What’s the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist? You see a dentist twice a year for a professional teeth cleaning and examination. Do you need to see an orthodontist, too? Can a dentist provide braces treatment? 

Petrous Orthodontics provides orthodontic treatment, and while Dr. Petrous is a dentist, too, we leave dentistry services to the dentists. That’s because we specialize in orthodontics, the movement of teeth and realignment of bites. 

When do you need an orthodontist vs. a dentist? Can a dentist provide braces treatment? Can an orthodontist clean your teeth? Let’s look at the differences between a dentist and an orthodontist. 

What Is a Dentist?

It may seem that dentistry and orthodontics are the same, but they are different. A dentist graduates from dental school or a dental program after intense training in oral health care. Dentists must undergo residency training, which means they work alongside professional dentists to learn how to perform dentistry services. 

To become a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery), you must: 

• Complete dental school
• Earn a master’s degree in dental science
• Train alongside a professional dentist

Once they’ve earned their DDS degree and completed their residency, they can open their own dental practice. Dentists can then perform general dentistry services such as: 

• Teeth cleanings
• Reading of dental images and X-rays
• Filling cavities
• Placing dental implants
• Performing fluoride treatments
• Placing crowns
• Placing bridges

While dentists can perform many services, they are not fully trained in orthodontics. All orthodontists started as dentists, but they had to go a step further to become orthodontists. 

What Is an Orthodontist?

The difference between an orthodontist and a dentist is in the training. A dentist must undergo extra training and receive special certification to become an orthodontist. 

Once a person earns their dentistry degree, they can practice as a dentist or continue into a specialty field. This can include practices such as dental surgery, pediatric dentistry, or orthodontics. 

To become an orthodontist, a dentist must continue in a special certification program for orthodontics. That person must undergo special training to learn how to move teeth properly and repair bites. After this specialized training, they can become certified as an orthodontist. 

An orthodontist can:

• Move teeth using traditional metal braces or clear braces
• Move teeth with other types of braces, such as lingual braces or self-ligating braces
• Fit patients with orthodontic appliances such as palate expanders and splints
• Provide treatment with clear aligners
• Fit patients with retainers after braces treatment
• Place space maintainers

Dentist vs. Orthodontist

When do I see a dentist vs. an orthodontist? Where do I get braces? Where do I get cleanings? Think of it this way — a dentist takes care of your teeth to keep them clean and healthy, and they repair individual tooth damage, such as tooth decay, cracks, or breaks. An orthodontist takes care of your teeth collectively, moving them to where they should be and aligning them as a whole, otherwise known as repairing your bite. 

Every patient with teeth should see a dentist at least twice a year for a professional cleaning and examination. Not every patient will need an orthodontist. Those with straight teeth and bites won’t be referred to an orthodontist. 

On average, more than half of children in the U.S. end up needing orthodontic treatment. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children consult with an orthodontist by age 7 to determine whether they will need braces. 

Where Do I Get Braces?

There have been some dentists who have offered braces treatment, some promising faster or less expensive treatment than with an orthodontist. Other dentists offer treatment with clear aligners. However, dentists lack the proper training to move teeth effectively, and the results don’t always turn out well. 

A common misperception is that orthodontists charge more for orthodontic treatment than dentists, but in reality, the cost of orthodontics is based on the complexity of treatment. There can be dangers associated with receiving treatment from a general dentist who is not certified in orthodontics. Some dentists pay for membership to societies such as the “International Association of Orthodontics,” where members are not really orthodontists and are not defined by their training but by what they can do.

Most dentists will refer patients for orthodontic work, including braces or Invisalign treatment. Orthodontists, including Dr. Petrous, will refer patients to dentists when they need a cavity filled, a root canal, or a cracked tooth repaired. 

In general, visit your dentist if you need your teeth cleaned or individual teeth repaired. See an orthodontist if you need braces or Invisalign to move your teeth. 

Orthodontic Braces Treatment in Royal Oak, MI

If you’re looking for a certified orthodontist in Royal Oak, MI, who can give you the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve, look no further than Dr. Jerek Petrous or Dr. Jade Cook at Petrous Orthodontics. Schedule a consultation with orthodontists who will give you an exceptional orthodontic experience.