Did you know that humans evolved over hundreds of thousands of years to have crowded and decaying teeth? This is why, despite the push for oral hygiene, more and more people need braces and extensive dental treatment.
If you have problems with your teeth, you may be wondering which doctor you need to go consult. Two of the most common tooth doctors are endodontists and orthodontists. Here are some of the main differences if you’re looking at endodontistvs orthodontist for your treatment.
What is an Orthodontist?
What is an orthodontist? When you define orthodontist, it is a doctor that focuses on aligning the teeth. This can be for cosmetic reasons, health reasons, or sometimes a combination of the two.
When you visit your local orthodontist, they will give you plenty of options for straightening your teeth and fixing your bite. Some of the most popular treatments include traditional braces and clear aligners. Usually, the treatment plan is around two to three years.
Orthodontic treatment does not treat tooth decay or gum disease. However, aligning the teeth and the jaw can prevent future cavities and decay because it is easier to brush and floss evenly spaced teeth.
What is an Endodontist?
Unlike an orthodontist, the endodontist focuses primarily on treating tooth decay with root canal procedures. They also treat tooth infections that cause issues like abscesses.
If you have extreme tooth decay or an emergency infection, your dentist may recommend you to an endodontist. The endodontist can treat complex tissue infections and try to save as much of the tooth as possible.
Once the endodontist performs the treatment, they will usually refer you back to your general dentist for a crown or implant to protect the tooth. This will help to strengthen your tooth and prevent the infection from reoccurring.
Orthodontist vs Dentist
Chances are if you take decent care of your teeth, you may not need to visit an endodontist very often. For people with regular tooth issues, you will most likely navigate between a dentist and an orthodontist.
Some dental offices offer a combination of dental and orthodontic services. This is helpful so that you do not have to shuttle back and forth for your orthodontics and general dentistry appointments.
If you want to start orthodontic treatment, you can do an internet search for, “Orthodontist near me.” You can visit websites and see if they also offer dental care.
Know the Difference: Endodontistvs Orthodontist
If you want to get work done on your teeth, you should know which doctor to visit. By knowing the difference between an endodontistvs orthodontist, you will not have to waste your time in the process.
Would you like to learn about all of the ways that you can take care of your teeth? Check out the Health section of our site for more tips and tricks for maintaining perfect oral hygiene.
