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An orthodontist is a healthcare specialist in the dental field with training to treat misaligned teeth or jaws and crowded teeth, which can cause tooth decay, gum disease, and challenging or painful chewing. Orthodontists treat patients of all ages, including children, and can spot issues before they become more serious. If you have a poor bite, wide-spaced teeth, or teeth that protrude out or don't occlude normally, an orthodontist can help you.
After graduating from dental school, a student must undergo a two to three-year orthodontic residency program. A dental school provides general dentistry training, introducing students to the physiology and anatomy of the oral cavity and face for the first two years. In comparison, the next two years focus on clinical practice and dental procedures.
Residency is an intensive program in orthodontics, during which students receive thorough training regarding proper, safe tooth movement called orthodontics. They also receive training in dentofacial orthopedics, guiding the jaw and dental and facial development. An orthodontist is also called an orthodontic specialist or a dentofacial orthopedist.
Orthodontists who pursue board certification in the US are accredited by the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) and are called Diplomates of the ABO. The board certifies those who have completed a fully accredited residency program. While board certification is optional in the US, most dentists are board-certified.
Orthodontists and dentists are both doctors specializing in oral healthcare. They undergo similar training, studying general dentistry to diagnose and treat gums, teeth, tongue, and mouth conditions. However, orthodontists receive additional training to specialize in detecting and treating misalignments of the teeth and jaws. Their roles have been explained in detail below:
Dentists treat common dental conditions. They can perform routine dental cleanings, fill cavities, extract teeth, and repair cracked teeth. Dentists are also proficient in providing preventive care and prescribing certain medications for oral health conditions. Moreover, they can perform oral surgery, install crowns or veneers, and conduct and interpret dental X-rays.
Generally, dentists pursue a pre-medical or pre-dentistry degree before graduating from a dentistry school. They undergo extensive training, complete a residency, and get certified before they can start practicing.
On the other hand, orthodontists pursue a pre-medical or pre-dentistry major in their undergraduate degree before entering dentistry schools. After graduation, orthodontists complete additional certification tests before specializing in orthodontics. Further, they must complete an orthodontic residency program lasting two to three years for a specialty certification.
As for the course of their treatment, they align the jaws and teeth to their original state. Orthodontists provide customized solutions to correct teeth sticking out, crowded teeth, misaligned jaws, and gaps between teeth. They use orthodontic appliances like braces and clear aligners and techniques like imaging and X-rays to cater to each patient's needs.
Additionally, orthodontists can perform teeth straightening surgery and supervise facial growth in children.
If you have crowded teeth, an orthodontist near you will help provide adequate space for each tooth with the help of assistive devices, making it easier to clean as well. This intervention will further aid in avoiding cavities or tooth decay.
Misalignment or malocclusion is another primary concern that may explain why you may see an orthodontist near you. Malocclusion also signifies a misaligned jaw, tooth crowding, overbite, or underbite. The orthodontist will recommend using braces or other dental appliances to correct misaligned teeth. The teeth are forced into alignment using wires, springs, or square ceramic, metal, or plastic links. Mild cases of malocclusion can be easily treated with the help of aligners or clear aligners (Invisalign), while severe cases might require headgear. Headgear applies pressure from outside of the mouth.
The orthodontist might advise corrective surgery for a misaligned jaw, overbite, and underbite if all else fails. These surgical interventions take place only after the jaws have stopped growing. Surgery may include extending or shortening the jaw, depending on the case, using wires, plates, surgical screws, etc. Treatment for malocclusion can also considerably reduce the discomfort caused by Temporomandibular Joint problems (TMJ). It boosts the symmetry and attractiveness of the face, including the smile. Biting, chewing, and speaking becomes much easier post-surgery.
In case of ongoing treatment, you must visit your dentist for routine examinations and cleanings. Even if you are not undergoing regular treatment, it is necessary to see an orthodontist near you at least once to rule out any jaw or teeth misalignment; this can even prevent issues from arising in the future. Additionally, you should ensure that your child visits an orthodontist by age seven to see if they require early interceptive treatment, braces, or aligners.
The field of orthodontics encompasses various treatments, and the following are the most common ones:
Braces use a combination of bands, brackets, and wires to gradually move the teeth into ideal positions over time. Depending on the patient's requirements, the orthodontist may prescribe different braces, such as clear (ceramic) or conventional metal braces.
Clear orthodontic aligners are very common as an alternative to braces. This alternative employs a set of personalized, transparent aligner trays to correct the teeth instead of requiring brackets and wires. The set of trays keeps changing as the patient's teeth align. Patients usually wear a set for one to three weeks before transitioning to the next one in the series. Clear aligners gradually move the teeth into their correct positions.
