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Dentist or Orthodontist? What’s the Difference?

Home » Blog » Dentist or Orthodontist? What’s the Difference?

Castilla Orthodontics
August 1, 2016

Dr. Ana Castilla of Castilla Orthodontics near Dallas, OR has some tips to help patients 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?

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?

Dentists typically deal problems like:

  • Gum Disease
  • Tooth Decay
  • Root Canals
  • Crowns
  • Bridges
  • Veneers
  • Tooth Whitening

An orthodontist is a dentist that specializes in the alignment of your teeth, and their services typically are employed to correct:

  • Underbite
  • Overbite
  • Crowded teeth
  • Misaligned teeth

Traditional braces, Invisalign clear aligners, and other corrective treatments are methods an orthodontist might use to treat these issues.

What Kind of Care Do You Need?

Orthodontists help with crooked teeth, underbites and overbites, crossbites, spaces between teeth, overcrowded teeth, and the effective treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. An orthodontist should be consulted for other jaw issues as well. While your dentist may be qualified to offer their patients fillings, TMJ treatments, and other orthodontic care, putting your smile in the hands of a qualified professional orthodontist can help a patient to experience better treatment outcomes.

Any Questions?

Dr. Ana Castilla and the team at Castilla Orthodontics can help answer any questions you might have about orthodontics near Dallas, OR. If you still have questions about the differences between dentistry and orthodontics, or to schedule an appointment, call: 503.399.0721

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Your initial appointment is free and provides Dr. Castilla an opportunity to evaluate your needs and address any concerns you have about your smile. Schedule your free consultation and start your smile journey today!

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Our 5-Star Experience

Hear what our patients are saying about their experience with us!

Emanuel Ramírez M.
Excelente , atienden muy amable , te explican todo lo que tú quieres saber , muy buenas personas
Alexandra H.
Very friendly staff, has helped my son and his underbite, office is always warm and welcoming
Ana B.
Exelente servicio son muy amable 100 por siento recomendable
Jessica A.
Castilla's Orthodontist team is
the best in town. They possess a high level of expertise in their field. They are great communicators with amazing customer service!
Sydny L.
Very kind and meets all my needs for my braces!!!!
Isela Leon G.
A mi me gusta estar aqui y que dan buen servicio..
Mayra R.
Muy buen servicio, el personal es agradable me responden cualquier duda q tenga y mis resultados me están gustando.
Hacen un buen trabajo 👌
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mayra, for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you appreciate our friendly staff and are happy with your results. Your satisfaction is our top priority. We look forward to seeing you again!
Lilybeth Cabrera M.
Best orthodontist I’ve been seen by , I already miss my braces ! 100% recommend !!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Lilybeth! We're thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience with us. Your recommendation means a lot, and we look forward to seeing you again!
Elisa Z.
Love the customer service here. Staff is always warm and welcoming and I'm in and out in no time! My results are coming along and look amazing! Thanks Castilla's!!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Elisa! We're thrilled to hear you love our customer service and are seeing great results. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your kind words. Looking forward to your next visit!
Arturo
El personal muy amable cualquier información que necesite es fácil muy profesionales
Response from the owner:Thank you, Arturo, for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that our team provided you with friendly and professional service. Your satisfaction is our top priority. We look forward to seeing you again!
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We proudly offer affordable orthodontic treatment to patients from Salem, Dallas, Keizer, Monmoth, Mt. Angel, Silverton, Stayton, Sublimity, Woodburn, and the surrounding areas of Marion County.

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  • 434 Lancaster Drive NE
    Salem, OR 97301

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  • (503) 399-0721

Office Hours

Monday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

ADDRESS

  • 434 Lancaster Drive NE
    Salem, OR 97301

CALL OR TEXT

  • (503) 399-0721

Office Hours

Monday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Salem

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