When do you need an orthodontist in Bournemouth vs a dentist?
Your teeth are important, and you want to make sure that you’re taking care of them in the best way possible. But what happens when you’re not sure whether you need to see a dentist or an orthodontist in Bournemouth? How can you tell the difference?
Generally, dentists are focused on the overall health of your teeth and gums, while orthodontic teams are specifically trained to diagnose and treat dental and facial irregularities. If you’re not sure which type of specialist you need to see, our regular dentist at Dorset Orthodontics can give you a referral to the appropriate one.
What is the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist?
An orthodontist in Bournemouth and a dentist would both offer important services for your teeth, but there are a few key differences between them. Orthodontic teams focus specifically on braces and other orthodontic treatments, while dentists can provide a wider range of services, including everything from routine checkups to dental surgery.
When do you need to see an orthodontist?
An orthodontist in Bournemouth is typically needed when there are problems with the alignment of your teeth, such as when they are crooked or gapped. If you’re experiencing pain or difficulty chewing, or if your child is starting to show signs of tooth misalignment, then an orthodontic team may be able to help.
Orthodontic treatments tend to occur over long-time frames of 6 to 2 years compared to more general dental care.
When do you need to see a dentist?
If you’re generally happy with the alignment of your teeth but are due a check-up or filling, that is a general dental issue.
If you are in discomfort and don’t know why, come and see our dentist first, as they are primary care providers, like the differences between general practitioners and consultants.
What are some common dental procedures that orthodontic teams perform that dentists don’t typically do?
Orthodontic teams are typically needed when there are problems with the alignment of your teeth, such as when they are crooked or gapped. Some common dental procedures that orthodontic teams perform include braces, retainers, and other treatments to correct teeth alignment. This can’t be done in general clinics, but jaw modification or full headgear is part of specialised orthodontic care.
Dentists can provide a wide range of services, from routine checkups, preventive dentistry and restorative treatments to more complex procedures like dental and soft tissue surgery; however, they typically don’t perform the same types of procedures as orthodontists.
This is shown in the distribution of clinics with general dentists being far more common than orthodontic specialists. For every orthodontist, there are about 50 general dentists.
How can you see an orthodontic team directly?
If you’re looking for a specialist orthodontic team, you may have trouble finding one that is accepting new patients. However, there are a few ways to get in touch with an orthodontist directly. One way is to ask our dentist for a referral.
We do accept self-referrals, so if you feel that you or your child may need braces or another type of orthodontic treatment, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Another way to find an orthodontic team is to search for one in your area on the British Orthodontic Society website.