Posted on December 3, 2021 by Donald Cleavenger in Business

It is anyone’s dream to have a beautiful smile and this is something that can be achieved by anyone with the right help. An orthodontist can easily offer you the right assistance and support to make your dream a reality. You may wonder if there is a difference between a dentist and an orthodontist. The difference is that while they both have completed the same initial education, orthodontists go a little further and specialise in diagnosing and treating irregularities regarding the teeth and jaws. They will specialise in straightening crooked teeth, aligning jaws and treating bad bites.

In addition to the dentistry degree, an orthodontist undergoes specialist training in orthodontics. You don’t really need a referral for an orthodontist if you know what your issue is and whether that falls into the realm of orthodontics. You can simply book an appointment at the local clinic by searching for “orthodontist near me” in Google search. They will assess your oral health and your issue once you go in for the appointment and recommend corrective treatment. A dentist will be able to respond to the general oral health issues while an orthodontist will focus on jaw alignment and teeth straitening. While an orthodontist has the same training as a dentist to treat general oral health, they will specialise in their field more.

A dentist is similar to your family doctor and they can diagnose problems that will target teeth, gums and mouth to provide effective treatment. There is also cosmetic dentistry that is included which are tooth whitening procedures, dental veneers, crowns etc. Fitting braces and orthodontic treatments is not a speciality of dentists. When a patient requires these things, they will refer the patient to an orthodontist. Orthodontists have completed three years of training that includes orthodontics, biomechanics, biology, facial development and facial growth in addition to the dental degree. Orthodontic care can be given to people of all ages. Most people have a misconception that treatments such as braces are for children only and the effectiveness of braces will not be the same for an adult. However, adults can correct their teeth irregularities with braces as well. There are also more options that are available for adults that are not as visible as braces.

There are different treatment options that are available for tooth and facial irregularities so this is something that your orthodontist will inform you. For example, when it comes to braces, there are ceramic braces, lingual braces, metal braces and clear aligners like Invisalign. You will be able to make a decision on what you require based on your lifestyle and your budget. You also need to check whether your insurance covers this treatment as well. You need to get your child assessed by an orthodontist before or by the age of 7 as it is easier to treat irregularities early. Also, it is important to keep up with regular appointments when you are obtaining orthodontic care. An orthodontist will be able to help you build your confidence regarding your smile.