It’s understandable to be confused about whether you should see a dentist or an orthodontist when you have a dental problem. Being able to identify differences between an orthodontist vs dentist can help you in routing your problem to the appropriate specialist. Although both professionals work in the field of dentistry, their specialization training and focus differ.
A general dentist works in different areas of your oral cavity to maintain oral health. An orthodontist specializes in correcting and bringing relations in the position of your teeth and jaws. Once you are able to distinguish in what areas a dentist and an orthodontist work, it becomes easy to direct your case to the right specialist.
What Does a Dentist Do?
Generally, when you need work done on your teeth, you go to a general dentist to have your teeth cleaned and checked up on, as well as to get help with issues you may be having with your teeth and mouth.
You may visit a dentist for:
- Regular dental examinations and cleanings
- Cavities and fillings
- Gum problems
- Toothache or sensitivity
- Crowns, bridges and veneers
- Tooth extractions
- Root canal treatment
- Preventive dental care
- General concerns about your oral health
Dentists are aware of the limits of their training, and can recognize when they need to refer you to a specialist.
If your dentist notices your teeth are crowded or your bite is poor during your regular exam, they may require you to get a consultation with an orthodontist.
What Does an Orthodontist Do?
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who is trained in moving teeth and modifying the jaws to improve the relationship of the teeth and jaws. Following the completion of dental school, they take an additional training program in the field of orthodontics.
Their work commonly involves diagnosing and treating problems such as:
- Crooked or crowded teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Crossbites
- Certain jaw-alignment concerns
- Problems with how the upper and lower teeth meet
Orthodontists are trained in dental school on using orthodontic equipment to correct misaligned teeth and issues with a person’s bite. To further specialize in correcting bite and alignment issues of the face and jaws, orthodontists are required to take additional education by the American Association of Orthodontists.
The Difference Between Dentist and Orthodontist
Dentists and orthodontists are kind of similar, but there are some differences between dentist and orthodontist. For example, while a dentist is concerned about your overall oral health, an orthodontist is only concerned about the health of your bite and the alignment of your jaw and your teeth.
| Dentist | Orthodontist |
| Focuses on overall oral health | Specialises in tooth and jaw alignment |
| Treats cavities and gum problems | Treats crooked and crowded teeth |
| Provides routine check-ups and preventive care | Corrects bite and alignment problems |
| May perform fillings, crowns and extractions | Provides orthodontic treatment such as braces and aligners |
| Refers complex orthodontic cases when appropriate | Creates specialised orthodontic treatment plans |
This orthodontist and dentist difference is a common question. The truth is that there is no difference in importance between the two fields. In many cases, the same individual will see both types of specialists during the course of treatment.
When Should You See a Dentist?
For many everyday dental concerns, a general dentist is the right place to begin.
Consider seeing a dentist if you have:
- Tooth pain or sensitivity
- Bleeding or swollen gums
- A suspected cavity
- Bad breath that does not improve with normal oral hygiene
- A damaged or broken tooth
- Concerns about your overall oral health
- A need for routine dental examination or cleaning
Your dentist can evaluate your oral condition and give you treatment at their clinic, or direct you to another specialist, if required.
For information on the cutting edge dental technology used at Dr. Mathesul’s Clinic, come visit our dental clinic in Pune.
When Should You See an Orthodontist?
An orthodontic consultation may be appropriate when your main concern involves the position of your teeth or the way your bite fits together.
You may want to consult an orthodontist if you have:
- Crooked or overlapping teeth
- Significant spacing between teeth
- Crowded teeth
- An overbite, underbite or crossbite
- Teeth that appear unusually positioned
- Difficulty with the way your teeth meet
- Concerns about your child’s developing bite
- An interest in braces or clear aligners
Both traditional braces and clear aligners have their place in orthodontic treatment, based on the case and patient factors.
As Invisalign is a fairly new concept for orthodontic treatment, Invisalign in Pune describes the aligner concept for patients considering clear aligner treatment.
Also, patients considering conventional orthodontic treatment can be informed about the types of teeth braces available at the clinic through teeth braces in Pune.
Can a Dentist and Orthodontist Work Together?
Yes. In many cases, a dentist and orthodontist work together as part of a patient’s overall dental care.
A patient may see a general dentist before starting braces or aligners to fix a cavity or other issue. The general dentist can then address that issue, and the orthodontist can address moving the other teeth to correct the bite.
