If you’re considering braces for yourself or your children, you may be wondering, “What is an orthodontist, and what does an orthodontist do?”
While you may hear friends or family refer to any teeth specialist as a dentist, an orthodontist is much more specialized.
In this article, you’ll learn all about orthodontics and the answers to common questions such as:
- What is orthodontia?
- What is the difference between a dentist and orthodontist?
- What do you do as an orthodontist?
- When should I visit a dentist or an orthodontist doctor?
Beyond giving you a boost of self-confidence, did you know smiling can improve your mood, reduce stress, and even boost your immune health? Having an orthodontist that you can trust is essential to perfecting and maintaining that all-important smile.
So, what does an orthodontist do exactly? We’re here to clarify the true orthodontist definition and share all the ways an orthodontist doctor can improve your oral health (and your life)!
All About Orthodontics: Common Questions and Answers
There are many different facets to orthodontics, and learning why this type of doctor is essential to your overall health begins with a proper orthodontist definition.
What Is An Orthodontist? (And Why Are They Important?)
If you’ve never visited one, you may be wondering, “What is an orthodontist?” and “What is Orthodontia?”
An orthodontist is a type of dentist that specializes in correcting, realigning, and treating misaligned teeth and irregular jaws. Orthodontia is just the name given to this sector within dentistry.
We’ve also had patients ask us, “What do you do as an orthodontist?” Though we can talk all about orthodontics all day, we’ll share our main areas of focus.
Orthodontists use proven treatments to:
- Maximize oral health
- Minimize jaw discomfort
- Cosmetically improve appearances
- Promote better breathing
- Treat speech problems
- Prevent future dental problems
Sounds incredible, right? Let’s explore more about “What does an orthodontist do?” below.
What Does An Orthodontist Do?
Orthodontists are experts in braces and Invisalign and offer a variety of corrective treatments to straighten teeth. They strategically place braces, retainers, attachments, and expanders to apply gentle pressure on the teeth and jawbone to move them into the correct position.
Orthodontic professionals also have training to treat a wide range of ages. Whether you’re a parent of a child who may need early treatment or you’re an adult looking for a straighter smile, orthodontists can help.
What Is The Difference Between A Dentist And Orthodontist?
The main difference between a dentist and an orthodontist is that orthodontists specialize in treating teeth, mouth, and jaw misalignment or irregularities.
Dentists train for years to be able to:
- Perform oral exams
- Diagnose problems
- Treat cavities
- Provide care for injuries or diseases of the teeth
- Perform corrective procedures
Orthodontists are technically also dentists as they complete the same foundational training. However, orthodontists continue on for an additional 2-3 years of education to further specialize in orthodontia.
The special training orthodontists receive to move teeth make it necessary to get their opinion and guidance on alignment solutions.
So, how do you know when it’s time to make an appointment with a top orthodontist?
When Should I Visit A Dentist Or An Orthodontist Doctor?
While a general dentist can treat oral health issues such as cavities and gum disease, other problems like misaligned teeth and overbites require an orthodontist.
If you’re a parent, then it’s suggested that you take your child to see an orthodontist around the age of 7 or 8. At this age, an orthodontist can address any early issues and help set your child up for orthodontic success in their pre-teen and teen years.
However, orthodontia isn’t age-specific. Even if you’re in your adult years, you can still quality and benefit from orthodontic treatment. Having any of the following alignment issues can qualify you for orthodontic treatment:
- Overcrowded teeth
- Crooked or misaligned jawline
- Deep bite
- Crossbite
- Underbite
- Protruding jaw
A trained orthodontist doctor can correct many of the above issues through Invisalign or braces.
Orthodontists also offer preventative treatment plans that promote good oral hygiene and help prevent future problems from occurring. Treating issues at their earliest stages can save patients a lot of time, discomfort, and money in the long run.
What It Takes To Become An Orthodontist
Students must meet many rigorous requirements to become an orthodontist.
Orthodontists need at least a four-year undergrad degree, usually in the form of bachelor’s or master’s degrees. From there, prospective students must attend dental school (which generally requires an undergraduate major or coursework in sciences like biology and chemistry).
Upon successful completion of dental school, all students are considered dentists. However, additional training in a post-graduate program is required to become an orthodontist.
The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) is the governing body for orthodontic treatment in the United States. They provide certification to dental professionals who meet the following requirements:
- Degree from an accredited college or university with at least four years of education and two years dedicated to relevant coursework
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in dentistry
- Doctorate degree in orthodontics
- Residency program (1 or 2 years)
- Licensure and certification from the American Dental Association
- Membership in the American Association of Orthodontists (preferred)
If you’re considering seeking orthodontic treatment for yourself or your family, the above list of required experience should give you peace of mind.
Trusting an orthodontist is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for one of your most essential features, so be sure to do your research to find a specialist you feel comfortable with.
When Should I Visit An Orthodontist or Dentist?
So, when should you schedule your next visit with a dentist or orthodontist? The answer depends on the issues you’re facing.
If you’re experiencing pain or a problem with your teeth, schedule an appointment right away with your dentist. General dentists can usually help with issues like cavities and gum disease.
Are you uncomfortable or unhappy with your smile? Orthodontists are best suited to treat problems such as teeth alignment and bite appearance. So if this is you, it’s time to visit your orthodontist and find out if you’re a candidate for Invisalign or traditional braces.
Team Up With Bates Orthodontics For Your Tooth Alignment Needs
Now that you know all about orthodontics, we hope you feel more confident about taking the next steps in your oral health journey. You have the answers to important questions, like:
- What Is An Orthodontist?
- What is orthodontia?
- What is the difference between a dentist and orthodontist?
- What do you do as an orthodontist?
- When should I visit a dentist or an orthodontist doctor?
At Bates Orthodontics, we have a team of specialists who can provide you with the highest quality orthodontic care. Our orthodontists have years of experience correcting smiles and treating patients with various orthodontic issues. Whether you’re a child, teen, or adult, we’ve got the orthodontic solution that can make your smile sparkle and shine.
If you’d like to learn more about braces or Invisalign treatments in the Richmond, VA area, contact us at Bates Orthodontics today. We are always happy to help our patients understand their options and find ways to improve their smiles!
