A lot of our patients are curious about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. In fact, one of the most common questions we hear at Highland Park Orthodontics is, “Dentists and orthodontists are all the same, right?”
A general dentist is your primary dental care provider. Dentists diagnose, treat, and manage your overall oral healthcare needs, including gum care, root canals, fillings, crowns, veneers, and bridges.
Orthodontists, such as Dr. Nadia Lyotard, are more concerned with diagnosis, prevention, interception, and treatment of malocclusion, or what we call “bad bite,” of the teeth. Orthodontists focus on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems such as overbites and underbites, and are responsible for straightening teeth via bands, wires, braces, and other fixed or removable corrective treatment options, like braces and clear aligners. Orthodontists treat children as well as adults who wish to improve the function of their bite and appearance of their smile.
Before becoming an orthodontist, doctors such as Dr. Nadia Lyotard start out in dental school and earn a dental degree, just like your general dentist. After dental school, those doctors who decide they are interested in the orthodontic field, stay in school for a few more years and become experts in orthodontia, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field.
Isn’t it nice to know we have orthodontic experts here at Highland Park Orthodontics to help you through any type of treatment your teeth and jaw might need? To schedule your initial appointment at our Dallas office, please give us a call today!
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other orthodontic-related topics, feel free to contact Highland Park Orthodontics, with a convenient orthodontic office in Dallas, TX, by clicking here or by calling 214.361.6644.
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