The Differences Between Orthodontists and Dentists

Most people are aware that orthodontists are different from dentists. However, many people aren’t aware of just what those differences are.

While dentists and orthodontists both take care of your teeth, dentists perform routine dental services, such as cleaning teeth, treating cavities, and even extracting damaged teeth. Orthodontists, on the other hand, specialize in fixing teeth irregularities. While most of the time this translates to installing braces, orthodontists may also perform surgery in order to align a patient’s teeth and even, potentially, their entire jaw.

This also means that orthodontists have to have higher qualifications than dentists. Orthodontists must comply with all the requirements that dentists have to have, and they also have to have completed a post-dental school residency that can take two to three years. They also have to complete several hours of orthodontic training before they are considered fully qualified.

While orthodontists and dentists take care of different aspects of your oral health, both professions have the same goal—to make sure your teeth are healthy and strong. To find out more about the differences between dentists and orthodontists, read the infographic below.