Orthodontists’ vs Dentists. Know All About It Here

Whenever we plan to get our teeth aligned or visit someone specialising in oral healthcare for a general check-up, we usually hear two terms – dentist and orthodontist. We often get confused and wonder what the difference is between the former and the latter. Though similar, both hold a few differences. So, if you too get confused between the two, you have come to the right place. This article talks about the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist.

Let us start by talking about what is an orthodontist.

What is an orthodontist?

An orthodontist is a trained oral healthcare doctor specialising in treating your gums, teeth, etc. They further specialise in teeth alignment and fixing orthodontic issues, such as overbite, underbite, crowded teeth, etc. A dentist does not hold the specialisation to align your teeth.

What are the key areas of an orthodontist?

A few of the key functions/areas of an orthodontist are as follows –

1. Fixing your orthodontic issues with the help of clear aligners, braces and retainers.
2. Analysing the facial changes in growing teens and children
3. Diagnoses of oral issues, such as overbite and underbite, etc.
4. Helps in improving your overall oral health and reducing the risk of other oral problems, such as plaque formation, discolouration of teeth, trouble while chewing, etc.
5. Fixing the damage to teeth, bone and jaw
6. Fixing the chewing movement, etc.

What is a dentist?

Dentists are basically general practitioners of oral health and do not hold the specialisation of aligning your teeth or fixing your orthodontic issues. They help you with cleaning and general maintenance of your teeth and tongue.

What are the key areas of a dentist?

A few of the key functions/areas of a dentist are as follows –

1. Filling in cavities
2. Teeth whitening
3. Taking dental X-Rays
4. Fixing broken and wear and tear of teeth
5. Analysing the oral healthcare, especially for growing children and teens

How are orthodontists and dentists similar to each other?

The main similarity between an orthodontist and a dentist is that they both focus on improving your oral hygiene.

How are orthodontists and dentists different to each other?

The difference between an orthodontist and a dentist is that the former requires an additional degree for specialisation in fixing your orthodontic issues, such as crossbite, overbite, etc. and aligning your smile, whereas the latter does not hold this specialisation.

Orthodontist or dentist: which one should you prefer?

We often get confused when it comes to choosing whether we should see an orthodontist or a doctor. If you have a general oral problem, such as cavities, cleaning of teeth, etc., you can always consult a general practitioner or a dentist. In case you are looking for a smile makeover and getting your orthodontic issues, then going for an orthodontist is the right choice. They improve your overall oral health and ensure that you have an aligned and a celeb-like smile.

Orthodontists at toothsi

The orthodontists at toothsi are among the top orthodontists in India who have great knowledge and experience of 10+ years. Apart from this, they have designed over 1,00,000+ smiles from all across the country. They work with immense dedication and ensure that you get the dream smile you have been looking for! What’s more? They are well-equipped with the latest technology that goes behind aligning your smile. Our technology includes class apart 3D technology for digitally printing your clear aligners. So, if you are looking for a smile makeover or guidance from top orthodontists, toothsi is your ultimate destination. Book your online session today!