While braces or aligners are on a patient, it is still important for the patient to see the general dentist for regular checkups. The orthodontist is not responsible for checkups and cleaning and cannot address issues that may arise with a patient’s oral health. The general dentist is still responsible for that.
This is helpful when a patient requires more than one dental procedure to be performed and when a patient requires a dentist with orthodontist procedures to be performed at the same time.
Orthodontist vs Endodontist: What Is the Difference?
The terms can sound similar, but orthodontists and endodontists treat very different dental concerns.
Endodontist vs Orthodontist
Specializing in the inner structures of the tooth, an endodontist addresses conditions affecting the dental pulp and root canals. Generally speaking, a patient will be referred to an endodontist if they require root canal therapy, or if they have other conditions or injuries involving their teeth that have caused them pain or discomfort.
An orthodontist addresses and corrects issues in a patient’s bite and Malalignment of the teeth and jaws.
A simple way to remember the difference is:
- Orthodontist: tooth alignment, bite and jaw positioning
- Endodontist: tooth pulp, root canals and certain causes of dental pain
An orthodontist can help fix issues with your bite or misplaced teeth. If you have pain in a tooth and the pain is in the interior part of the tooth, then you need to see an endodontist.
How Do You Know Which Dental Professional You Need?
Identify the issue you want solved first.
A general dentist takes care of basic dental needs such as check-ups and cleaning and more complex issues such as gum disease, dental pain, and infection, and can place fillings.
If your teeth are crowded or too far apart, you should seek the help of an orthodontist. An orthodontist is trained to correct dental issues by the use of braces and other aligning and realigning techniques.
For problems with painful teeth and problematic root canals, go to an endodontist.
If you are not sure what is causing your problem, it is ok. A dentist can help you by examining your problem and then referring you to the proper specialist.
It’s usually best to have a professional evaluate your situation. Sometimes people find out about various treatments and decide they need that treatment, but this is usually not the case.
Understanding Your Options Before Starting Treatment
Medical treatment varies from patient to patient, and orthodontic treatment is no exception. Some factors that affect treatment choice may include the following: how teeth are positioned, the type of bite, the relationship of the jaws, oral health, and the goals of the patient. During an initial consultation, a professional will discuss your goals and the steps involved in order to achieve those goals.
To illustrate, during a consultation for traditional braces, a patient has the opportunity to discuss what type of bite problems he/she may have and the best treatment for that particular issue.
Choosing the Right Dental Care in Pune
This guide about dentist orthodontists helps understand your dental outing better. A dentist helps you maintain your oral health and plays a preventive role. An orthodontist helps you with your concerns related to alignment of your teeth and your bite.
Do you have issues related to your bite, misaligned or crowded teeth? Then you should consult an orthodontist for an evaluation and see if you are a good candidate for orthodontic treatment and the available treatment options. But if you have issues like a tooth infection, or a gum disease or any other issue related to your oral health, then you should consult a general dentist.
In Pune, you should meet a dentist and discuss your issues, get an evaluation and a diagnosis done and only then make an informed decision on the treatment.
Getting a personalized assessment can help you pick the best professional for your situation, and this is especially useful when a treatment involves multiple steps and/or different specialists. Dr. Mathesul Invisalign Orthodontist Braces & Dental Implant Clinic, based in Pune, offers Invisalign, braces and dental implants, as well as other dental services and treatment, and has a team of general dentists and orthodontists.
To find out which treatment options are available for you and to learn more about the orthodontic treatment process, contact Dr. Mathesul Invisalign Orthodontist Braces & Dental Implant Clinic, they will be happy to assist you.
Call us today at 8983101099 or email us at dailydentist@gmail.com to book your consultation.
Final Thought
An orthodontist and a dentist have differing specializations. A general dentist is responsible for a patient’s overall oral health. Oral and maxillofacial surgery specializes in treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the mouth, jaw, face, head, and neck. Orthodontists are able to treat deformities of the teeth and facial area using surgical and orthodontic corrections.
An orthodontist or a dentist? It really depends on your needs. Routine cleanings and check-ups are best left to your general dentist. On the other hand, concerns related to the malalignment of your teeth, crowding and spacing, and bites should be evaluated by an orthodontist. If you are not sure what care you need, a dental evaluation should point you in the right direction.
