Why choose an orthodontist over a general dentist?

Why choose an orthodontist over a general dentist?

Given dentists’ prominence, availability, and the fact that they are usually your first call for anything related to healthcare, it makes sense that you would expect them to have answers to every dental issue you will encounter. In reality, though, this is not always the case because dentistry as in medicine has fields of specialty that only the right trained specialist can practice. Orthodontics is one such field of specialization, and one most people confuse with the areas covered under general dentistry. This confusion explains why instead of looking for an orthodontist in Jupiter to help you get your dream smile, you limit yourself to the services of a general dentist.

What is a dentist?

The American Association of Orthodontists provides a clear description of what a dentist is and does. It describes a general dentist as a professional who is concerned and treats your overall oral health. Primarily, a general dentist performs oral checkups, identifies and treats cavities, gum disease, treat decayed teeth through fillings and perform extractions of damaged teeth. Dentists also provide services like applying bonding, veneers and crowns to improve the aesthetics and function of teeth that are misshaped or broken. They also help patients to maintain their oral care better and prevent dental diseases.

What is an orthodontist?

An orthodontist, on the other hand, is professionally trained and skilled in the area of teeth movement, alignment and function. Orthodontists are also concerned with the size and positioning of the upper and lower jaws. Therefore when you have a problem with chewing, biting or speaking, or want to correct sticking out teeth and improve your appearance, you need the services of a Jupiter orthodontist.

So what are the differences between these two related fields?

A general dentist and an orthodontist differ in two main areas, education and their scope of practice. They both start with the same base for their education that four years of undergraduate study followed by another four years in dental school. After dental school, they have to sit a comprehensive written test and clinical licensing exam to be certified to practice.

For a general dentist, that is where their learning ends. On the other hand, orthodontists go a step further, spending two or more years along with 4,800 hours of orthodontic training focusing on teeth movement and jaw alignment.

In terms of scope, general dentists are usually focused on general oral care though at times and in some states, they are allowed to provide specialty care even without post-dental training. On the other hand, most orthodontists, even with their knowledge of general dentistry, focus their practice in their specialty.

When to pick an orthodontist over a dentist

Now that you know the difference, it is crucial to know when you should consult an orthodontist. In case you have any of the problems listed below, then you should consult an orthodontist.

• You need a beautiful smile
• Have an early or late loss of baby teeth
• Mouth breathing
• Crowded or misplaced teeth
• Shifting or misplaced jaws
• Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth
• Abnormal meeting of teeth
• Problems in comfortably closing teeth

Why choose an orthodontist

In any of the above cases and other orthodontics services, you should pick an orthodontist over a general dentist because you get assistance from someone with the specialized knowledge and skill in the area. Orthodontists like Dr King, have trained and gained experience in the field in ways general dentists have not and cannot. Given the delicate nature of the situation and the expected quality, you want to work with someone dedicated in the field of your condition.

Secondly, the practise of orthodontics is a complex process. Any single mistake from misdiagnosis, choice of a treatment plan, or its execution, can lead to a severe condition and be very costly to rectify.

Finally, orthodontics is an ever-evolving field with new technology inspired solutions and methods helping improve quality of treatment. Only an orthodontist with daily practice and frequent training on these new solutions is better positioned to know when and how they can help you.

If you are stuck on how to find a certified orthodontist, you can use AAO’s, orthodontist near me function on their site to locate one. Finding the right specialist for your needs guarantees you a fast and quality solution.