Orthodontist vs. Dentist: Who’s Who in the World of Dental Care!

Ever wondered whether you need to see a dentist or an orthodontist? Well, you’re definitely not alone! Even though both deal with teeth, they each concentrate on different parts of your oral health. In this blog post, we’ll look at what services orthodontists and dentists offer and what sets them apart. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of when it’s best to see an orthodontist and when a dentist might be the way to go.

Who Is a Dentist?

A dentist is a registered healthcare professional who looks after your teeth, gums, and overall oral health. They help keep your teeth and gums healthy by diagnosing and treating common dental problems like cavities, gum disease, and tooth infections.

It takes quite a few years of schooling and training to become a dentist. First, they complete a four-year bachelor’s degree, followed by another four years of dental school. At the end of that journey, they earn either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree.  Both degrees are basically the same and are accepted by all 50 states in the U.S. Once they finish dental school, they must pass licensing exams, like the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE), along with clinical assessments, to be able to practice dentistry legally in their state.

After dental school, some dentists choose to specialize in areas like pediatric dentistry, periodontics (gum health), or oral and maxillofacial surgery. Meanwhile, general dentists stick to providing everyday dental care.

Here are some of the dental services you can expect from your dentist:

• Teeth cleaning
• Tooth extractions
• Wisdom tooth removal
• Dental fillings
• Root canal treatments
• Crowns and bridges
• Dentures
• Teeth whitening
• Gum disease treatment (Regular dentists can treat milder forms of gum disease)

When Should You See a Dentist?

Going to the dentist regularly is a great way to keep your teeth and gums healthy. So, how can you tell when it’s time to go for a visit? Here are some situations where you should go see a dentist:

• For Routine Checkups and Cleanings: Even if your teeth seem okay, it’s a good idea to visit your dentist at least twice a year for a checkup and a professional cleaning. Professional dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar that can’t be brushed away at home. These visits help prevent problems like cavities, gum disease, and plaque buildup.
• If You Have Tooth Pain or Sensitivity: A sudden toothache or sensitivity to hot and cold foods could be a sign of a cavity, cracked tooth, infection, worn enamel, or gum recession. A dentist can find the cause and treat it before it gets worse.
• When You Notice Bleeding or Swollen Gums: If your gums are healthy, they won’t bleed when you brush or floss. If yours do, that might be a sign of gum disease like gingivitis. If you catch it early, you can avoid serious issues like periodontitis, which can really harm the bone and tissues that keep your teeth in place.
• If You Have Bad Breath That Won’t Go Away: Chronic bad breath (also called halitosis) isn’t just embarrassing—it might be a sign of tooth decay, gum disease, or even something more serious like diabetes or kidney disease. A dentist can help figure out what’s going on.
• When You Have a Loose, Broken, or Missing Tooth: Whether it’s from an accident, decay, or wear and tear, a damaged or missing tooth can affect your smile and make eating more difficult. A broken tooth could also expose the pulp inside, which can lead to infections if you don’t get it treated quickly. Dentists can assess the need for fillings, crowns, or root canal therapy or replace it with a crown, bridge, or implant.
• If You’re Experiencing Jaw Pain or Frequent Headaches: Jaw pain, clicking sounds, or frequent headaches could mean you have TMJ disorder (a problem with your jaw joint). Your dentist can help spot TMJ early and create a treatment plan just for you.

Dentists also play a big role in educating patients about taking care of their teeth. They point out how vital it is to brush, floss, and keep up with regular dental checkups to avoid any dental issues down the line. They can also provide valuable advice on diet and lifestyle that can affect your oral health. 

Your family dentist is your partners in your ongoing oral healthcare, helping you maintain healthy teeth and gums for life. 

Who Is an Orthodontist?

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who specializes in diagnosing, preventing, and treating dental and facial growth irregularities. They really know their stuff when it comes to moving teeth and shaping your facial structure, making sure everything looks good and works well, too. 

