What Does an Orthodontist Do and How Do They Differ From a Dentist?

Dr. Ana E. Castilla of Castilla Orthodontics has some tips to help patients near Keizer, OR to distinguish between a dentist and an orthodontist. The difference between an orthodontist and a dentist may be indistinguishable to some people. Something that many folks don’t know is that all orthodontists can be dentists, but not all dentists can be orthodontists. They are both certified oral health care professionals, both treat and maintain the health of your teeth and gums, and both have the education and experience to be called doctors. In these areas, they are pretty comparable. However, there are more differences than similarities.

What’s the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist?

All orthodontists require further schooling and more experience in their specialty (orthodontics) beyond their dental school training. A similar example would be if a medical doctor elects to take special training to become a surgeon. So, if a dentist has a patient with a dental malocclusion, they will refer them to an orthodontist for treatment.

What services do they provide?

Braces

One of the main treatment approaches orthodontists use to align and straighten teeth are traditional metal braces. Traditional braces are comprised of brackets, wires, and bands that straighten your teeth and which are continually tightened over a prescribed amount of time. Dr. Castilla also offer patients near Keizer, OR treatment with light-colored ceramic braces (for patients who do not want their braces to be noticeable) and even fun clear-colored bands for his youngest patients. Braces can also be indicated for patients with overbites, underbites, or overcrowded or gapped teeth. Braces are used by many patients to achieve a perfect-picture smile.

Space Maintainers

When baby teeth are lost earlier than normal, space fillers are used so that the neighboring teeth do not grow into the space meant for the adult tooth to grow into. These space maintainers are used to keep the gap open until more childhood teeth fall out and the adult teeth begin to grow in. Fixed space maintainers work with a band that is attached to one tooth and a wire that is extended across the gap to the tooth on the other side to stretch and keep the gap open.

Aligners

Like braces, aligners help to straighten and align teeth. Invisalign is one of the most often employed aligner systems, and is often indicated in cases of:

• underbites
• overbites
• open bites
• cross bites
• crowded teeth

Aligners like Invisalign are clear plastic trays that fit around your teeth and apply consistent pressure to straighten your teeth and contribute to your perfect smile.

Jaw Repositioning Appliances

Jaw repositioning appliances, sometimes called splints, are used to adjust either the upper or the lower jaw so that the whole jaw structure performs more naturally. Most often, this appliance is prescribed for patients with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).

Lip and Cheek Bumpers

Sometimes, patient’s lips and cheeks can put pressure on their teeth and cause pain or discomfort. Castilla Orthodontics recommends lip and cheek bumpers for these patients to help keep the lips and cheeks away from the teeth and thus reduce or eliminate the pressure, pain, or discomfort that the patient is experiencing.

Palatal Expander

A palatal expander is used to widen the curve of the upper jaw. It is a plastic tray which fits on the roof of the mouth and helps to better align the bones and joints in the mouth.

Removable Retainers

After orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign, using a retainer to keep the teeth from shifting back to their original positions is often indicated. Retainers are a plate that is placed on the roof of the mouth; a wire runs across the outside of the front teeth. Retainers may also be constructed as a plastic aligner. More often than not, these aligners are worn during the night.

Headgear

Headgear, usually, is a strap placed around the back of the head which is attached to a metal wire in the front of the mouth. An orthodontist prescribes headgear for patients who need to slow the growth of their jaw and to make sure that the patient’s teeth are in the right place and fit nicely within the jaw.

Any Questions?

Dr. Ana E. Castilla and the team at Castilla Orthodontics can help answer any questions you might have about orthodontics near Keizer, OR. If you still have questions about the differences between dentistry and orthodontics, or to schedule an appointment, contact Castilla Orthodontics near Keizer, OR today at: 503-399-0721