This is such a great question that we are asked every day!
Did you know that ALL Orthodontists are Dentists, but NOT ALL Dentists are Orthodontists? All orthodontists are dentists, but only about 4% of dentists are orthodontists!
Orthodontists and dentists both help patients improve their oral health, but in different ways. Dentistry is a broad medical specialty dealing with teeth, gums, nerves, and the jaw, while an orthodontist, like Dr. Varghese, focuses on correcting a patient’s bite and straightening teeth. Orthodontics is one of 12 specialties in dentistry. Orthodontic courses go beyond basic dental training and have a more specific focus. The additional education includes a two- or three-year residency and more than 4,800 hours of orthodontic training.
Once Dr. Varghese earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree (DDS) he proceeded with additional years of schooling to become an orthodontist to specialize in aligning the jaws and moving teeth. Even though Dr. Varghese helps our patients with crooked teeth, he also specializes in overbites, underbites, crossbites, spaces between teeth, crowding of teeth, and the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Orthodontists have many tools at their disposal to help them move the teeth and jaws into proper alignment, including traditional braces and clear aligners. Dr. Varghese creates individualized treatment plans are created for each patient because alignment and growth problems are unique.
While a dentist may be trained to provide orthodontic care, in addition to extracting teeth, cleanings, and fillings, trusting your smile to an orthodontist like Dr. Varghese can better balance the different needs of our patients.
Please contact us to set up a complimentary consultation to learn more 🙂
