For a lot of the population, the only thing dentists and orthodontists have in common is knowing stuff about teeth. And that’s about where the knowledge stops! Well, at Charvet Dental Center, our team can effectively explain the difference, as well as why you still need to see a dentist during your orthodontic treatment.
Telling Us Apart
A lot of times, when people are searching for new dental treatment, they initially find themselves puzzled while researching types of offices online. So, what exactly is the difference? These are some of the main qualities of dentists and orthodontists:
General Dentists:
- Professionals like Dr. Hunter and Dr. Hunter Jr. Charvet are comparable to primary care physicians in the medical field.
- We provide many dental services, including diagnosing and treating common dental issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, and oral infections.
- We also offer preventive care (cleanings), restorative care (fillings), and cosmetic treatment (teeth whitening).
- Extractions and various dental procedures are common in our office.
- We focus on maintaining overall oral health and addressing a broad spectrum of dental concerns.
Orthodontists:
- These are specialized dentists who undergo additional training in orthodontics.
- Most will be identifying, preventing, and managing dental and facial irregularities, particularly issues related to misaligned teeth and incorrect bites.
- These doctors play a crucial role in rectifying and aligning smiles and correcting bite problems.
- They’ll commonly provide treatments such as braces and other orthodontic appliances to achieve proper tooth and jaw alignment.
- Aesthetics and functional aspects of dental and facial alignment are the main areas of practice in orthodontic offices.
So, you’ll start at a dentist’s office like ours, where you might be referred to an orthodontist. Our relationship is a collaborative one; the work we do as experts can relate closely to one another and enhance a patient’s overall experience.
How We Stay Involved
Let’s provide you with a hypothetical situation. You are a new adult patient of ours, and you’ve been dealing with crooked teeth since childhood. You tell your dentist you want to do something about it. We send you to a local orthodontist, and after evaluation, a choice is made to give you a set of ceramic braces.
Throughout this type of treatment, you will regularly touch base with your orthodontist. As your teeth shift, your appliance can be adjusted, and any damage to it can be addressed. However, you will also continue to visit Charvet Dental Center for routine appointments. We’ll now explain why:
- Oral Health: Orthodontic appliances can complicate oral hygiene maintenance for most patients. Food particles tend to become trapped within the components of conventional braces or within clear aligner trays, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. We can help ensure you keep track of your oral health habits.
- Dental Check-Ups: Seeing your dentist here allows him to promptly identify any urgent issues, such as serious decay or acute infections. The success of your orthodontic treatment depends on addressing these concerns in a timely manner.
- Professional Cleanings: Our team of dentists and dental hygienists provides comprehensive cleanings to eliminate plaque and tartar accumulation.
- Cavity Detection: If cavities arise while you’re wearing orthodontic appliances, they can pose greater challenges for treatment. Please be sure you’re scheduling appointments with us so that we can promptly identify and address them.
- Detection of Bite Issues: Our team assists in monitoring bite alignment, ensuring that everything is functioning as planned.
- Preventative Care: We can provide you with preventive treatments, including dental sealants and fluoride applications, which serve to safeguard against tooth decay. These measures are particularly beneficial when your teeth are at their most difficult to keep clean.
- Orthodontic Adjustments: We collaborate with your orthodontist to assist in overseeing your orthodontic appliance for any necessary corrections during your visits to our office. For example, if you encounter any concerns with your appliance and have an appointment with us before your next orthodontist visit, we may still have options to address your problem.
- Emergencies: Dental emergencies can arise unexpectedly, and it’s crucial to have access to a dentist for swift treatment. Issues like broken brackets, wires, or other components often require immediate attention and can help avoid disruptions in your overall plan.
If you need any sudden extractions or restorations in conjunction with your orthodontic treatment, we’ll be in direct contact to coordinate your care in the best way. These are the principal factors that define a collaboration between our two practices.
Better Together
We’ve reviewed the key differences between dental and orthodontic practices and the vital role your dentist serves in any orthodontic treatment. Charvet Dental Center is committed to all of our patients, with or without the additional component of orthodontic treatment. You can set up an appointment by contacting our exceptional Metairie-based team at (504) 834-6504.