You spent a long time choosing a dentist for your family. You considered many options and even narrowed your focus to pediatric dentists when your children were young. Now that they are getting a bit older, it’s time to seek out an orthodontist.
You feel comfortable with your dentist; however, it’s not an orthodontic practice. Should you let your general dentist do the work because your children are familiar with the office or should you try to find a specialist?
What kind of expertise do you want when it comes to your children’s health? There are some fundamental differences between a general dentist and an orthodontist. Here are those differences you must consider when selecting who will perform your children’s orthodontic work.
General…show more content… They are jacks of all trades in many ways. They must stay keep up with the evolution of dentistry while managing the most basic to complex oral health problems.
General dentists will have bachelor’s degrees, after which they will apply to study at a dental school, which is another four-year program. Upon completion of this doctoral program, they can begin a dental practice.
Orthodontists
Orthodontists have the same schooling as general dentists and are initially trained in the same skill sets when it comes to helping you maintain your oral health. After successful completion of a dental program, dentists interested in specializing in orthodontics will continue in a two- to three-year residency program. During this time students will learn to specialize in orthodontics.
This specialization requires learning the ins and outs of teeth-straightening procedures to correct issues such as misaligned teeth, crowded teeth, overbites and underbites They learn about all braces treatments. Along with keeping abreast of general dentistry advancements, these specialists will also maintain expertise in the advancements in