While all orthodontists are dentists, not all dentists are orthodontists! Once orthodontists finish the same educational journey as dentists, which includes their undergraduate studies and dental school, they go through extra years of specialized training focused just on orthodontic care. This training helps them learn how to use braces, Invisalign, and other devices that correct teeth and jaw issues.

Orthodontists help clients of all ages, tackling everything from minor tweaks to more complicated fixes. Here are some of the specialized services that an orthodontist offers:

• Braces (traditional metal, clear, or ceramic)
• Invisalign (clear aligners for a nearly invisible treatment)
• Dentofacial orthopedics (guiding jaw growth in younger patients)
• Retainers (to maintain results after braces or Invisalign)
• Accelerated Smiles (a treatment that speeds up tooth movement for faster results!)

When Should You See an Orthodontist?

If you’re looking for a straighter smile, a better bite, or a faster way to fix misaligned teeth, it might be a good idea to check in with an orthodontist!  Unlike general dentists who focus on overall oral health, orthodontists specialize in moving teeth into their ideal position. So, how can you tell when it’s the perfect moment to schedule an appointment?

• When Your Child Turns Seven: The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) and Dr. Kelson recommend scheduling your child’s first visit around the age of seven.  At this age, an orthodontist can spot early problems with jaw growth and tooth alignment—even before all the adult teeth come in! Spotting issues early can help avoid bigger problems down the line and may reduce the need for major treatments later on.
• If You Have Crooked, Crowded, or Gapped Teeth: If your teeth are too close together, overlapping, or spaced out, it can affect your smile and make it harder to keep them clean. An orthodontist can help straighten your teeth using braces or Invisalign, which not only improves their appearance but also makes them easier to maintain.
• If You Have a Bite Problem: A bad bite—also called a malocclusion—can make it tough to chew and talk since misaligned teeth can affect how the upper and lower jaws interact. They can also raise the chances of dental issues like tooth decay, gum disease, and early wear on teeth because of uneven pressure distribution. Orthodontic treatment helps fix these problems by straightening teeth, which makes chewing easier and improves how we speak.
• If You Have Jaw Pain, Clicking, or TMJ Issues: If your jaw clicks, pops, or hurts when you chew, talk, or open wide, you may have TMJ disorder (temporomandibular joint dysfunction). Orthodontists really know their stuff when it comes to the musculoskeletal system and any disorders that might affect the jaw and facial structure. This expertise is super important for tackling TMJ issues.
• If You Had Braces Before, but Your Teeth Shifted: Your teeth can naturally move around as time goes by, especially if you haven’t been using your retainer. If your teeth have shifted from their original position, an orthodontist can help get them back in line with braces or Invisalign.
• If You Want a Faster Way to Straighten Your Teeth: Looking for a faster and more effective way to get your orthodontic treatment done? Kelson Orthodontics has this cool treatment called Accelerated Smiles. It taps into your body’s natural biology to move your teeth, and it’s twice as fast—no surgery or extra gadgets needed!
• If You Have Sleep Apnea or Breathing Issues: If you’re dealing with sleep apnea or breathing issues that could be related to a narrow jaw affecting your airway, an orthodontist might be able to help with treatments designed to improve airflow.

Seeing an orthodontist is key for tackling dental alignment issues at any age. Plus, getting early evaluations for kids can help avoid problems down the road.

How Dentists and Orthodontists Work Together

Dentists and orthodontists each have their own special roles when it comes to taking care of your teeth, and they often team up to make sure you get the best overall care possible. Here’s how dentists and orthodontists team up to give you top-notch care.

