Everyone has been to a dentist. In fact, it is advised that you go to a dentist at least a couple times a year. And at some point, typically when you are younger, your Clinique Dentaire Des Cedres dentist might advise that you should see an orthodontist. These are not the same thing, of course, but have you ever wondered what the difference is?
What Does a Dentist Do?
As you know, a dentist is the doctor who examines your teeth to determine their health. When you visit a dentist you actually have your teeth cleaned, though, by the dental hygienist. The hygienist is the one who you initially see when you sit in the examination chair. They are often the one who cleans your teeth with the water pick and administers the fluoride treatment. They might also do some of the scraping. You may also get a visit from a dental assistant; but they handle more of the administrative aspects of your visit.
The dentist, however, is a doctor who examines both your dental x-rays as well as your actual teeth to advice on what steps you might need to take in order to improve your dental health. They might also suggest having a procedure to fill a cavity or to intervene before tooth decay sets in.
In brief, you might see a dentist to address:
- bridges
- crowns
- gum disease
- root canals
- teeth whitening
- tooth decay
- veneers
What Does An Orthodontist Do?
It is important to note that an orthodontist has much of the same schooling as a dentist. In fact, they can often perform many of the same tasks, examinations, and procedures as a dentist. Orthodontists actually train to receive a special certification which allows them to analyze and advise on not just teeth but, more importantly, the jaw.
Basically, an orthodontist is the person you see when you are considering braces (or when your dentists advise that you might need braces).
In brief, you might see an orthodontist to address teeth alignment problems (which often results in braces, etc.):
- crowded teeth
- misaligned teeth
- overbite
- under bite
