An orthodontist and dentist may differ in services, but they are both equally important. Dr. Anthony Farrow and his talented team provide orthodontic treatment to people of all ages with conditions that vary in severity, but we recognize the importance of continuing to see your dentist on a regular basis for cleanings and check-ups.
Dentists vs. Orthodontists: Similarities
A dentist and an orthodontist begin their careers in much the same way. They both must attend dental school after graduating from a bachelor’s degree program. After completing dental school, a future orthodontist will need to complete a two to three year residency at an American Dental Association approved, university-affiliated program. A dentist, however, will be awarded a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a DMD (Doctor of Medical Dentistry), depending on what they choose to specialize in.
Dentists vs. Orthodontists: Differences
Think of a dentist as the primary care physician for your teeth. They perform routine maintenance and ensure that, overall, your mouth remains healthy. Some dentist-specific procedures include:
•Cleanings
•Whitenings
•Root Canals
•Fillings
•Crowns
•Veneers
•Bridges
An orthodontist in Philadelphia PA like Dr. Farrow however, is a specialist. If a dentist cannot assist you in correcting a dental condition, they will, oftentimes, refer you to an orthodontist. Orthodontic offices like ours focus on the alignment of your teeth and malocclusions. A malocclusion is an issue concerning your ‘bite’ and typically refers to one of the following:
•Overbite
•Underbite
•Severe Overcrowding
•Tooth Gaps
The most common form of orthodontic treatment is braces. Braces can help address a number of the aforementioned conditions, but can only be installed by an orthodontist.
Dr. Farrow and his orthodontic team understand the importance of maintaining a healthy dental routine while receiving orthodontic treatment. Braces, especially, can make maintaining dental hygiene particularly difficult and result in cavities or worse. Be sure to heed the advice of Dr. Farrow near Center City or Mt. Airy for optimal dental health and regularly visit the dentist and the orthodontist!
Dr. Anthony Farrow is an expert orthodontist. If you have any questions for the team at Farrow Orthodontics pertaining to braces, clear braces, Invisalign, or Invisalign Teen in Philadelphia, PA, Mt. Airy, PA, Center City, PA, Philadelphia County, PA, or the 19150 zip code area, or would like to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Anthony Farrow, contact Farrow Orthodontics at: 215-569-9060