What is the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist?

Dentists and orthodontists are both highly skilled dental professionals, who work together to improve and maintain your overall oral health. Both dentists and orthodontists complete a five year general dental degree. Orthodontists further their studies with an additional three years of full time university training in the field of orthodontics, or in other words, complete an extra 5000 hours of specialist orthodontic training.

Dentists are experts in general dental care which encompasses diagnosing and treating problems and common diseases of the mouth, teeth and gums. They maintain good oral health of their patients, manage tooth aches, restore function to broken and decayed teeth, perform minor oral surgery procedures, manage some types of gum disease, and provide aesthetic treatments such as crowns, veneers, and tooth whitening. Unlike orthodontists, dentists are not trained at University in braces, aligners and overseeing orthodontic treatments. Most dentists will refer their patients who require orthodontic treatment to an orthodontist.

Orthodontists are trained after their general dental qualification to become experts in facial growth and development, dental development, and the treatment of malaligned teeth and jaws. They are highly skilled at diagnosing orthodontic conditions, such as crooked teeth, bad bites and poorly aligned jaws, and they employ a range of treatment modalities to remedy such conditions in patients of all ages.

The take home message is that all orthodontists are dentists, but dentists are not orthodontists. Hence, it is recommended to see an orthodontist for orthodontics because that’s what they are trained to do, and indeed do all the time.

At Olivia Rogers Orthodontics, you will feel reassured that you’re in the right hands. Olivia completed her undergraduate dental degree at The University of Queensland with first Class Honours, and went on to obtain her specialist qualification at The University of Sydney. She brings her qualifications and experience to her patients at The Gap, right here in Brisbane.