385 N. Grant St. Canby, Oregon 97013

385 N. Grant St. Canby, Oregon 97013

Orthodontist vs. Dentist: Who’s Best for Your Needs?

You probably know that if you need braces, you go to an orthodontist. But do you know when you should first see an orthodontist? What does an orthodontist do? What’s the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist?

Ohana Orthodontics specializes in treatment with braces or Invisalign clear aligners. Some patients want to know if they can skip the dentist while they’re getting treatment with us. They may not understand the role of their dentist during orthodontic treatment. 

Let’s explore the differences between a dentist and an orthodontist and why you need both during braces or Invisalign treatment.

orthodontist canby

What Is a Dentist? 

What is a dentist, and what is the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist? It’s understandable that people get confused between the two because one can be both, but the other can’t. 

A dentist is someone who trains in general dentistry at a dental school or a school with a dental program. Once they graduate from there, they are ready to work in general dentistry. 

Dentists are trained to perform all the things you’d expect from a dentist: cleaning teeth, filling cavities, providing fluoride treatments, installing crowns, and examining your mouth for dental problems from crooked teeth to oral cancer. 

They may be able to spot crooked teeth, but a dentist isn’t trained to treat them. That’s where an orthodontist comes in. 

What Is an Orthodontist? 

An orthodontist starts out the same way as a dentist — with dental school. Just like a dentist, an orthodontist must complete dental training and graduate with a dental degree. Is an orthodontist a dentist? Technically, yes, but they have that additional training to make them an orthodontist.

Where the dentist can move on to private practice, the orthodontist must continue their education. They have to get a special certification in orthodontics in order to practice as an orthodontist. 

With this training, an orthodontist can perform treatments that involve moving teeth into their proper places and other things in the orthodontist job description. A specialist in orthodontics learns how to correct bad bites, move teeth, expand palates, and keep everything in place after treatment using retainers. 

The bottom line is all orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists.

orthodontist in canby or

When Do I Visit a Dentist or an Orthodontist?

You now know the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist. So who do you visit and when? Do orthodontists only do braces? What is considered an orthodontic procedure? 

As orthodontists, Ohana Orthodontics treats patients with braces or Invisalign, as well as other orthodontic tools, such as retainers, palate expanders, and tongue cribs. The dentist will take care of cleaning your teeth (not us!), filling any cavities, or providing crowns or caps. 

When you come to Ohana Orthodontics, we will take care of orthodontic procedures such as straightening your crooked teeth, repairing your bad bite, and keeping everything straight afterward with retainers. We use braces or Invisalign to straighten your teeth and repair your overbite, underbite, crossbite, deep bite, open bite, gap teeth, or crowded teeth. 

Do I Still Visit a Dentist?

So does that mean you won’t need to visit the dentist during your treatment time with us? Definitely not! 

You still need to visit your dentist for your semi-annual cleanings and examinations. They will let us know if any issues pop up, such as cavities or gum disease. The sooner such issues are caught, the less delay you may have on your orthodontic treatment.

It’s vital you keep up with your good oral hygiene habits during your braces or Invisalign treatment. This includes keeping up with your semi-annual dental visits for cleaning and examination. It also includes brushing and flossing your teeth every day. 

Neglecting to clean your teeth during braces treatment can leave behind white spots on your teeth. That’s why we encourage you to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. Here’s a tip: Use a floss threader to make it easier to floss, and try an electric toothbrush if your manual one isn’t reaching around your brackets well enough.

straight teeth in canby or

When Should I See an Orthodontist?

Your dentist may recommend orthodontic treatment if they believe you need it for proper biting and chewing or if you exhibit symptoms that can be fixed with treatment, such as headaches, jaw pain, damage from tooth grinding, or an incorrect bite.

You don’t have to wait for the dentist to spot a problem to see an orthodontist. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends your child consult with an orthodontist by age 7. That’s when most of the baby teeth are in, and the permanent teeth are poised to erupt once the primary teeth fall out. 

Orthodontic Treatment in Canby, OR

If you’re in the Canby, OR, area and you suspect you need orthodontic treatment, or if your child is ready to see an orthodontist for the first time, you can schedule an appointment with us for an evaluation. 

Whether you come to us through your dentist or on your own, we’ll tell you what type of treatment you will need, if any. We will work with your dentist to ensure your teeth stay clean and healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment.

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