Orthodontistvs dentist

Dentists and orthodontists are both important for the health of your smile, but do you know the difference between them? Read on to find out.

What’s the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist?

All orthodontists started out as dentists, so they understand dental hygiene and care. They spent five years studying dentistry and understanding the ins and outs of patients’ teeth.

But orthodontists also went on to a further two-to-three years of postgraduate study in the specialist field of orthodontics to learn how to align teeth and jaws.

A dentist can clean your teeth and treat tooth decay, but only a Specialist Orthodontist has the expertise to create a custom treatment plan for your smile using braces or clear aligners.

Orthodontist vs dentist

What is an orthodontist’s role?

An orthodontist treats issues with your teeth and jaws such as crowding, spacing or overbites. Misalignments can prevent you from chewing and digesting your food properly, and create increased risk of tooth decay. An orthodontist can help.

Orthodontist vs dentist

Why should I see an orthodontist?

If you aren’t happy with your smile, or have misaligned teeth or jaws, you should speak with an orthodontist. We also recommend a consultation for all children starting around the age of 8. Our consultations are free, so you can come decide if orthodontic treatment is right for you.

Orthodontist vs dentist