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Orthodontist or Dentist for Braces. Which is better?

Home » Blog » Orthodontist or Dentist for Braces. Which is better?

smiling teen girl with braces

So you have decided to take the next step in your oral care and invest in some braces for yourself or your child. You may be wondering, “Why do I need to go see an orthodontist? I already have a dentist and they can do the same thing as an orthodontist, right? Or why do I do I need a to get another doctor? I trust the one I’ve got.” These are all valid questions, but it is a bit more complex than that. We understand not wanting to go through the hassle of going to another doctor’s office and with someone you may not know.  But when it comes to getting the best oral treatment that you can get you want to go with the best.

 

It’s such a crucial treatment that you don’t want to cut corners on who is taking care of you. Picking a dentist over an experienced and knowledgeable orthodontist could lead to wasted time and possibly painful complications.  Craig and Streight Orthodontics want to make sure you make the right choice when it comes time to get yours or your children’s braces.  We will help explain the differences between a dentist and orthodontist and why you should choose an orthodontist to take care of your oral treatment.

Similarities and Differences

Thinking that a Dentist and Orthodontist are the same thing isn’t that uncommon.  They both deal with teeth right?  Well yes but one happens to be a more specialized than the other. Understanding what these two doctors can do for you will make more informed on who to chose for overall teeth cleaning and who to work with for braces.

 

Dentists specialize in problems with the teeth and gums. They deal mostly with general dental problems, like tooth decay and gum disease, and encourage their patients to practice good oral hygiene and get regular cleanings every six months.

 

Orthodontists go through the same schooling as a dentist but then go through a two-year residency program specializing in orthodontics.  An orthodontist deals with more serious problems such as tooth and jaw alignment.  They spend these two extra years studying how teeth move and grow and how the jaw functions. Orthodontists primarily deal with malocclusions, which are problems with the bite.  Some of the most common issues they treat are:

  • overbite
  • underbite
  • crowded teeth
  • crossbite
  • improperly spaced teeth

As you can see an orthodontist knows quite a bit about your teeth that a normal dentist is not familiar with. With this type of specialization, you know that an orthodontist is skilled in braces because it is what he works on all day.

Schooling and Training

smiling girl with glasses and bracesOrthodontist and dentist have to graduate from the same dental schools and must undergo extensive training. However, the orthodontist goes through another two or three years of orthodontics residency program.  Becoming an orthodontist is very competitive, and only 10% of the top dentist make it into the program. These guys are the best dentist there are and only after successfully completing the two-three years of full-time training can they call themselves orthodontist.  As an orthodontist, they can now work on braces, bite problems, and straightening teeth.

 

Can Dentist provide teeth straightening?

The short answer is yes, but it is a bit more complicated than that. The only way a dentist can perform orthodontic treatments is if they go to continuing education seminars and gain experience working with an orthodontist. They can also attend workshops to supplement their lack of knowledge of the treatments, but it is not the same specialization that an orthodontist trains in.  Dentists do not go through the rigorous testing and examinations that an orthodontist study extensively to understand this specific material in depth. For the most part, dentists realize this and recommend an orthodontist that they trust to take care of their patients.

 

Orthodontists work with teeth straightening and jaw alignments on a continuous basis. They also attend continuing education seminars so that they can keep up with all the new methods and techniques that keep changing in the orthodontic field. Orthodontists also have the best and most up-to-date technology to take care of your orthodontic treatment.  They customize the oral treatment specifically for you, where as a dentist takes the approach that one size fits all.

 

So do you choose a dentist or an orthodontist?

smiling girl with braces

Of course, the choice is up to the patient whether they want to go with their dentist or an orthodontist. Think of it this way: you don’t want just any surgeon doing open heart surgery, right? No, you want a cardiologist to take care of you because they specialize in that field.  It goes the same for dentists and orthodontists.  A dentist takes care of general oral care whereas the orthodontist specializes in metal braces, Invisalign, ceramic braces, and teeth straightening.  Why would you go to a dentist that doesn’t know the in’s and outs of orthodontic care? You wouldn’t, going with an orthodontist that has the knowledge and experience is what will lead to success with your new braces.

 

Craig and Streight Orthodontics want all of your friends and future patients to be knowledgeable about their oral care. Providing the best experience optimized for your oral care is of the utmost importance to us.  We want your braces treatment to be successful and without any complications. Craig and Streight orthodontic team has the knowledge and experience to the individual care that it takes to create the beautiful smile of your dreams. If you are in the Norman, Mustang or Oklahoma City area, please give us a call and schedule a free consultation. We would be more than happy to discuss and help you with traditional metal braces, ceramic braces or maybe Invisalign treatment.  Our amazing team at Craig and Streight would love to talk with you and discuss the positive impact an orthodontic treatment can have for you.

