There is a lot of confusion around the differences between dentists and orthodontists – and who your child should work with. Let’s clear it up.
They both come to work each day looking to make their patients’ smiles a bit bolder and brighter. They both can look at the bite marks on a No. 2 pencil and talk for 10 minutes about who did it – and what they ate for breakfast. And they both like to purchase cheeky vanity plates for their cars like, “DR2TH” and “55SPH.” (Yes, that’s 55 smiles per hours, and it really does exist.)
But who is right for your child: an orthodontist or dentist? Reaching that answer takes a little bit of research and insight into their training, treatments options and even their philosophies.
What does it take to be an orthodontist or dentist?
Aspiring dentists may have gotten their start as a wee one while attempting to yank one of Fido’s incisors with a jump rope and a pair of safety scissors. Or maybe they took a slight left turn in their pursuit of traditional medicine toward oral hygiene somewhere during their undergraduate academic adventure.
But make no bones about it, whether one becomes an orthodontist or dentist, it’s hard work that not everyone is cut out for. All dentists endure the typical undergraduate college experience plus four additional years of dental school to obtain their DMD or DDS, which refers to doctor of dental medicine or doctor of dental surgery, respectively.
Your dentist is akin to your primary care physician and has a strong general knowledge around all things related to oral hygiene. They can clean teeth, repair cavities and so much more. In this analogy, the orthodontist is the specialist; in fact, it’s one of nine oral hygiene specialists you could be referred out to from your dentist. After putting in additional years of specialized study, orthodontists are charged with correcting patients’ bite or alignment through a number of different treatments. These range from preventive regimen, such as PEG (pre-eruption guidance), to more responsive orthodontic treatment options such as braces and retainers.
Around 7 years old – the age recommended by both the American Dental Association (ADA) and American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) – you should check with your dentist to see if your child requires a consultation with a qualified orthodontist.
What to expect from an orthodontist
If your dentist recommends that your child should seek a consultation with an orthodontist, there is no need to worry.
After all, 70 percent of the U.S. population qualifies for some level of orthodontic treatment. And the earlier you partner with an orthodontist to ensure your kid’s smile sparkles like his or her personality, the less likely it is you both have to deal with the cost or discomfort of braces.
It’s important that you and your child take the time to interview any potential orthodontists and feel comfortable with the professional who will lead your treatment.
Whether you’re ultimately working with an orthodontist or dentist to make sure your child’s oral hygiene is in tip top shape, rest assured that you’re in good, Latex-gloved hands. It’s not a question of if your kid will achieve that perfect smile, but simply a question of who will be along for the ride.
So, based on all of this information, do you think your child will be seeing a dentist and an orthodontist?
