People often seem to confuse orthodontists with general dentists, which is not true because of the difference in their work. We all have been to dentists for good oral health care, but What does an Orthodontist does still remains a question. They are a special type of dentist responsible for fixing misaligned teeth of patients by different Invisalign treatments so they can smile without any fear.
Although a smile is the greatest gift of God, not all are lucky enough to be born with straight teeth for which an orthodontist comes to help. They take special learning, training, and specialization to handle all teeth and jaw irregularities that result in crooked or misaligned teeth.
Whether you’ve misaligned teeth or large spaces between the front teeth, there’s a good chance that you’ll end up at an orthodontist clinic for Invisalign sooner or later. In this guide, we have covered everything about What Orthodontists do and why they are different from general dentists when it comes to oral health care.
What’s the Difference Between an Orthodontist and a Dentist?
Both dentists and orthodontists study the same area of oral health care but specialize in different things. Dentists receive general dentistry training to diagnose, treat and prevent oral health problems, while orthodontists only deal with misalignment of teeth and jaws by using treatments like Invisalign. Let’s dive deep into more differences between a dentist and an orthodontist. This will also help you get clear about What does an Orthodontist does.
Dentists are common doctors that deal with oral health problems for which they complete their graduation from any reputed school of dentistry. Before practice, they receive general dentistry training that involves the study of teeth, gums, tongue, and mouth.
What Does an Orthodontist Do?
In contrast, an orthodontist, as the name says, specializes in oral health that only involves the study of tooth and jaw alignment. The work of an orthodontist is to align the teeth and give a beautiful smile with the use of Invisalign treatment and dental appliances such as braces, palatal expanders, retainers, etc.
Should I See an Orthodontist?
Since both do different sets of work, it’s important to decide if you should see a dentist or orthodontist for your oral health problem. Common dental issues, including tooth pain, tooth decay, tooth cleaning, tooth extraction, can be done by a dentist, while intense oral health procedures such as jaw malocclusion, tooth crowding, and palate expansion are the cup of tea of an orthodontist.
According to experienced dentistry practitioners, parents should make an orthodontist visit for their children’s oral health care before age 7. This is because an orthodontist can easily detect any teeth misalignment and treat crooked jaw lines or teeth hidden behind at an early stage. Once the issue is diagnosed, the orthodontist will use special dental techniques and Invisalign treatments. Some advise metal or clear braces, while others use different alignment ways to adjust all the teeth in a perfect manner.
Now that you know the clear difference between a dentist and an orthodontist, it’s the right time to learn more about what an orthodontist does besides Invisalign treatment.
Patients seek orthodontists as they enhance their smile by fixing crooked teeth or other alignments that both cause oral health problems and self-esteem issues. Also, not having the right pattern of teeth can cause trouble during chewing or talking properly, which may indirectly impact your social life.
Even if nothing seems a problem to you, having a perfect straight appeal is still more appealing and appreciated, especially if it’s your first impression with someone.
Can Children Go to An Orthodontist?
Yes, they can. In fact, children are more easily able to deal with Invisalign treatments as their teeth are not as fixed, strong, and stable as adults. That is why you might have always noticed people taking their children to the orthodontist at an early age because of the easy movement of teeth that helps in proper alignment so you can smile confidently every time and everywhere.
How Do Orthodontists Treat Patients?
Orthodontists use a unique approach to treat their patients suffering from teeth and jaw alignment problems. Although every orthodontist has a different approach, most of them examine the teeth and jaw first, evaluate the needs, and find the best possible treatment. Since the process can be long, you might have to go for regular dental checkups to smoothly carry out the process of Invisalign.
Do Orthodontists Use Invisalign Treatment?
Yes, they do. Many Invisalign orthodontists use the special Invisalign treatment, which is an easy and clear alternative to metal braces. Depending on the age, preference, situation, and oral health of each patient, an orthodontist uses the feasible type of Invisalign that doesn’t put much pressure on the teeth, unlike braces. This is the reason why most people who come to an orthodontist go with Invisalign treatment for the convenience it offers.
Conclusion
It goes without saying that an orthodontist is your savior for nearly every malocclusion problem from jaw pain, gum problems, to crooked teeth.
If you are not sure if you need an orthodontist or a general dentist, please contact us at Fort McMurray Dental in Fort McMurray, our professional dental team is more than happy to help with dental care. If you are looking for Invisalign treatment in Fort McMurray, contact Fort McMurray Dental to learn more about the best option.
