Different From Dentists – Orthodontists Are Specialists

Dentists and orthodontists are two different disciplines.

Orthodontists don’t just treat children and teens. This is the first misconception that we would like to clear up.

There aren’t a lot of misconceptions about dentists. Everyone understands that a dentist is the doctor who takes care of teeth.

That said, what is the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist? Let’s take a look at a couple of the myths and inaccuracies about orthodontists.

Perhaps the biggest misunderstanding about the orthodontist is that they are just like your family dentist. In actuality these specialists are very different. While it’s true that both orthodontists and dentists are concerned about helping their patients have long a lifetime of good oral health, the two disciplines go about it differently.

For instance, you won’t make an appointment to see an orthodontist if you just need to have a cavity filled.  A dentist is also great at treating gum disease, tooth decay, toothaches, and other common oral health problems.

People see an orthodontist for very specific services. Most of the patients we see at Columbia Orthodontics are here because they have braces, or they need to be fitted with braces or another form of tooth-straightening device. In other words, you access an orthodontist if you have any concerns about the alignment of your teeth.

Children’s teeth may come in crooked. This happens for a number of reasons. Ideally, an orthodontist would take a look at a child’s teeth at around seven years of age. This is when it becomes possible to identify any problems with tooth alignment. Often family dentists refer children to an orthodontist once the adult teeth have fully grown in.

Another common misconception about orthodontists is that they only treat children. Granted, many orthodontic clinics, including Columbia Orthodontics have a lot of younger kids in the waiting room. We also have a lot of teenagers, several college students, and a large number of adults in there too.  This is because crooked teeth can be caused by a number of different factors. 

You can come in and see us at one of our three southwest Washington locations, or give us a call at 360-883-3800. Click here to learn more about Dr. Croft.