Patients require a retainer after their orthodontic treatment, which includes wearing braces or clear aligners. A retainer is a piece of fitted oral equipment that prevents teeth from moving from their ideal placements. The orthodontist determines the wearing frequency of the retainer to maintain treatment outcomes.
An oral appliance called a palate expander helps widen the narrow upper jaw. The orthodontist might suggest a palate expander if a patient has a crossbite, overcrowding, or other dental issues. The patient might need to wear a palate expander for a few weeks, a few months, or even up to a year, depending on their age and the seriousness of the disease.Children utilize palate expanders the most, but they can also help adults and teenagers.
If patients already have braces on and need additional pressure to move their teeth, an orthodontist would advise elastics. Specific upper and lower brackets/braces have tiny hooks that the doctor uses to place elastics and arrange them vertically or diagonally, depending on the patient's needs. The doctor may position them to connect the upper and lower jaws or attach them to various teeth. The orthodontist carefully selects the attachment points based on the desired mobility for certain teeth or tooth groups while preventing the misalignment of other teeth. The patient must apply or remove elastics independently and wear them as directed by their orthodontist. It is crucial to follow the recommended amount of elastic wear. Wearing too many elastics puts too much pressure on the teeth and could damage the jaw.
Orthodontists may recommend orthognathic surgery if you have a severe underbite or overbite. It involves the usage of plates, surgical screws, or wires to support the jaw bone. Orthodontists provide the option for surgery to those who have not benefited from other treatment options.
Periodontists focus on gum health and the supporting structures around teeth. Common treatments they offer include root planing and scaling to clean below the gum line, gum surgeries to address advanced gum disease or tissue repair, and dental implants to replace missing teeth and restore functionality.
On the other hand, orthodontists align teeth and optimize bite function. Their treatment methods include braces, which gradually align teeth; Invisalign, a clear aligner option for discreet straightening; and retainers, which help maintain alignment after treatment.
The primary difference between periodontists and orthodontists lies in their focus areas: periodontists work to preserve gum and structural health, while orthodontists concentrate on teeth alignment and bite correction. Whether you need gum disease management, dental implants, or teeth straightening, both specialists aim to improve oral health and enhance your smile.
Periodontists are experts in gum health and handle issues with the supporting structures of teeth. They treat conditions like gingivitis, an early form of gum disease-causing redness, bleeding, and swelling, as well as periodontitis, an advanced stage requiring deep cleanings and possible surgery. They also address gum recession, which can expose sensitive tooth roots, through gum grafting procedures. Additionally, periodontists place dental implants to replace teeth lost due to gum disease or injury.
Orthodontists focus on correcting tooth alignment and bite issues. They treat overbites, where upper front teeth overlap too much with the lower teeth, and underbites, where the lower teeth are beyond the upper ones. Crossbites, where some upper teeth fall inside the lower ones, and crowded teeth, which can make oral hygiene difficult, are also common orthodontic concerns. Orthodontic treatments like braces and Invisalign gradually guide teeth into better alignment, improving both appearance and oral function.
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The Virginia Health Department (VHD) conducted a survey in 2019, which revealed that around 23% of participants had teeth/gum-related problems. More than 36% of participants reported not having a dental specialist or cleaning their teeth. About 40% of the participants did not visit dental specialists or even free clinics. The oral screenings during this survey revealed that almost 27.1% of respondents had severe gingivitis, and nearly 37% had missing teeth due to periodontal disease or decay. About 30.5% of participants needed early dental care, and around 4.3% required care within 24-48 hours.
Another study found that resources and conditions for oral health in Southwest Virginia continue to lag by disconcertingly wide percentages compared to the state of Virginia and the nation. According to third-grade clinical tests, around 15.4% of kids statewide had untreated decay, compared to almost 29.2% in the Lenowisco Health District and approximately 46.9% in the Cumberland Health District.
Lenowisco had nearly 28.6%, and Cumberland Plateau had around 42.6% more children needing early or urgent care than the state (about 13.5%). Compared to Virginia (around 41.2%) and the United States (around 43.9%), Southwest Virginia had a higher percentage of adult individuals who had lost at least one permanent tooth in 2008. Compared to approximately 71% of the United States and nearly 75% of the entire state, about 60% of adult inhabitants of Southwest Virginia reported seeing a dentist in the previous year.
According to a survey of Virginia dentists, Southwest Virginians received significantly fewer check-ups, cleanings, and crowns and relatively more fillings, extractions, and dentures than inhabitants of other parts of Virginia. These figures prove that not visiting a dentist can only aggravate dental problems. It is essential to see dentists for routine check-ups and prevent tooth decay and other issues.
American Association of Orthodontists[1]
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.