Dentists and orthodontists are both dedicated to oral care and keeping your mouth healthy and happy. However, there are some important differences between the two. Dentistry is a broad medical specialty that deals with the teeth, gums, nerves and the jaw, while orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that focuses on correcting teeth bites, occlusion and straightness. All orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are licensed orthodontists.
General dentists are highly qualified professionals who care about the overall health, well-being, and beauty of your smile. Orthodontists are dentists who have received additional education to specialize in diagnosing, preventing, and correcting teeth and jaws that are out of position. They offer treatments to correct crowded teeth, spaces between teeth, teeth that protrude, and jaws that don't align properly. Orthodontists use x-rays and photographs of the teeth to create individualized treatment plans.
If you need dental treatment, you should call a general dentist for a diagnosis. It's important to remember that all orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists.
