You might have the basic know-how of dentistry and dental checkups but if you are clueless about the different branches of dentistry, this article is for you.

So, who should you visit when you have any problems such as malpositioned teeth bite problems?

And, who should you visit when you have tooth decay or you require basic dental treatment?

We have answers to all your questions!

General Dentistry versus Orthodontics: Difference in terms of Qualification

Both general dentists and orthodontists have to take initial training in general dentistry. However, to become an orthodontist dentist, the dentist has to complete another training after graduation. Around 6% of dentists in the United States are orthodontists.

What is General Dentistry?

General dentistry deals with the overall health of all age groups. A general dentist is trained for preventative, restorative, cosmetic, and overall health care checkups. You can expect your general dentist to save the teeth that you thought could never be saved.

You can also get dental bonding, veneers, and dental crowns for your teeth that are decayed, cracked, chipped, or severely discoloured.

That’s not all you can also expect oral disease examination and preventative advisors from your general dentist. However, if there is a treatment that your general dentist cannot solve they recommend a dental specialist for the treatment.

What is orthodontics?

An orthodontist specializes in jaw alignment and teeth movement. An orthodontist can treat overlapping teeth, gaps in between the teeth, and jaws that are misaligned.

Orthodontics revolve around these types of equipment to treat the problems:

  • Traditional braces
  • Clear plastic aligners
  • Lingual braces

Your orthodontist might need additional help from x-rays to find out a better solution.

When is a General Dentist important?

You have to visit your dentist if you want preventative care, such as regular dental cleaning. Or you can visit your general dentist in Chula Vista when you seek restorative treatment.

A general dentist is also important when you are looking for an emergency dental visit. General dentistry trains dentists to handle accidents and emergencies in a professional manner.

And, when is an Orthodontist important?

Orthodontics is more of a cosmetic dentistry field. A dentist who is a well-trained cosmetic dentist can handle orthodontics really well. So, you cannot pay a visit to your orthodontist’s clinic in case of any emergency.

You can head to your orthodontist if you have misaligned teeth, or you started having a bite problem. Your orthodontist is well-equipped to treat such dental complications.

An orthodontist is someone you might or might never need in a lifetime, but a general dentist is someone you’d need in every stage of life. Therefore, it will be difficult to conclude who’s the most important, but we can surely say that each field has significance in its own place.

If you are seeking general dentistry treatment, you can get in touch with our experienced general dentists in Chula Vista. Call us now to book an appointment!