What's the difference? Dentist vs. orthodontist?

Click here for an article posted on globalnews.com-see Dr. Barnett's Blog below:

We get questions a lot from patients about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist.  Well, to put it simply, most dentists are not orthodontists but all orthodontists are dentists.  There are almost 200,000 dental graduates practicing some form of dentistry in the United States and only about 10,000 of them are orthodontists.  While dentists can do orthodontic work, they cannot call themselves "orthodontists" as they have not completed a 2-3 year residency beyond dental school. This specialized training teaches an orthodontist the art and science of tooth movement beyond what they learn in a basic 4-year dental school. 

While some dentists may perform adequate orthodontic work, there is no doubt that in the medical/dental world, specialized training is highly valued.  Dr. Barnett completed his residency at Boston Univeristy from 2003-2005.  He trained under world renowned orthodontists as he developed his skills before returning to the Akron, Ohio area to a limited practice of Orthodontics.  We treat both adults and children and are proud of our work and exceptional customer service. 

Unfortunately, the linked article shows an extreme example of someone who did not understand the person doing her braces was not an orthodontist and had a bad experience.  Make sure you do your research on the person potentially doing your orthodontic treatment. 

Have a little "Faith", you won't be the only adult in braces

If you're an adult considering orthodontic treatment, you're not alone. From superstar Faith Hill to the everyday super-moms and super-dads, adults make up 25% of today's orthodontic population.

At the 2013 Grammys this year, Faith Hill proudly displayed her dental accessories and created quite a buzz with the mainstream media. The Today Show on NBC ran a segment this week discussing the growing popularity and social acceptability of adult orthodontic treatment. At Barnett orthodontics, we're proud to provide Akron's adult population with numerous esthetic treatment options from clear braces to Invisalign removable clear aligners. Often the objectives of adult orthodontic treatment are different from adolescent treatment and the overall amount of time one needs to spend in braces can be less. 



Our team at Barnett Ortho would be happy to discuss if orthodontics could be beneficial for you. Call our Barberton office today at 330-745-4497. We proudly serve numerous Akron OH communities, are conveniently located, and provide complimentary consultations. 

Here's a link to a blog post we wrote in 2009 about celebrities and braces.