What’s the Difference Between a Dentist and an Orthodontist?

Dentists and orthodontists both assist patients in improving their oral health, but they each treat different conditions, and in different ways. The practice of dentistry is a comprehensive medical field that deals with teeth, gums, nerves, and the jaw. Orthodontics is a subspecialty within the field of dentistry that deals with occlusion, correction of bite correction and crooked teeth. Your dentist in Turlock, CA can tell you more about this distinction.

Commonalities Between Dentists and Orthodontists

A dentist and an orthodontist share certain commonalities. An orthodontist can technically offer the same services as a dentist, because they also hold a dentist’s license. Both professionals work with the teeth and gums and jaw and are considered physicians.

Differences Between a Dentist and an Orthodontist

Orthodontists specialize in assisting patients with tooth alignment, bite improvement, and the fitting of corrective braces and gadgets. They treat these conditions in particular. A dentist will recommend a patient to an orthodontist if he or she has an overbite. When that has been taken care of, the dentist will take over long-term treatment of the patient. Often, a patient who suffers from things like overbites and underbites, overcrowding of teeth and gaps between teeth, will see both an orthodontist and a general dentist so that all of their needs can be attended to simultaneously. For example, if a patient is treated with braces, they will be treated by the orthodontist and also have visits with their dentist.

What Are Dentist Specialties?

A DDS-licensed dentist in Turlock, CA can take care of a wide range of treatments, including teeth whitening, dental crowns, dental veneers in Turlock, CA, extractions, bonding, periodontal care, sleep apnea, dental implants, full and partial dentures, and much more.

You can rely on Progressive Health Dental for all of your dental needs. Contact us to book your appointment today, or to get more information about our services.