What's the difference between a Dentist and an Orthodontist?

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Drs. Ron Erkis and Lynnsay Hickman started out in dental school and earned a DDS (dental degree), just like your dentist. After dental school however, Drs. Erkis and Hickman decided they wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So they stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics, which focuses on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there are dental experts at Erkis & Hickman Orthodontics to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

Give our office a call if you have any questions or if you need to schedule your next visit.