If you have naturally straight teeth, whitening your smile or going for your bi-annual cleaning may be the extent of your knowledge regarding dental care. Many people have a limited understanding of the variety of dental procedures and specialties in the field. Two huge dental specialties include cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics. Here's a brief explanation of cosmetic dentistry versus orthodontics to help you understand the key differences.
What Is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the practice of managing and correcting unaligned teeth and jaws through the use of braces and other appliances. Contrary to popular belief, this type of work isn't just for kids and teens. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, for every five orthodontic patients, at least one is over 21. This type of dentistry usually corrects a problem with a person's bite, but orthodontics can also be used to straighten teeth that are misaligned. Orthodontic treatment can be expensive and time-consuming, especially if more than one person in a family needs braces.
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
When you see celebrities with blinding white smiles, they have gone to a cosmetic dentist. Cosmetic dentistry is the practice of making changes to teeth and gums to enhance the aesthetic appearance of a person's smile. This usually involves whitening the teeth, removing minor tooth imperfections, and fixing small chips.
The Differences Between Orthodontics and Cosmetic Dentistry
While orthodontics is corrective, cosmetic dentistry is purely aesthetic. One focuses on teeth function and alignment while the other is more concerned with how your teeth look. You can go to the orthodontist to fix bite issues, gaps between teeth, and other aesthetic issues that can make it more difficult to smile with confidence. This is why orthodontic visits are usually recommended for children starting around age seven or eight. That said, more and more adults are seeking out straighter teeth.
Orthodontic procedures are way more time-consuming than cosmetic dental procedures. The average cosmetic dental procedure takes less than two hours. Many people get their teeth whitened on their lunch break! On the other hand, braces can take two to three years to work effectively. In some cases, people may need to wear them for even longer. The cost of cosmetic dentistry is usually much lower than the cost of orthodontics. Ultimately, this is because cosmetic procedures are generally less invasive and don't require as much time to complete.
Who Should Visit a Cosmetic Dentist?
A
cosmetic dentist can help anyone unhappy with their smile. This includes people with stained teeth, chipped teeth, or small gaps between their teeth. If you have years of stained teeth from drinking coffee or smoking, a cosmetic dentist can help you with laser teeth whitening. This is a simple, non-invasive procedure that can be done in one office visit. Your cosmetic dentist can also use bonding to fix small chips in your teeth. Veneers are a very popular cosmetic procedure that can cover up more serious cosmetic imperfections.
Who Should Visit an Orthodontist?
An orthodontist can help people of all ages. If you had braces as a child but never wore your retainer, you may find that your teeth have shifted out of place. An orthodontist can help you get your smile back. Many people visit an orthodontist because they're unhappy with the way their teeth look. If your teeth are severely misaligned, you may feel self-conscious about smiling. In this case, braces can help you feel better about yourself by giving you the straight teeth you've always wanted.
Today, orthodontists have several types of alignment options to choose from. Invisalign is a popular option that uses clear aligners to gradually shift teeth into place. As the name suggests, this type of aligner is invisible, so it's a good option for people who want to straighten their teeth without anyone knowing.
When Not to Visit a Cosmetic Dentist or Orthodontist
If you need a routine tooth cleaning, a cavity filled or a tooth extracted, you should visit a general dentist instead of a cosmetic dentist. Similarly, if you need major dental work such as a root canal, you should also visit an endodontist (or a general dentist who will then refer you to a specialist.)
In conclusion, cosmetic dentistry enhances the aesthetic appearance of a person's smile, while orthodontics help moves teeth into their desired positions through the use of braces and other aligners. If you need help with your smile, give us a call at Becker Orthodontics today! We'd love to be of service.
Share On: