What Does a Dentist Do?

Unfortunately, dentist is sometimes confused with orthodontist. In fact, dentists are specialists who study the head, face, mouth, jaws, and natural structure of teeth, as well as their functions and related diseases. They are also healthcare professionals who provide preventive and therapeutic treatments in this field. In short, their focus is on maintaining dental health and treating dental diseases.

They listen to and examine patient complaints and make diagnoses. They can even perform procedures such as bridges and prosthetics. Additionally, they can perform root canal treatment and treat oral or gum diseases. Dentists also provide education on oral health and hygiene.

Dentists can work in institutions and organizations affiliated with the Ministry of Health, as well as in dental faculties. They can work in hospitals, private clinics, or establish their own practices. They receive their education at "Dentistry" faculties in universities, and the duration of their education is usually five years.

Pediatric Dentists

Pediatric dentists focus on the oral health of infants, children, and adolescents. A pediatric dentist is trained to provide comprehensive dental care to children, including preventive, restorative, and emergency treatments.

 Pediatric dentists receive additional training beyond dental school, which includes child psychology, behavior management, and the treatment of children with special needs. They also have special equipment and techniques to make dental experiences comfortable and positive for children.

 The best pediatric dentists work closely with other healthcare providers, such as pediatricians, to ensure the overall health and well-being of children. They also collaborate with orthodontists and oral surgeons to provide comprehensive care for children with more complex dental needs.

What is the Difference Between a Dentist and an Orthodontist?

Although these two professions are often compared, there are certain differences between them. Orthodontists specialize in the comprehensive treatment of specific oral, dental, and jaw disorders. They are responsible for diagnosing, preventing, and treating irregularities in teeth and dental surfaces. Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that aims to correct facial and jaw development disorders.

While general dentists focus on dental and gum health treatments, orthodontists focus on the alignment of teeth and jaw treatment. In addition, becoming an orthodontist requires four years of specialization training after completing five years of dental education. In short, the first difference between a dentist and an orthodontist is that an orthodontist undergoes additional training after completing dental education.

In terms of practice areas, dentists focus on the treatment of gum diseases, bridges, root canals, dental veneers, and gum diseases. On the other hand, orthodontists are specialists in the treatment of misaligned teeth, crowded teeth, jaw problems, overbites, and underbites. In fact, both professions have similarities because they both deal with oral care.

Although we usually start with a general dentist, they may refer patients to an orthodontist for different conditions. This is because orthodontists are responsible for achieving proper occlusion, which is important at any age.