Orthodontics vs. Orthopedics — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 19, 2024
Orthodontics focuses on correcting dental and jaw alignment, while orthopedics deals with diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal system issues.
Difference Between Orthodontics and Orthopedics
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Orthodontics is a dental specialty dedicated to diagnosing, preventing, and treating malocclusions (improper bites) and misaligned teeth. Orthodontists use braces, aligners, and other devices to straighten teeth and correct jaw positioning, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics of the oral cavity. Orthopedics, on the other hand, is a medical specialty focused on the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Orthopedic doctors treat conditions such as fractures, arthritis, and sports injuries using surgical and non-surgical methods.
Orthodontics primarily deals with dental and maxillofacial anomalies, addressing issues like overbites, underbites, and crowded teeth. Orthopedic specialists handle a broader range of physical conditions, from skeletal deformities to muscular problems, providing care for conditions like scoliosis, joint replacements, and torn ligaments.
Training for orthodontists involves dental school followed by specialized orthodontic education. Orthopedic surgeons complete medical school, followed by residency in orthopedic surgery. While both fields require extensive training, their focus and methods differ significantly.
Orthodontic treatments typically involve long-term care plans, with patients often wearing braces or aligners for several months to years. Orthopedic treatments can vary widely, from physical therapy and medication to complex surgical procedures, depending on the condition's severity.
In terms of tools, orthodontists use dental appliances like braces, retainers, and expanders, focusing on gradual adjustments. Orthopedic specialists use a variety of tools, including surgical instruments, imaging technology, and prosthetics, to restore or improve musculoskeletal function.
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While orthodontics aims to improve oral health and appearance, orthopedics strives to enhance mobility and quality of life by treating musculoskeletal disorders, illustrating their respective impacts on patients' well-being.
Comparison Chart
Specialty Focus
Dental and jaw alignment
Musculoskeletal system
Common Treatments
Braces, aligners, retainers
Surgery, physical therapy, medication
Training Path
Dental school + orthodontic residency
Medical school + orthopedic surgery residency
Treatment Duration
Long-term (months to years)
Varies (short-term to long-term)
Tools Used
Braces, aligners, expanders
Surgical instruments, imaging, prosthetics
Primary Goal
Improve oral health and aesthetics
Enhance mobility and treat musculoskeletal issues
Compare with Definitions
Orthodontics
Addresses issues such as overcrowded teeth.
Orthodontic treatment helped align her crowded teeth.
Orthopedics
Treats conditions like fractures, arthritis, and sports injuries.
Physical therapy is a common orthopedic treatment for joint pain.
Orthodontics
Requires specialized training after dental school.
He completed a residency in orthodontics to become a certified orthodontist.
Orthopedics
Requires medical school and specialized residency.
He trained in orthopedic surgery after completing his medical degree.
Orthodontics
Treatment involves devices like braces and aligners.
Invisalign aligners are a popular orthodontic treatment for straightening teeth.
Orthopedics
Involves extensive knowledge of bones, muscles, and joints.
Orthopedic specialists help manage chronic conditions like osteoporosis.
Orthodontics
Dental specialty focusing on correcting teeth and jaw misalignments.
She visited an orthodontist to get braces for her overbite.
Orthopedics
Medical specialty focused on the musculoskeletal system.
The orthopedic surgeon repaired his broken leg.
Orthodontics
Aims to improve oral function and appearance.
Proper orthodontic care can significantly enhance a person's smile.
Orthopedics
Utilizes both surgical and non-surgical methods.
Orthopedic treatment for herniated discs can include surgery or physical therapy.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics is a dentistry specialty that addresses the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of mal-positioned teeth and jaws, and misaligned bite patterns. It may also address the modification of facial growth, known as dentofacial orthopedics.
Orthopedics
The branch of medicine that deals with the prevention or correction of injuries or disorders of the skeletal system and associated muscles, joints, and ligaments.
Orthodontics
(used with a sing. verb) The dental specialty dealing with correction of irregularities of the teeth, such as malocclusion, often by the use of braces.
Orthopedics
(medicine) The branch of medicine that deals with the prevention or correction of disorders of the bones and associated muscles and joints
Orthodontics
(medicine) A specialty of dentistry concerned with correcting misalignment of teeth.
Orthopedics
The art or practice of correcting disorders or deformities of the spine and joints, or, by extension, any deformities of the human body.
Orthodontics
A branch of dentistry specializing in the treatment of the teeth so as to make the teeth align properly within the mouth; it usually involves fitting a patient with braces and sometimes oral surgery.
Orthopedics
The branch of medical science concerned with disorders or deformities of the spine and joints
Orthodontics
The branch of dentistry dealing with the prevention or correction of irregularities of the teeth
Common Curiosities
What are common treatments in orthopedics?
Treatments can include surgery, physical therapy, and medication.
What type of education is required for an orthodontist?
Orthodontists complete dental school followed by specialized training in orthodontics.
What does an orthopedic doctor do?
An orthopedic doctor treats musculoskeletal issues, including bones, joints, and muscles, using surgical and non-surgical methods.
What are common treatments in orthodontics?
Common treatments include braces, retainers, and aligners.
How long do orthodontic treatments usually last?
Orthodontic treatments typically last several months to years.
What does an orthodontist do?
An orthodontist corrects teeth and jaw alignment using braces, aligners, and other dental devices.
What conditions do orthopedic doctors treat?
Orthopedic doctors treat fractures, arthritis, sports injuries, and other musculoskeletal disorders.
Can orthodontic treatment improve aesthetics?
Yes, orthodontic treatment can significantly improve the appearance of teeth and smile.
How long do orthopedic treatments usually last?
Orthopedic treatment duration varies widely, from short-term to long-term, depending on the condition.
What tools do orthodontists use?
Orthodontists use braces, aligners, expanders, and retainers.
What type of education is required for an orthopedic doctor?
Orthopedic doctors complete medical school followed by residency in orthopedic surgery.
Can orthopedic treatment improve mobility?
Yes, orthopedic treatment aims to enhance mobility and quality of life.
What conditions do orthodontists treat?
Orthodontists treat malocclusions, misaligned teeth, and jaw irregularities.
What tools do orthopedic doctors use?
Orthopedic doctors use surgical instruments, imaging technology, and prosthetics.
Are orthodontic and orthopedic treatments covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by provider and policy, but both types of treatments can be covered under health or dental insurance plans.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
