What is the difference between a periodontist and an orthodontist
Posted on 5/23/2022 by Dr. Boustany
A periodontist is a dental specialist specializing in e prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum conditions. They also help in the management of advancing gingival diseases. Periodontists training begins in dental school and continues with specialized training after graduating with a dentistry degree. After completing four years in dental school, they undergo three years of residency training in periodontics and complete a written and oral exam for certification by the board of periodontology.
On the other hand, orthodontists are dental specialists trained to prevent, diagnose, and treat oral irregularities, for example, teeth and jaw misalignment. They treat abnormalities of the oral cavity and are experts in identifying underlying problems that might occur in the future. Orthodontists are responsible for a perfect and healthy smile. They undergo training in college, a different degree in dental school, then extensive training in orthodontics in a residency training program. In residency, training orthodontists receive focused training in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.
Reasons to see a periodontist
Your general dentist might handle mere gum problems; however, on suspicion of worsening gum disease, a general dentist will refer you to a periodontist. A periodontist handles severe cases of swollen gums, bleeding gums caused by inflammation, foul breath, and painful chewing. They also treat receding gum line conditions. Treatment of periodontal diseases is often aimed at restoring functionality and aesthetic purposes to boost confidence.
Reasons to see an orthodontist
Oral abnormalities like misalignments and malocclusions are common orthodontic conditions. When you need braces or other dental appliance installations or corrective bite surgery. Installation of braces and other dental appliances helps treat malocclusions that cause overcrowding of teeth and misalignment. Misalignment causes bite problems, distorts facial symmetry, causes TMJ pain and other teeth conditions like cavities and gingival diseases. Orthodontics also encompasses invasive procedures to correct malocclusions that cannot be treated using noninvasive methods.
A periodontist is a dental specialist specializing in e prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum conditions. They also help in the management of advancing gingival diseases. Periodontists training begins in dental school and continues with specialized training after graduating with a dentistry degree. After completing four years in dental school, they undergo three years of residency training in periodontics and complete a written and oral exam for certification by the board of periodontology.