It's important to remember that all orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. In fact, orthodontists can work in a dental office and perform the same tasks as a dentist, they only have additional education that allows them to specialize in orthodontics. Dentists work with you regularly to establish and maintain good oral health and determine when you need restorative work. Your dentist can determine if you have gum disease or if you need root canal therapy.
If you tell your dentist that you're feeling pain or temperature sensitivity, you're likely to be referred to an endodontist who specializes in root canal treatment. Orthodontists also usually specialize in predentistry or premedicine on their bachelor's degree before entering dental school. Dentists and orthodontists are two types of doctors who receive a large office to diagnose and treat oral health conditions. Orthodontists receive additional training, which enables them to install braces and diagnose a misaligned jaw.
Your orthodontist will correct the alignment of your teeth, which, if left unaddressed, can cause several different problems. While a dentist may be trained to provide orthodontic care in addition to extractions, TMJ treatments, and fillings, entrusting your smile to an orthodontist can better balance the different procedures you need. An orthodontist requires additional studies as a dental specialty; the situation is similar to that of a doctor who obtains additional education to become a surgeon. Your dentist must complete 8 years of higher education, while your orthodontist must complete 10 or 11 years to become a specialist.
Once dental school ends and undergoes 2 or 3 years of advanced training from an ADA-recognized school, the dentist is designated an orthodontic specialist or orthodontist. The American Orthodontic Association recommends that children visit an orthodontist for a checkup no later than age 7.As can be seen, both dentists and orthodontists must obtain a broad educational base before practicing their future profession. He is a highly regarded orthodontist, often recognized as a “superdentist” in Texas Monthly magazine and locally in San Antonio Scene magazine as one of the best dentists in the orthodontic community. Lewis is also a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the Southern Association of Orthodontists, and the Georgia Association of Orthodontists.
There are some people who have worn braces or Invisalign from doctors who are not specialists or websites on the Internet and who ended up needing to see an orthodontist later in life to get treatment again. To learn more about the difference between dentists and orthodontists, or to schedule an initial consultation with doctors, orthodontists need more education after dental school, where a general dentist can begin practicing dentistry once they have finished dental school and have obtained their license. This allows the orthodontist to detect potential problems as early as possible and help guide the child's growth and development.