As you may know, both dentists and orthodontists work on teeth. Both provide professional care that helps patients have good oral health, and both are dental school graduates. In some cases, there might be overlap in the services each professional may offer. In some states, dentists are permitted to provide some orthodontic treatments such as braces, in addition to their general dental services. However, orthodontists usually only offer treatments that fall within their dental specialty. While you may see dentists advertising orthodontic or pediatric general dentistry treatments, you should know only a dental professional who has undergone the proper training can be called an orthodontist. In this article, we will discuss whether general dentistry includes dental braces or not. Read on to find out more.General dentists are the most common dental care providers. By definition, they diagnose, treat, and manage overall oral healthcare needs including cleanings and exams, gum care, root canals, fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges, and preventative education. The majority of dental school graduates start practicing in general dentistry immediately following graduation, while some continue specialized education in a certain field. Here is the general dentistry complete guideline.General dentistry dental procedures performed by general dentists mainly focus on preventative maintenance. These general dentistry services help prevent decay or disease of the teeth, mouth, gums, and tongue. Examples include cleanings and routine exams.If preventative measures are not enough, general dentists will also incorporate restorative dental care. Restorative services are aimed to repair damages caused by tooth decay, trauma, or specific diseases in the mouth area. Examples include crowns and root canals.Instead of specializing in one area, many general dentists are trained on the general dentistry procedures such as:
- Cosmetic procedures
- Crowns and bridges
- Dental implants
- Dentures
- Gum disease treatment
- Home care instruction
- Mouthguards
- Nutrition counseling
- Oral surgery
- Root canal therapy
- Teeth cleanings
Dental braces are devices used in orthodontics that align and straighten teeth and help position them concerning a person’s bite, while also aiming to improve dental health. Braces also fix gaps. They are often used to correct underbites, as well as malocclusions, overbites, open bites, deep bites, crossbites, crooked teeth, and various other flaws of the teeth and jaw. Braces can be either cosmetic or structural. Dental braces are often used in conjunction with other orthodontic appliances to help widen the palate or jaws and to otherwise assist in shaping the teeth and jaws.The best time to have teeth braces is generally during childhood. But adults can have orthodontic treatment too – and more and more are doing this. Age is less important than having healthy teeth and gums. Children may have to wait for enough teeth to come through before starting treatment.Your mouth must be fit and healthy before you have orthodontic treatment. Only an orthodontist can decide whether you can have orthodontics.Most braces are made of metal, but some are made of ceramic or plastic. They are designed to be comfortable, but they may rub your mouth or make it feel sore. Also, your teeth may feel tender or sore as they start to move. These issues do not usually last long (a few days at most). They may happen at the start of your treatment or when your brace has been adjusted.Your braces may feel large in your mouth at first, but it is important to remember that your mouth will adapt and get used to them. They are there to guide your teeth into a new and proper position, but they will only do this if you keep wearing them.General dentistry services do not include teeth braces. As you know, general dentists are licensed to practice dentistry. However, some states allow them to provide specialty care, even if they do not have formal post-dental school training in specialty services. A dentist may be able to provide braces or aligners to move teeth, but that does not mean the dentist is an orthodontist. Only orthodontists have the additional two or more years of orthodontic education from a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, providing them with specialized training in putting teeth braces.So this is all you need to know about general dentistry and dental braces. There are many treatment options these days, from clear aligners to modern dental braces. They each have their uses, but only an orthodontist has the specialized knowledge to identify and plan for all the variables in your mouth. Orthodontists take your unique needs and wish, into consideration, when recommending the right treatment option for you. You deserve the best: a good bite and a healthy, beautiful smile. Consult an orthodontist to get the best dental braces and orthodontic services.