Your dentist may offer braces or aligners for straightforward cases, but is that your best option? If a dentist can straighten your teeth, then what does an orthodontist do that’s different? Let’s explore the specialized procedures that these healthcare providers offer and the wide variety of oral conditions they can address.
What Do Orthodontists Actually Do?
Most people associate orthodontists with a crooked smile and braces, and for a good reason — cosmetic straightening is the most common procedure that they perform. This treatment gradually moves your teeth into the correct positions with appliances such as traditional metal braces and clear aligners. The orthodontist handles the entire process, from your initial examination to placing the brackets and wires to regular monitoring for early signs of shifting after your braces come off.
Orthodontic Treatments Beyond Straightening Teeth
An orthodontist’s expertise doesn’t end with aesthetics; they can address more complex oral conditions with personalized treatment plans and devices that include:
- Headgear that realigns significant malocclusions, including overbites and underbites
- Orthopedic appliances that correct jaw growth discrepancies like underdeveloped lower jaws
- Palatal expanders that treat narrow palate issues that can lead to overcrowding and breathing problems
- Dental space maintainers that prevent a child’s neighboring teeth from blocking the space for a permanent tooth
- Sleep apnea oral devices that support the airway properly during sleep
- Lip and cheek bumpers that reduce excessive soft tissue pressure that can cause misalignment
Orthodontists also collaborate with oral and maxillofacial surgeons to perform orthognathic surgery. These procedures correct severe irregularities such as facial imbalances and major differences in upper and lower jaw size.
What Is the Difference Between an Orthodontist and a Dentist?
Your dentist is your primary oral healthcare provider who can treat a broad spectrum of issues related to teeth, gums, nerves, and the jaw. Beyond routine cleanings and fillings, dentists perform procedures such as crowns, bridges, root canals, extractions, and denture or dental implant placements. They also offer treatments that improve how your teeth look, such as whitening and veneers.
Orthodontists, on the other hand, are dental specialists with advanced knowledge of correcting misalignments of the teeth and jaws. They design and carry out treatment plans to straighten teeth, correct bite issues, and align the jaws. While general dentists may provide some orthodontic services, specialized expertise makes orthodontists uniquely qualified to manage complex cases.
Orthodontist Education and Board Certification
All dental school students receive basic orthodontic training, but what orthodontists do differently is undergo an additional two- to three-year education program after graduation. Here, they receive specialized training that focuses on diagnosing and treating teeth and jaw misalignments.
Some practitioners choose to advance their proficiency and apply to become board-certified orthodontists. This process can span several years and requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and judgment in the field. They must successfully complete written and clinical tests and present cases they have treated to a panel of expert examiners at the American Board of Orthodontics.
Why Would You Need To See an Orthodontist?
The main reason you would see an orthodontist is for aesthetic realignment, although crooked teeth are also hard to clean properly, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, you would need an orthodontist to correct and manage the following:
- Malocclusions: Improper alignment between the upper and lower teeth, such as severe overbites and crossbites, can contribute to jaw pain and temporomandibular joint disorders
- Teeth Misalignments: Issues like crowded teeth, improper spacing, and diastema, which can negatively affect speech and chewing and cause chronic discomfort due to jaw strain
- Jaw Alignment Problems: Discrepancies in the positioning of the upper and lower jaws can lead to TMJ disorders, jaw growth abnormalities, and even facial asymmetry and discomfort
- Jaw Growth Monitoring: Observation of a child’s jaw development to track growth patterns and identify potential alignment issues that would benefit from early intervention
It’s important to note that you don’t need a referral to see an orthodontist unless your insurance plan requires one, so you can go ahead and schedule an appointment without seeing your general dentist or primary care physician first.
See for Yourself What an Orthodontist Does Best
Dentists can be great at maintaining healthy smiles, but when it comes to treating various teeth and jaw alignment issues, they generally can’t do what orthodontists do. Whether you need a complimentary consultation on routine cosmetic straightening or surgical jaw corrections, contact Peterson Family Orthodontics today at our San Tan Valley office to schedule an appointment. We also serve Queen Creek and Florence.