To get back to the American Association of Orthodontists take on it:
Orthodontists receive more formal education than dentists to specialize in straightening teeth. Like dentists, orthodontists graduate from dental school. Then, to be an orthodontist, it takes an additional two to three academic years of education in an accredited orthodontic residency program. Orthodontists are dentistry’s specialists in straightening teeth and aligning jaws to create optimal function and form. Orthodontists only practice orthodontics. They treat hundreds of patients a year, drawing on tried-and-true and new orthodontic appliance technologies to get patients to the best results. Orthodontists have knowledge of the full range of orthodontic appliance “tools” -- including braces, clear aligners and other orthodontic devices. They know what to use and when because they work with these tools every day. Orthodontists build on their knowledge of orthodontics through on-going continuing education in orthodontic technology and practice.
Orthodontics blends seamlessly into the practice of dentistry, whether considered in the context of general dentistry or in coordination with one or several of the other dental specialties. Orthodontic treatment frequently involves a pre-treatment or post-treatment regimen of care by another dental professional, so that the comprehensive dental needs of the individual patient can be satisfied. Orthodontists are accustomed to treating patients with a "team" approach, and recognize that the proper sequencing and coordination of care may be critical to the ultimate outcome and success of the overall treatment plan. Orthodontics may constitute a major or very minimal aspect of any individual patient's treatment, but the importance of the position and alignment of the teeth is often crucial to other aspects of the care rendered.
- Dental Public Health
- Endodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Oral Medicine and Pathology
- Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology
- Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
Orthodontists, like the other specialties, historically work on referrals from general dentists and other health care providers, and work with them in providing orthodontic care and communicating back with them on their patients' progress. Today there are a large number of patients that seek orthodontic care directly.
Today, orthodontics remains an essential dental specialty, especially in the field of growth and human development. Malocclusion, can be debilitating to proper health and function, in addition to being psychologically and emotionally debilitating to a person's speech and appearance.
Orthodontics should always be considered in the process of treating a patient. Many times, the scope of restorative and cosmetic dentistry can be minimized, and more conservative care rendered, when orthodontic treatment is incorporated in the treatment plan.
Orthodontics can be done by dentists with specialized training or by general dentists with advanced training.
The longer I practice general dentistry (24 years), the more excited I become about the great potential of orthodontics to help people of any age keep their teeth functioning well and looking good for a lifetime. For children who are developing, orthodontists can shape the bones of the face and jaws to allow the teeth and supporting structures to grow into ideal positions. Orthodontists can help people who have worn or shifted teeth regain a beautiful smile and improved chewing. Orthodontists can help grow bone (avoiding bone grafting surgery in some cases) to support dental implants. There are many more areas where orthodontists play a key role in dentistry. If you ever have an orthodontic question, ask your dentist for a referral for a consultation (or your dentist may also be skilled in orthodontic care).
I became a much better diagnostician and clinician after learning orthodontics. Now I see what I had been missing with regards to TMJ and occlusion (bite) issues.
Teeth were made a certain way for a very good reason. They function best when they are aligned properly. They chew more efficiently and make it easier to maintain healthy gums. Unfortunately, many dentists think they can just realign teeth with caps and porcelain veneers. The results can be problematic if the forces are not dealt with properly.
Properly done orthodontics can contribute to longer lasting as well as more esthetic smiles and bites. I think the best general dentists know a lot about the various specialties and the best specialists know a lot about general dentistry.
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.