When I started my studies at a Dental college, I only knew Dentist was the doctor who treats teeth problems. Then as my studies progressed, I realised that Dentistry had 9 specialities.So in dentistry certain treatments are done by the Specialists who are trained for 3 years at the Postgraduate level. So they have a better knowledge about the current trends and updates of the treatments. Out of the 9 specialties, Orthodontics is one of them. Many people assume Dentists and Orthodontists are the same but they are not.Both dentists and orthodontists care for oral health, their roles are different.
Main Difference Between a Dentist and an Orthodontist
Dentist: General oral health professional. They are trained to do basic treatments like dental fillings, dental scaling, dental extractions. In India the degree name is BDS ( Bachelor in Dental Surgery) or Dental Surgeon.
Orthodontist: Specialist who are trained to align and straighten teeth with braces and jaw alignment. In India the degree name is MDS in Orthodontics.
Orthodontist vs. Dentist : What You Need to Know
Education and Training
In order to obtain a dental degree, a person has to undergo 5 years of dental training including 1 year internship at a Dental College during which he/she is trained about the different aspects of Head, neck and teeth.After attaining a basic dental degree, the dentist has to undergo 3 years of postgraduate training to obtain a Master degree ( MDS in Orthdontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics).
Services They Provide
Dentist: Dentists provide the basic treatment services like dental cleanings, fillings, crowns, preventive care in children, and removable dentures.
Orthodontist: Orthodontists provide the Specialist treatment like Dental Braces, Clear aligners (like Invisalign), retainers and skeletal jaw correction in children above 12 years.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Specialist
When Human health is concerned, it is always imperative to know whom to get treatment advice regarding any form of ailments because better outcomes comes from targeted care. Likewise in Dentistry, for speciality treatment like orthodontic braces or aligners, it is very important to consult an Orthodontist. It ensures there are no delays or unnecessary treatments. It helps boost our own confidence by seeing the right expert from the start. Dr Bobby’s Orthodontics & Dental Specialty Care provides advanced orthodontic services.
All orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. So if you feel misaligned or crooked teeth to be corrected, it is important to consult a Specialist Orthodontist. A Specialist is also the right person who can say NO to a treatment because certain treatments can be useful for one person but may be harmful to another. Contact Dr. Bobby’s Dental Clinic to learn which provider is right for you.