As you prepare to enter the realm of dental care services as a professional, it becomes necessary that you fully grasp the differences between dentists and orthodontists. Both professions provide different forms of oral care services with large variance in earnings potential between them. If you’ve ever been curious about dentist vs orthodontist salary comparisons or key differences between their job roles, then this post offers the perfect chance for clarity.
Let’s discover together how these professions operate so we can gain a clearer picture of their inner workings.
What Do Dentists and Orthodontists Do?
Before engaging in any discussion about salaries, it is necessary to gain an understanding of the roles played by dentists and orthodontists. While both professionals work to improve oral health, their approaches and focus areas are on a completely different level.
Dentists Are Primary Healthcare Providers for Oral Health
Dentists take care of your primary oral health. Their main focus is to diagnose and treat a range of oral health issues that affect your teeth and jaws, such as:
- Treating cavities and gum disease
- performing root canals
- conducting routine cleanings and exams
- placing crowns, bridges, and veneers
- Education on Oral Hygiene
For anyone aiming to maintain their oral health, it is advised to visit your dentist in Cooper City twice a year for routine checkups and preventive care. A dentist will be the first person to spot potential alignment issues that require orthodontist intervention. They may even refer patients directly to orthodontic specialists if any alignment problems are there.
Orthodontist Are The Alignment Specialist
Orthodontists offer their specialization for correcting misalignments of your teeth and jaws via using different types of braces. Their work typically involves:
- Creating treatment plans for braces and aligners
- Addressing overbites, underbites, and crossbites
- Correcting crowded or gapped teeth
- Help with jaw alignment issues
Commonly orthodontists are known for working with teeth alignment issues that occur with children and teens. Nevertheless, in recent years, more and more adults have approached orthodontists for successful alignment treatments.
Key Differences Between Orthodontists and Dentists
While both professionals work to provide dental care services, their offerings differ significantly. Both professions are also ranked differently due to the expertise they provide to patients. Here are some pointers that will explain the key differences between orthodontists and dentists:
- Education: Dentist go through a four-year learning program after completing their undergraduate studies. But if you wish to pursue your career in the orthodontist field, you need to go through a specialist training program that will take an additional 2 to 3 years.
- Scope of Practice: As a dentist, you are responsible for taking care of a wide range of oral health issues. As an orthodontist, you are a specialist who will offer patients services associated with alignment and structural corrections.
We can even say that all orthodontists can be referred to as dentists, but not all dentists will be orthodontists as it requires specialization training.
Dentist vs Orthodontist Salary Differences
As we have now studied the differences between orthodontists and dentists, let’s move on to their salary differences. Although various factors affect each profession’s earnings (such as location, experience, and demand), orthodontists tend to earn more as their specialization earns them higher wages compared to dentists.
Average Dentist Salary
Studies conducted by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics show that general dentists earn an average annual salary of about $164,000. New practitioners generally earn between $120,000 to $140,000, while more experienced dentists could potentially reach up to an earning potential of $200,000.
Average Orthodontist Salary
As an orthodontist for braces specialist, your average earning potential will be around $250,000. However, this figure can rise as high as $350,000, depending on the practice and patient base you serve. Entry-level orthodontist salaries begin between $150,000 to $200,000 annually, while as you gain experience and build your reputation, your annual earning potential can reach as much as $400,000.
Which Career Fits Your Needs
Before you finalize your career choice in dentistry or orthodontics, take time to consider both your interests and long-term goals carefully.
- Choose Dentistry If you enjoy a wide range of procedures and wish to form relationships with patients through regular visits. Dentistry provides both stability and flexibility, with potential opportunities to open your own practice.
- Choose Orthodontics If you find yourself drawn to the mechanics of alignment and are fascinated by the transformation of patients’ smiles. Although additional training may be needed for orthodontics work, the additional salary and specialized focus may make this worthwhile.
Are You Confused about Finding the Right Solution for Your Smile
Do you find it difficult to choose between dentists and orthodontists when it comes to improving your smile? If that’s the case, here is a simple yet helpful guide:
- Choose A Dentist When: You need an expert who can perform routine checkups and ensure optimal oral care.
- Consult An Orthodontist When: You seek treatment for alignment issues of teeth or jaw and need braces for it.
Maintaining oral health is achievable only with the contribution of both these professionals. So you need to choose a care service that can offer you complete solutions for dentist and orthodontist services. If you are looking for a full-service dentistry to aid you with general dentist services and also an orthodontist for braces, Gentle Teeth & Braces Dentistry can help.
They have a dedicated team of experts to offer complete solutions for every stage of oral care. With their dentists and orthodontists, you can always rest assured that your oral health is in the best hands.
People Often Ask These Questions
What’s the main difference between a dentist and an orthodontist?
Dentists handle general dental care, while orthodontists focus on straightening teeth and fixing jaw alignment.
What do orthodontist do?
Orthodontists help fix crooked teeth, overbites, underbites, and other alignment issues using braces or aligners.
Who makes more money, a dentist vs orthodontist?
Orthodontists usually earn more because they’re specialists who have gone through extra training.
Can an orthodontist do a dentist’s job?
Orthodontists are trained as dentists but usually stick to fixing alignment problems, not general dental work.
