You know you need to see someone about your teeth, but you may be confused about whether you should make an appointment with a dentist or an orthodontist. If so, you are not alone.
While both types of doctors provide services to help you keep your smile healthy, they help people in different ways. Here is an overview of the main differences between the two types of providers, and a description of the services they generally offer:
Dentist
General dentists are licensed doctors (DDS or DMD) who treat your overall oral health, and provide preventive education, x-rays, cleanings and things like gum care, fillings, crowns, bridges, veneers teeth whitening and root canals.
Most dentists work with both children and adults, although some dentists specialize in pediatric dentistry or in working with mature adults.
You see your general dentist for periodic cleanings and exams, and if you have a painful tooth, you should contact your dentist right away; don't wait six months for your next scheduled checkup!
Orthodontist
Orthodontists specialize in "bad bites," and work with patients to straighten teeth by using braces, bands, wires, retainers and other fixed or removable devices. Orthodontists generally work with children and adults, helping to correct patients' smiles.
Straighter teeth make for a great smile, but orthodontia goes beyond outward appearances. Teeth that don't fit together well are more difficult to keep clean, may be more susceptible to decay and put extra stress on the muscles we use to chew our food. This can lead to headaches, neck or back pain, or TMJ.
Patients might be referred to an orthodontist for overbites, underbites, gaps or overcrowded teeth.
Just like dentists, orthodontists are also licensed doctors, and have generally completed two or more years of education beyond dental school at an American Dental Association-approved orthodontics program.
Some general dentists are also orthodontists, but most general dentists will refer patients out to orthodontia practices when a patient could benefit from teeth realignment or straightening.
Dental hygiene is about more than just your teeth; studies have found correlations between poor dental hygiene and instances of heart disease and other maladies. Remember to do your part to keep your teeth clean and healthy, and schedule regular preventive visits to your dentist.