Orthodontist vs. Dentist: What’s the Difference?

At Midjersey Family & Implant Dentistry in Somerset, NJ, we provide comprehensive oral healthcare while collaborating with local orthodontic specialists to address all your dental needs. Our dentists, holding DDS or DMD degrees, are equipped to manage your overall oral health, offering services such as routine check-ups, cleanings, cavity fillings, gum care, and preventive education. Orthodontists, by contrast, undergo an additional two-to-three years of specialized training, focusing on diagnosing and correcting misaligned teeth and jaws through treatments like braces and aligners.

While our dentists handle immediate and preventive care, including cavities, gum disease, and root canals, patients requiring dental alignment or bite correction benefit from referrals to trusted orthodontists. These specialists address concerns such as crooked teeth, overbites, underbites, and crossbites, ensuring effective long-term solutions. Orthodontic treatments are often ideal for younger patients whose teeth and jaws are still developing, but our dental services cater to patients of all ages, from children to seniors.

To provide the highest quality care, we coordinate with local orthodontists to share patient information and align treatment plans. This collaborative approach ensures you receive tailored care, combining our expertise in general dentistry with the orthodontist’s specialization. Whether for routine dental care or orthodontic intervention, Midjersey Family & Implant Dentistry is committed to supporting your oral health journey. Schedule a consultation with us to explore how our team and our trusted orthodontic partners can help you achieve a healthy, confident smile.

At Midjersey Family & Implant Dentistry in Somerset, NJ, we prioritize timely orthodontic evaluations and treatments to ensure optimal oral health and address both aesthetic and functional concerns. For children, we recommend scheduling their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven. Early assessments help identify potential alignment issues with teeth or jaws, allowing us to guide jaw growth and permanent tooth alignment, potentially preventing more serious problems in the future.

Teenagers and adults with concerns like overlapping, crowding, or spacing between teeth should consider orthodontic treatment. Bite problems such as overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite, as well as jaw alignment issues like difficulty opening or closing the mouth or jaw joint clicking, may require prompt evaluation to prevent complications. Early or unusual tooth development, such as missing or extra teeth or habits like thumb sucking, should also be assessed by our team to avoid long-term impacts on alignment.

Functional concerns, including difficulty chewing, speech impediments, or pain while biting, are clear indicators of the need for orthodontic care. Even without functional symptoms, adults unhappy with the appearance of their smile can explore aesthetic options like clear aligners or braces to boost confidence. Additional signs to consider include difficulty breathing, snoring caused by a narrow upper jaw, speech difficulties linked to misaligned teeth, and excessive tooth wear due to jaw misalignment.

We offer modern orthodontic solutions tailored to individual needs. Whether for a child’s developmental evaluation or addressing adult concerns, we provide comprehensive care to help you achieve a healthy, well-aligned smile. Schedule a consultation today to prevent serious dental issues and promote long-term oral health and functionality.

Orthodontic issues such as malocclusions, involving misaligned teeth and jaws, can impact not only the appearance of your smile but also your overall oral health and functionality. At Midjersey Family & Implant Dentistry in Somerset, NJ, we collaborate with local orthodontic specialists to ensure our patients receive comprehensive care for conditions like overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites. These misalignments can cause discomfort, speech difficulties, uneven tooth wear, and jaw pain, all of which affect daily activities such as chewing and speaking. Correcting these issues enhances oral function and aesthetics while preventing further complications.

Crowding and spacing problems are also common orthodontic concerns. Properly aligned teeth are essential for maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing issues like gum disease or tooth decay. Jaw misalignments and impacted teeth, which can lead to pain and difficulty biting or chewing, require accurate diagnosis and treatment to restore optimal jaw function. Additionally, we address temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, which can cause jaw pain and dysfunction, often requiring collaborative care with specialists.

We prioritize personalized care tailored to each patient’s needs. By coordinating with orthodontic experts, we develop seamless treatment plans that align with your dental cleaning and health goals. Whether addressing functional or aesthetic concerns, we are committed to enhancing your smile and oral health. If you’re experiencing orthodontic issues, consult with our team to explore the most effective solutions for you and your family.

At Midjersey Family & Implant Dentistry in Somerset, NJ, we provide insights into the roles of orthodontists and general dentists to help you make informed decisions about braces and orthodontic care. Orthodontists are dental specialists with advanced training in correcting misaligned teeth and jaws, focusing on complex issues such as severe malocclusions, impacted teeth, and jaw discrepancies. Their expertise ensures optimal function and aesthetics for intricate cases.

Our general dentists, on the other hand, offer comprehensive dental care, including preventive, restorative dentistry, and cosmetic treatments. Some have additional training to provide minor orthodontic services, such as addressing mild crowding or installing retainers. For straightforward cases, receiving orthodontic care from our general dentists offers a convenient, all-in-one solution.

Key factors to consider include the complexity of your treatment, as orthodontists handle more advanced cases, while general dentists are suitable for simpler needs. Treatment time also varies, with orthodontists specializing in managing longer, more involved procedures efficiently. Costs depend on the complexity and duration of the treatment, but we provide transparent pricing and flexible payment plans.

Convenience is another advantage, as our practice in Somerset, NJ, offers a single location for all your dental and orthodontic needs. On average, general dental visits in Somerset range from $150 to $300, while orthodontic treatments such as braces or clear aligners can range from $4,000 to $7,000, depending on the case. We work with various insurance providers to help manage costs and offer flexible scheduling to suit your preferences.

For complex cases, consulting with our orthodontists is ideal, while simpler adjustments may be handled by our general dentists. At Midjersey Family & Implant Dentistry, we are dedicated to providing personalized, high-quality orthodontic care tailored to your unique needs.

Choosing the right professional for your dental care is key to maintaining a healthy smile. Whether you need general dental services or specialized orthodontic care, Dr. Karim Elmorshedy and Dr. Badar Raissi at Midjersey Family & Implant Dentistry are here to guide you. With their expertise, you can achieve a confident smile and improved oral health. Take the next step toward your dental goals today. To consult our professionals, please contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 107 Cedar Grove Ln Suite 102, Somerset, NJ 08873. We serve patients from Somerset NJ, New Brunswick NJ, Highland Park NJ, Piscataway NJ, Hillsborough NJ, Manville NJ, South Bound Brook NJ, and surrounding areas.