• Initial Assessments and Referrals: Your journey usually kicks off with a trip to the dentist, where they do regular checkups and take care of any general dental concerns. If your dentist sees that you might need some specialized alignment treatment during your visit, they’ll send you over to an orthodontist. This partnership makes sure that any possible tooth alignment problems are spotted early and handled by a specialist who knows their stuff.
• Creating a Comprehensive Treatment Plan: When an orthodontist joins your care team, they team up with your dentist to come up with a tailored treatment plan that focuses on your alignment needs and your overall oral health. It’s all about coordinating treatments to tackle issues like cavities before starting orthodontic work, making sure there’s a healthy foundation for any corrections needed.
• Shared Expertise for Complex Cases: In cases where dental and orthodontic issues are complex and intertwined, dentists and orthodontists team up to come up with a plan that tackles everything. So, let’s say you need some orthodontic work done to get ready for dental implants. In that situation, the orthodontist will work on getting your teeth aligned just right while the dentist handles the implant procedure. This way, you’ll have a smooth and coordinated care experience.
• Post-Treatment Care and Maintenance: The teamwork keeps going even after the orthodontic treatment wraps up. Your orthodontist will give you retainers to keep your straight teeth in place, and your dentist will keep an eye on your oral health to make sure your teeth and gums stay healthy after you get your braces or aligners off. Working together on this helps keep the results of your orthodontic treatment in check and stops any dental problems from popping up later on.

Working together, dentists and orthodontists form the backbone of complete dental care. Their partnership makes sure your oral health is taken care of from all angles, blending general dental care with specialized orthodontic treatment. Working together as a team not only improves the quality of care but also makes your treatment experience smoother and more effective.

Choosing the Right Professional for Your Needs

Finding the right dental professional for your needs is super important for keeping your oral health in check. When it comes to getting the right care, knowing how to pick the right expert can really change the game, whether you’re looking for routine check-ups or something more specialized.

Here’s how you can find the perfect professional for your dental needs.

• Evaluate Your Dental Health Needs: Finding the right dental care professional is super important for keeping your teeth healthy. Your dentist is the go-to person for all your everyday dental needs, such as checkups, cleanings, and fillings. If you’re worried about how your teeth or jaw line up, or if you’re thinking about getting braces, you’ll want to see an orthodontist—they’re the go-to expert for that kind of stuff.
• Consider Experience and Qualifications: When you’re picking a dental professional, it’s a good idea to check out their qualifications, like their education, training, and any certifications they might have. Orthodontists have extra years of specialized training after dental school. Experience also counts! When you work with someone who’s been around the block, they probably have dealt with a bunch of cases just like yours.
• Ask for Recommendations: Word-of-mouth recommendations from family, friends, or your family dentist can be invaluable. Hearing about people’s personal experiences with different dental professionals can help you understand what kind of care and treatment results you could expect.
• Check Reviews and Testimonials: Checking out online reviews and testimonials can give you an idea of the kind of care a dental professional offers. Check out what people are saying about how approachable they are, how effective their treatment is, and how happy their clients feel overall.
• Schedule an Initial Consultation: Many dental professionals are more than willing to provide consultations. It’s a fantastic chance to connect with them, ask any questions you have, and chat about your dental needs. You can also get a sense of their practice and see if they’re the right match for you.
• Evaluate Their Approach and Communication: Pick someone who really takes the time to break things down for you and listens to what you’re worried about. Effective communication is essential for any successful dental treatment. It’s important to feel at ease and really understood by your dental care provider.
• Consider Convenience: Finally, consider the location and office hours of the dental office. Being able to access dental care and schedule appointments that fit your lifestyle is super important when it comes to keeping up with regular dental visits. 

Remember, the goal is to find a dental professional who can give you the care you need while making you feel comfortable and at ease. Whether it’s a dentist for your general oral health needs or an orthodontist for alignment issues, the right professional can help you get that healthy, confident smile you’re after.

At Kelson Orthodontics, we specialize in braces, Invisalign, face-focused care, and Accelerated Smiles—so you can get the results you want faster and more comfortably than ever before.

Not sure if you need orthodontic treatment? We’d love to help! Schedule a consultation today, and let’s find out.