Large spaces between teeth
How Can an Orthodontist Help You?
If you are experiencing jaw pain or notice your teeth are overcrowded or have large spaces between them, an orthodontist will be able to diagnose the issue and provide you with solutions that will help achieve the results you are looking for.
When a patient is experiencing overcrowding or gaps in the teeth, an orthodontist will be able to force your teeth into the correct alignment with braces or other tools. To achieve the best end result, start with a FREE consultation with ARCH Orthodontics!
For patients experiencing TMJ/TMD, our team will be able to figure out what’s causing the pain and how to best treat the condition.
To schedule your consultation, contact us today at (781) 318-3925.
