You need your teeth cleaned, but you’re also thinking of getting Invisalign treatment for your teeth. You have a choice between dentist vs. orthodontist. Can you go to just one for both treatments? What’s the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist?
The orthodontist vs. dentist question may seem like a no-brainer. They seem to have the same training. Are orthodontists dentists? Technically, yes, but they’ve had specialized training that a general dentist hasn’t, and that’s the big difference.
Take Dr. Zombek at Zombek Orthodontics in Weston, FL. He trained for years to be a dentist, so technically, he’s a dentist. But he also continued his education with specialized training to become an orthodontist.
That extra training and certification are what prepared him to give you the best options available when it comes to braces and Invisalign treatment. His knowledge and training in repairing bad bites are what mark the difference between a dentist and orthodontist.
People are sometimes confused about the differences between an orthodontist and a dentist. Are all dentists orthodontists? Are all orthodontists dentists? The confusion lies in the fact that dentists and orthodontists start with the same training—to be dentists.
A dentist trains in general dentistry at a dental school. Once they graduate, they are ready to work in general dentistry. They are trained to do everything you expect dentists to do: clean teeth, fill cavities, provide fluoride treatments, and install crowns, among other things. They can work with other dentists or open their own practice.
What they can’t do is treat patients with braces or clear aligners. They need extra training for that.
An orthodontist starts the same way as a dentist by training in dental school. Unlike the dentist, the orthodontist’s training doesn’t end with dental school.
Orthodontists must continue their education in a special certification program. This is where they learn the special field of orthodontics, which includes moving teeth with precision to create beautiful smiles and correct bad bites. Once they receive their certifications, they are officially orthodontists.
Look at it this way: All cardiologists are doctors, but not all doctors are cardiologists. If you have heart problems, you’ll want to go to a cardiologist, not a general practice doctor. It’s the same with dentists and orthodontists. If you want to keep your teeth clean and your mouth healthy, you want to visit a dentist. If you want to straighten your teeth, you need to see an orthodontist.
Now that you know the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist, when do you visit which one? If you want your teeth cleaned, visit your dentist. What if you have a cavity? Dentist!
What does an orthodontist do? They take care of you if you need braces or clear aligners. As an orthodontist, Dr. Zombek can treat you with braces or Invisalign clear aligners. He can treat adults, and he can treat children with these services.
What can orthodontists do besides braces and Invisalign? They can place dental appliances that help correct the structure of your mouth, such as a palate expander, or that correct bad habits, such as a tongue crib to stop tongue thrust or thumb sucking.
Does this mean you won’t need to see your dentist while getting orthodontic treatment? Not at all! In fact, you need to be diligent with your semi-annual cleanings to ensure you don’t get cavities during treatment.
Your dentist will take care of the cavities if you get any, but we hope you will brush and floss regularly to prevent this from happening. Once your braces are off, your dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth so you can see how gorgeous your new smile is!
There are other types of dentistry that require additional education. Some specialties can be performed by a general dentist, such as cosmetic dentistry or restorative dentistry. Others, such as endodontics, require a different type of specialist.
Cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry are similar. Both aim to improve the look of your teeth. A cosmetic dentist can improve the look of your teeth through special treatments like adding veneers or crowns, tooth whitening, and color tooth matching.
Restorative dentistry repairs damaged teeth, such as those that are discolored, cracked, broken, or even missing. A restorative dentist can apply crowns or bridges, add dental implants, repair small chips with resin fillers, and help protect teeth with fluoride treatments.
Many dentists have training in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. However, some dentists can specialize in either or both of these fields.
An endodontist is a specialized dentist who deals with the pulp of the tooth and performs more intense treatments to save teeth, including root canals, dental implants, and bone grafting to improve the strength of the jaw around the teeth.
These fields can work in conjunction with your orthodontist to improve the look of your teeth before and after braces. Some patients may need special treatments before braces, such as a root canal or bone graft. Others may want cosmetic treatment after braces, such as teeth whitening.
Some orthodontists, like Dr. Zombek, can perform surgical orthodontics to improve jaw and tooth alignment and make your braces treatment an even bigger success.
Surgical orthodontics can reduce severe gaps in teeth and improve jaw alignment, which can reduce excessive tooth wear, headaches, and jaw pain. Braces treatment can correct teeth placement afterward.
Has your dentist recommended you see an orthodontist? If you live in the Weston, FL, or the Hollywood, FL, areas, we invite you to visit us and see what we can do for you!
Zombek Orthodontics can get you started with our virtual consult tool, which lets you tell us about your case from the comfort of your own home through a computer or mobile device. Then, we’ll bring you in for a thorough evaluation and let you know the best treatment for you. You’ll love your new smile from your orthodontist!
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