May 15 is the World Orthodontic Health Day a perfect time to learn more about orthodontists and the type of care they provide.

Who is an orthodontist? How are orthodontists different from dentists?
All orthodontists are dentists, they are required to get a few more years of school and extra specialized training on the science of orthodontics after dental school. Similar to how doctors choose to specialize in different areas, like anesthesiology or pediatrics, dentists can also specialize in a specific area, like orthodontics.

Orthodontics is a dental specialty focused on diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental irregularities and skeletal deformities of the face. Things like malocclusions (bad bites) or crowded teeth are exactly the reasons for which you seek out an orthodontist.

DID YOU KNOW: The earliest toothbrushes, dating back to 3500-3000 B.C. in Babylonia and Egypt, were "chew sticks"—twigs with frayed ends. Later, around 1498, the Chinese invented the first bristle toothbrush, which used stiff, coarse hairs from the necks of hogs for bristles, set into handles carved from bone or bamboo. Thank goodness the future invented the electric toothbrush! All new treatment starts at iSmile Orthodontics will go home with a brand new Orab-B professional electric toothbrush! Please don't "Chew on sticks!" 🤣