Dentists and orthodontists may differ in services, but they are both equally important. While Dr. Matthew Milestone and the team here at Milestone Orthodontics in West Orange, NJ provide orthodontic treatment to people of all ages with conditions that vary in severity, we also recognize the importance of continuing to see your dentist on a regular basis for cleanings and check-ups.
Dentists vs. Orthodontists: Similarities
Both a dentist and an orthodontist begins their careers in the same way (e.g., they both attend dental school after graduating from a bachelor’s degree program). Subsequently, a dentist will be awarded a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a DMD (Doctor of Medical Dentistry), depending on what they choose to specialize in, while a future orthodontist will need to complete a two to three year residency at an American Dental Association approved, university-affiliated program.
Dentists vs. Orthodontists: Differences
You can think of a dentist as the primary care physician for your teeth; they perform routine maintenance and ensure that your mouth remains healthy overall. Some dentist specific procedures include:
- Cleanings
- Whitenings
- Root canals
- Fillings
- Crowns
- Veneers
- Bridges
An orthodontist like Dr. Milestone in West Orange, NJ, on the other hand, is a specialist. If a dentist cannot assist you in correcting a dental condition, they will, oftentimes, refer you to an orthodontist. And orthodontic offices like Milestone Orthodontics focus on the alignment of your teeth and malocclusions typically referring to one of the following:
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Severe overcrowding
- Tooth gaps
- Braces
The most common form of orthodontic treatment is braces. Braces can help address a number of the aforementioned conditions, but can only be installed by an orthodontist.
Contact Us
Dr. Milestone and the team here at Milestone Orthodontics understand the importance of maintaining a healthy dental routine while receiving orthodontic treatment. Braces especially, can make maintaining dental hygiene particularly difficult and result in cavities or worse. Be sure to heed the advice of Dr. Milestone and the team here at Milestone Orthodontics in West Orange, NJ for optimal dental health, and regularly visit your dentist.
Dr. Matthew Milestone and the team here at Milestone Orthodontics are experts in orthodontia. If you have any questions pertaining to Orthodontic Disorders, Suresmile Robotic Braces, Orthognathic Surgery, Sleep Apnea and Snoring, Invisalign, or Trudenta in West Orange, Union, Verona, Nutley, Caldwell, Essex County, Paramus, Saddle Brook, Rutherford, Bergen County, or Passaic, NJ, and would like to schedule a FREE complimentary consultation with Dr. Milestone, contact our West Orange, NJ location at 973.325.1777, or our Paramus, NJ location at 201.845.8411
