What’s the Difference Between a General Dentist and an Orthodontist?

Dentists and orthodontists are both doctors of oral health who can diagnose a range of different conditions, such as the presence of gum disease, cavities, and tooth damage. That said, an orthodontist specifically practices in a specialized field of dentistry (orthodontics), which focuses on jaw and bite alignment. A general dentist is more commonly trained to perform preventive dental treatments, such as filling cavities, extracting teeth, installing crowns, and providing x-rays and oral examinations.

An orthodontist helps identify problems with your jaw alignment and/or the quality of your bite. This requires years of additional training beyond a pre-dentistry degree, usually in a post-graduate residency program. Not only can orthodontists examine your teeth and gums to identify oral health issues, they also:

• Monitor a child’s facial and jaw development
• Correct malocclusion (poor bite)
• Align the upper and lower jaw
• Create a treatment plan for braces and retainers
• Prescribe dental appliances, such as orthodontic headgear, when necessary
• Recommend or perform teeth-straightening surgery

If you need braces or want a straighter smile, it’s generally in your best interest to ensure your dental provider has a qualified orthodontist on their team. Orthodontists undergo the highest level of training when it comes to fixing irregularities in your bite or jaw alignment — this specialized experience is the expertise you deserve during your teeth straightening treatment. Our practice is thrilled to offer patients the seamless continuity of care that results from having a collaborative and multispecialty dental team.

It’s not uncommon for both dentists and orthodontists to offer orthodontic treatment; however, this doesn’t mean a general dentist and orthodontist have the same qualifications or undergo the same type of training.

What are My Orthodontic Treatment Options?

An array of orthodontic treatment options can help you straighten your teeth and feel more comfortable during the process. Our office offers many different types of orthodontic techniques, from metal braces to clear braces; braces that affix to the back of the teeth; and clear plastic aligners that are virtually invisible to others. Here are a few of the options available at Oelbaum & Kagan Dentistry.

Traditional Braces

Traditional metal braces have been the tried-and-true method of straightening misaligned teeth for decades, and through advances in orthodontics over the years, they have become even more effective, comfortable, and discreet. Mostly prescribed for patients who have significantly malpositioned teeth, metal braces are also usually more cost-effective and now come in a variety of sizes and types that are durable and more aesthetically pleasing.

Invisalign^®

Invisalign^® is one of the most innovative orthodontic treatment options to come along in some time. Using a system of clear plastic aligners, Invisalign^® works to gradually pull the teeth into a straighter position in less time than it takes traditional metal braces to work. Plus, they can be removed for eating, drinking, and brushing and flossing.

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Child Orthodontics

Orthodontic treatment at an early age can not only guide and straighten permanent teeth as they come in, but it can also help improve self-confidence and esteem levels for your child throughout their adolescence. We offer a variety of orthodontic treatments for children that can be both effective and cosmetically-appealing.

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Adult Orthodontics

No matter your age, orthodontics can be an effective solution for straightening spaces, gaps, and misalignments in your smile. Additionally, orthodontics can also fix bite issues, such as underbites and overbites. Our office offers multiple adult orthodontic treatments, including options designed to straighten your teeth and/or improve your bite both quickly and discreetly.

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Do Braces Hurt?

Thanks to significant advances in cosmetic dentistry, there are many teeth-straightening systems available at our Bronx practice that can achieve your orthodontic goals more comfortably than ever. Treatment options like Invisalign^® clear aligners are specifically designed to be as unobtrusive to your daily life as possible, even offering the benefits of a removable aligner system. Even our traditional wire-and-bracket braces can be made with ceramic material to eliminate the discomfort and gum inflammation often associated with metal. While patients may feel the light pressure of their teeth being gradually repositioned, this sensation is not usually described as painful—on the contrary, it can actually be a good indication that your treatment is working.

How to Brush and Floss With Braces

Keeping your teeth clean and healthy can be very simple with the braces offered at Oelbaum & Kagan Dentistry. The best way to brush and floss your teeth during treatment varies according to which orthodontic system is selected. For ceramic and metal braces, our orthodontist will provide a small threading device that will allow you to easily floss under the wires and brackets attached to your teeth. Use of a Pikster^® and/or Waterpik^® can also make it easier to extract food debris from between the braces. You may then brush your teeth as you normally would. With Invisalign^®, your aligners can simply be removed and set aside while brushing and flossing your teeth.

To learn more about any of our orthodontic treatments, or to schedule an appointment, please contact our office today.