Orthodontist of Orthodentist – What Is The Difference????

There is an advertisement that is being placed by an organization that represents Orthodontic specialists. The ad implies that orthodontics can be preformed by orthodontist only. The Invisilign technology has cut into the Orthodontist financial “pie” because general dentists are doing the majority now. However that is no excuse for making some of the public equate that “only orthodontists” do orthodontics. As a generalists/Orthodentist, we are qualified and held to the same standards that the specialist/Orthodontist are. I, along with some of my orthodontic and pediatric and pediatric collogues are on the cutting edge of orthopedics. This is the treatment of the whole jaw early in our lives to create enough space before braces. Sometimes called First and Second Phase Orthodontics. By correcting these issues early saves both time, money and even more, prevents the need for extractions. Who is better to do this than the Pedodontist or Generalist/Orthodentist? Both of these modalities of dentistry see the patient sooner than the Orthodontist. I think this is more of the reason for the short – sighted ads placed by the Organization.

Some people say orthodontists are the only ones that should do orthodontics. Following that same line of logic then…kids under twelve should be seen by a pedodontist, crowns, veneers and bridges by a prosthodontist, root canals by an endodontist, cleanings and perio by a periodontist, extractions by an oral surgeon. The fact is that these are all specialties that dentists have limited their practice to. A general or “family” dentist is held to the same levels of care that all of the specialist. However, there is one difference…the general dentist has specialist that he/she refers patients to if the treatment is in ‘need’ of a specialist. The fact is that the generalist should be able to do most procedures. The extra cost incurred by going to a specialist is because of this fact. A fair analogy would be going to an Ear Nose Throat Specialist instead of your family Doctor. If your physician saw that you needed to be treated by a specialist then he would refer you to one that he trusted which is exactly what you would want. The fact that most of your basic needs are met by your general physician/dentist makes sense. On the other side I would not want my family physician “specializing” in hip replacements when it is my cold that I wanted to have looked at. The same is true of dentists. I wouldn’t go to my dentist for a tooth that hurts if he is only trained in “cosmetics”. Choosing a good generalist is important. Interview the doctor and ask questions. If he does “orthodontics” then ask what his qualifications are. It took me many years and hundreds of post-doctoral courses to be proficient in orthodontics. It is true that you just don’t start doing orthodontics or any other “specialty” until you are qualified to do so. This is a rule that our profession holds us to at the perils of loosing our license if we do not! Go for second opinions if you feel uncomfortable with the treatment or costs proposed but be sure your doctor is well rounded in all areas of dentistry. One shoe does not fit all and the same is true in dentistry. So make sure you get the dentist that “fits” and yes that means a good knowledge of orthodontics too.