Orthodontists and Dentists: What’s the Difference?
Orthodontists and dentists both go to dental school, but there are several major differences between the two professions. That’s because to become an orthodontist, at least three more years of specialized education from an accredited university is required. This education gives orthodontists the knowledge and skills required to diagnose and treat dental and facial irregularities.
Why Should You Choose an Orthodontist?
You wouldn’t bring your car to a TV repairman, so why would you ask a dentist to do something they’re not trained to do? An orthodontist has specialized training from an accredited university to diagnose and treat your orthodontic issues. This becomes particularly clear when you visit your Molen orthodontists. Thanks to our training and experience with innovative treatments, we’re able to provide our patients with the highest standard of care, ensuring they achieve the results they are looking for.
From time to time, we meet with patients who have been led to believe that their dentist was trained to perform orthodontic procedures. It is possible to take courses online or on the weekend to achieve certifications or membership in a dental-orthodontic association but this is in no way the same as training daily for three years at an accredited university with a residency program.
You Deserve a Smile That Must be Molen
At Molen Orthodontics, we treat our patients as we would members of our own families—we go the extra mile, and we spare no expense to give you the smile you deserve. We create customized treatment plans to provide you with a smile that looks completely natural, all while perfectly complementing your facial features.
The first step in having the smile you deserve is stopping into our offices for your initial consultation. From there, we’ll discuss your goals, as well as answer any questions you may have, and develop a treatment plan that we’re sure will have you smiling. Contact us to schedule your FREE consultation. Or, for more information on orthodontic treatment, we encourage you to download our FREE whitepaper: The Cost of Braces & What To Expect: A Patient’s Manual.
Thanks for the helpful information! I have always wondered how much of the work orthodontists do could be done by dentists. Thanks for including why to choose an orthodontist. It is good to know that it is really important to find someone who is trained to do the right procedures.
Thanks for this helpful post on some of the differences between a dentist and an orthodontist. I have honestly never really heard of a dentist doing things like braces. I like your comparison on bringing a car to a TV repairman. I will make sure to go to an orthodontist when I need to. Thanks for the help!
I didn’t realize how important orthodontic treatment can be for your children! I haven’t taken my kids to an orthodontist before, so it’s probably about time that I do that. I want to make sure they have nice teeth growing up, after all! Thanks for sharing.
You can always come in and see us! It is always complimentary and we have fun programs like our KidsClub to make the visit comfortable and fun.
I guess it is like bringing a car to a TV repairman if you go to the dentist for something an orthodontist should do. Like most kids I had braces and I am glad my parents were smart enough to take me to an orthodontist to do the work. My teeth turned out great! Thanks for the info.
Perfect comparison! I will have to use that in the future!
I had no idea that orthodontists required additional training over dental school. I’ve been looking at getting braces and I always thought that a dentist could do that. I’ll have to specifically seek out a orthodontist to make sure I get the care I’m looking for. Thanks for the info!
Thanks for the post. I like that orthodontist have gone through additional education to be able to know how to fix issues with teeth and the jaw. I also like that they also have the same education as dentists. That really helps me to feel confident that they will be able to do what is right for me.
I’ve been trying to decide whether or not I should take my son to an orthodontist to align his teeth. I didn’t realize that it’s what they specialize in completely! I’ll be sure to do that, since I want to treat it sooner rather than later. Thanks for sharing!
That is pretty amazing that an orthodontist has about 3 years more schooling and training than regular dentists. I think it is worth taking advantage of their expertise and knowledge. When you are working on something as important as your smile you want to get the best service you can.
I agree with the point you make about the importance of asking an orthodontist about getting braces and not dentists. Dentists are still important, but like you point out, why would you ask them to do something that they are not trained to do? There are so many around to choose from, so it comes down to figuring out what is important to your family and yourself in terms of braces.
Thank you so much for this arlctie, it saved me time!
Wow, dental school is already pretty long. It is crazy that orthodontist have to go to 3 years of extra school. Makes me respect the profession that much more.
I agree that when choosing an orthodontist you should go with a qualified professional with specialized training. It is interesting that dentists can obtain orthodontist training through online courses. Because braces are an expensive and noticeable investment, it could be a good idea to seek a professional with training that is not only accredited but also reputable. This seems like a good way to obtain the best quality.
I really liked your comparison of taking the car to the tv repairman being like going to the dentist to do the job an orthodontist is trained to do. I’ve got a daughter who is going to be needing braces, and the dentist offered a couple of options, but I think that seeing an orthodontist would be a smart choice. Hopefully we can find a good orthodontist who she likes and who can help us get her teeth taken care of!