It’s important to get your teeth checked by a dentist, who then may refer you to an orthodontist Glasgow. But what’s the difference between a dentist and orthodontist?
How Are They Similar?
Orthodontists and dentists both help patients improve their oral health, but in different ways. The main similarity between them is that they are both focused on oral care. An orthodontist can also work in a dental office and provide patients with the same care that dentists can, however, there are more differences than similarities.
How Are They Different?
Orthodontists are more qualified than dentists, in a sense. They require additional education as orthodontics is considered a dental speciality; this is a similar situation to a doctor obtaining further training to become a surgeon.
Orthodontists specialise in fixing problems to do with the alignment of teeth, improving their bite and fixing braces or other teeth and jaw correcting devices. Whereas dentists aid more in oral hygiene. If a patient has bite issues (such as overbite or underbite) or they have teeth alignment issues, then a dentist is likely to refer them to an orthodontist.
Dentists focus on things such as;
- Tooth decay
- Root canals
- Gum disease
- Crowns
- Bridges
- Veneers
- Teeth whitening
Orthodontists are also trained as dentists, but have specialised in the alignment of teeth and provide services relating to;
- Misaligned teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
What an Orthodontist Can Help With
Orthodontists help with crooked teeth but then can also help with issues such as;
- Overbites, underbites, crossbites
- Spaces between teeth
- Overcrowding of teeth
- Treatment from temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
- Other additional problems with jaw
Although some dentists may be trained in some orthodontic care, you will probably feel more confident going to an orthodontist as they have specialised in this field. As they can provide you will a more extensive variety of options. This includes methods such as;
- Fixed braces
- Removable braces
- Functional appliances
- Headgear
- Aligners
- Invisalign
- Lingual braces
- Retainers
- Teeth removal
How Long Will Orthodontic Treatment Take?
The average treatment time for orthodontics is 18-24 months, but this will be dependent on how severe the problems are that they are trying to fix. Ways to ensure the treatment is as successful as possible include;
- Taking good care of teeth
- Wearing your appliances as instructed
- Following your orthodontists’ dietary advice
- Wearing your retainer to maintain results
Where to Find an Orthodontist Glasgow?
If you think you may have problems with your bite, or have noticeable misalignment of the teeth then you may want to consider going to an orthodontist. It can be tricky as there are so many out there. But why not try and hit two birds with one stone? Some dental clinics have both in-house dentists and orthodontists, making them a one-stop shop for all of your dental needs.