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Patient Testimonials

Hear what Our Patients Are Saying About
Their Experience With Us

Diana G.
CSO is the best! The team is wonderful. I highly recommend to all my friends and family.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your amazing feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience with our team. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we appreciate your support!
stephanie S.
Dr. Streight is amazing and thinks outside of the box of orthodontics! He listens to your concerns and makes sure to discuss all possibilities before implementing a plan. I interviewed many orthodontists before landing here. I have five children and wanted to make sure I was comfortable with our choice. Now that we have used Dr Streight for two years, we could not be happier ! He is truly a problem solver and did wonders for us. Many orthodontists wanted to take the quickest and easiest route to restore my kiddos’ mouths; however he manipulated the palate over time and and created space for growth and movement in their mouths without the immediate pull of teeth while
preventing surgeries and long term damage. He is a master at his profession. Thank you for lifetime of healthy, happy teeth and smiles!
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to leave us a great 5-star review!
Ila F.
The doctors and staff are professional and kind! Any issues have been immediately responded to and we have been very pleased with our child's care.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that you and your child have had such a positive experience with our team. Our commitment to professionalism and responsiveness is at the heart of what we do, and your feedback truly motivates us. We look forward to continuing to provide excellent care!
devinsellers
5 stars is an understatement
I feel like more than a patient when im there
Very thoughtful very helpful
Willing to work with my busy schedule
I've been going there for almost 3 years now and have yet to have a bad experience
10 out of 10 would recommend
Response from the owner:Hi Devin. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you feel valued and supported during your visits. It's great to know that our team has been able to accommodate your schedule and provide a positive experience over the years. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to continuing to serve you!
Joe A.
My daughter is very happy with her smile after her braces were off. We are very pleased with the outcome.
Response from the owner:Hi Joe. Thank you for sharing your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that your daughter is so happy with her new smile. It's always rewarding to see such positive outcomes, and we appreciate your support!
Adam M.
Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Easy to understand every step and get started that day with a journey to a better smile.
Response from the owner:Hi Adam. Thank you for your fantastic feedback! We're so glad to hear that our team made your experience enjoyable and clear. Your journey to a better smile is important to us, and we appreciate your support!
Hilary D.
Patient & kind staff. My kids were stoked to get t-shirts & play games while waiting.
Response from the owner:Hi Hilary. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're delighted to hear that our team made your visit enjoyable for both you and your kids. Creating a welcoming environment is important to us, and it's great to know that the t-shirts and games added to the fun. We appreciate your feedback!
Michelle B.
Such great staff and extremely attentive to making sure my treatment is effective. Love coming in!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Michelle! We're thrilled to hear that our staff has made a positive impact on your treatment experience. We look forward to seeing you at your next visit!
Rachel A.
We have been seeing Dr. Craig and Dr. Streight for about 18 months. They were recommended to us by several others, as well as our dentist. We have had a very positive experience. We are hopefully almost done, and our next child is starting to see them now as well. We are confident he is in good hands.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star review!
Mike C.
Did us a solid job. We agreed on a price and they held up their end. No complaints.
Response from the owner:Hey Mike. Thank you for your feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience and that everything went smoothly. Your satisfaction is important to us, and we appreciate your support!
Vanessa Monik R.
First, I am extremely thankful and happy with the customer service here at Craig & Streight orthodontics! After going to a total of 3 different Orthos, I decided CSO was perfect for my needs. I was able to get my braces on same day and they tailored a payment schedule to my budget. Kari and Ryan listened to me and answered all my questions. Thank you everyone! A BIG Thank you to the gal that applied my braces. I look forward to this journey with CSO!
Response from the owner:Hi Vanessa. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that our team was able to meet your needs and make your journey with braces a positive one. Your kind words about Kari, Ryan, and our staff mean a lot to us. We’re excited to support you every step of the way!
Alyssa C.
My kids and I had a great experience! The staff was informative, the new technology was impressive, and the pricing was very reasonable. We were in and out quickly with a same-day consultation, and they were able to start the services my son needed right away. Plus, the fun arcade games kept the kids entertained while we waited. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Hi Alyssa. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that you and your kids enjoyed your visit and found our staff informative and our technology impressive. It's great to know that the quick service and entertainment options made your time with us enjoyable. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back!
Jen K.
They are always encouraging and give her such positive feedback each time my daughter scans for her invisaline. Every step of the process has been excellent
Response from the owner:Hi Jen. Thank you for sharing your experience! It’s wonderful to hear that your daughter is receiving such positive encouragement throughout her Invisalign journey. We’re dedicated to making every step a great one, and your feedback truly motivates us to keep up the good work!
Susn J.
The best Orthodontist office you’ll ever find. Everyone goes above and beyond to help! Can’t imagine going anywhere else! The kids love going!
Response from the owner:Hi Susan. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you and your kids have such a positive experience with our team. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels supported. We appreciate your trust in us and look forward to continuing to provide exceptional care!
Rachel D.
We went in for a consultation after a horrible consultation with another orthodontist and let me say Dr. Craig and her staff are absolutely AMAZING!! My daughter was super hesitant after the previous encounter with the other orthodontist but the staff here at Craig and Streight are top notch! They immediately eased my daughter's mind with their kindness! Went in for a consultation walked out with braces and a great office to take care of her dental needs! Thank you!!!
Response from the owner:Hi Rachel. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that Dr. Craig and our team were able to provide such a positive and reassuring environment for your daughter. It's wonderful to know that we could help ease her concerns and support her dental journey. We appreciate your trust in us and look forward to continuing to care for your family's needs!

Our locations

Norman Office

706 24th Ave NW
Norman, OK 73069

Mustang Office

1476 N Mustang Rd
Mustang, OK 73064

South Oklahoma City

12100 S Western Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73170

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Mustang, OK 73064
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