Good oral health is significant to maintain all-around health. There are more than four thousand practicing dentists and orthodontists in North Carolina, which means there are ample oral health practitioners for you to choose from if you live in NC, SouthPark, or Charlotte.

Many orthodontists do not offer Invisalign treatments in smaller residential areas such as SouthPark. Still, there are a few orthodontists that are now serving SouthPark and other smaller residential areas.

However, there are still many people who do not have ample knowledge about who an orthodontist is and what they do. So, here is all the information you need to know about orthodontists.

Who is an orthodontist

Orthodontists are dentists that specialize in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial abnormalities. They provide a variety of treatment methods for straightening crooked teeth, correcting poor bites, and aligning the jaws.

An orthodontist completes five hours or three hours of full-time study in the discipline after finishing a five-year dental degree. To achieve optimal results, make sure you or your children are treated by an orthodontist, whether you’re wearing braces or transparent aligners like Invisalign.

Mostly, orthodontist surgeons are known for straightening the teeth, but they can help patients with misaligned bites, tooth movements, and even some types of sleep apnea.

Difference Between a Dentist and an Orthodontist

Orthodontists and Dentists have a lot of similarities, and they both work to enhance your oral health, but they operate in very different ways. Dentists deal with a wide spectrum of oral health problems. On the other hand, an orthodontist is a dental professional who specializes in aligning the jaws and straightening teeth.

Patients should be aware of a few major differences between orthodontists and dentists in order to make educated decisions about their treatment and whom they should visit.

Dentists

• A general dentist is similar to a regular family health doctor. They are skilled practitioners who can perform accurate diagnoses, treat common problems that may affect your gums, teeth, and mouth.
• They have completed a general dental degree.
• They have expertise in general dental care and maintenance for every age group. Many dentists even perform cosmetic procedures such as dental whitening, crowning, and porcelain veneers.
• Dentists are not trained at the university or college level to fit braces or perform any other orthodontic treatment. In contrast, an orthodontist is fully trained to perform such treatments.
• If your dentist diagnoses that you need orthodontic care, they will recommend you to the orthodontists in their contacts.

Orthodontist

• They are registered specialists who have completed an additional three years of full-time training at university in orthodontics, facial growth and development, and biology and mechanics.
• Unlike dentists, they are experts at facial growth and dental development experts. Orthodontists diagnose and treat crooked teeth, poorly aligned jaws, and bad bites.
• They are experts at treating people of all ages with orthodontic problems.
• They are registered with the American Association of Orthodontists.

You should always visit your dentist for regular dental checkups every three months to diagnose any problems beforehand. If you have any orthodontic problems, your dentist will automatically refer you to a reliable orthodontist nearby.