Medicine comprises many branches of specialized care, each focusing on an aspect of our bodies and minds. As a result, this helps us understand ourselves better and allows us to find and receive the right kind of health care when we need it. Dermatology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and dentistry are just a few well-known examples.
Because of such diversity within this field, it can easily confuse different care areas. Such often happens with dentists and orthodontists. Though these individuals both focus on treating your teeth and gums, it is not to the same extent.
Talk to our dentist today for more information about dentists and orthodontics in West Edmonton.
What is a Dentist?
A dentist, also called a general dentist, is someone who helps prevent, maintain, and care for your overall oral health. These individuals are certified to provide a wide range of services including, but not limited to:
- Routine teeth cleanings, checkups, and taking x-rays.
- Teeth whitening.
- We are placing dental fillings, bridges, crowns, and implants.
- Porcelain veneers.
- Dental bonding.
- Root canal therapy.
- Simple tooth extractions (this deals with removing teeth that have fully erupted but are impeding the health of your smile).
Their education includes an undergraduate degree and three more years of dental-focused training. If you’d like to compare, a general dentist is very similar to a family doctor, meaning they possess a lot of knowledge about multiple different aspects of our bodies and know how to treat them successfully.
Contact our local dental clinic to speak to our dentist near you.
What is an Orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dental professional specializing in straightening misaligned teeth and remedying issues surrounding your jaw and, therefore, your bite pattern. Unlike general dentists, they’re qualified to provide and remove metal braces and clear aligners. As a result, when you’re seeking to receive orthodontics near you, our dentist can refer you to an orthodontist so they can identify any problems and break down your treatment journey.
Regarding their education, orthodontists also possess undergraduate and dental degrees. However, once they’ve completed that, they must complete an additional three-year program focusing exclusively on orthodontics.
Dentists and orthodontists often work closely alongside one another.
What Does a Visit to the Dentist or Orthodontist Look Like?
Before you can undergo any treatment, you’ll need to book an initial consultation. It is a one-on-one session where a dentist will physically examine and take a series of x-rays of your mouth to establish an accurate baseline of your oral health and so they can identify the degree of work that needs to be done to get things back to normal.
Depending on the type of care you’re interested in, whether that’s a dental bridge, teeth whitening, or Invisalign, they can tell you if you’re an ideal candidate. If you are, they’ll walk you through a treatment plan that’s tailor-made just for you. They’ll also be able to answer any questions and address your concerns.
Here at Lessard Dental, our welcoming, capable team is standing by to assist you with all your oral health needs. It’s never too late to obtain the smile of your dreams, so call, come in, or head over to our website now to book an appointment. We’ll put you in contact with a dentist in West Edmonton who can help you achieve exactly that.