What's the Difference between a General Dentist and an Orthodontist?
A higher level of intensive training.
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has spent an additional two years or more in an advanced, intensive educational program to be certified in the science of facial growth and tooth movement from an accredited dental school. Graduation is not the end of education. New Jersey orthodontists advance their knowledge through continuing education courses which also satisfy the state law requirements.
In contrast to the general dentist, orthodontists limit their practice to the specialty of orthodontics in order to serve you better.
Added security.
Orthodontic treatment can change teeth and your face permanently, so it's important that you have a specialist provide orthodontic services for you and your family. Improper re-alignment can result in serious dental problems -- even loss of teeth over time! Your New Jersey Association Orthodontist has learned the special skills needed to guide tooth alignment and face development. You can feel confident that you are receiving the correct orthodontic treatment from a knowledgeable professional... treatment results that balance the harmony of your teeth, bones and face.
Special care comes from specialists.
The New Jersey Association of Orthodontists compliments and appreciates the very fine general practitioners who recognize the benefits of orthodontic care and refer their patients with orthodontic needs to the specialist. While a referral from your regular dentist is not necessary prior to your visit to a specialist, please be assured that the specialist and your regular dentist are a team and that their cooperation is in your best interest.
In fact, the American Dental Association has issued the following statement:
The American Dental Association has recognized that Specialists are necessary to protect the public, nurture the art and science of dentistry and improve the quality of care. Specialists are recognized in those areas where advanced knowledge and skills are essential to maintain or restore oral health. The American Dental Association has further stated that a specialty (such as Orthodontics) must be a distinct and well defined field which requires unique knowledge and skills beyond those commonly possessed by general practitioners.*
*Requirements of Recognition of Dental Specialists and National Certifying Boards for Dental Specialists. Approved by the 1995 American Dental Association House of Delegates -- October 1995
