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 Dr. Gregory Scott started out in dental school and earned a dental degree, just like your dentist. After dental school however, Dr. Scott decided he wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So he 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's a dental expert at Scott Orthodontics to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

Meet Our Orthodontist

Dr. Gregory Scott attended the University of Florida and received both a B.A. in English and a B.S. in Chemistry from Eastern Michigan University. He received his dental degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D. C.

Following dental school, he attended the University of Detroit where he received his certificate as a Specialist in Orthodontics and his Master of Science degree. He is involved in the treatment of cleft lip and palate and jaw joint dysfunction. He is a member of the American Cleft Palate Association, Children’s Medical Services, and is on staff at the Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He is certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Scott and his wife Michelle have three sons and moved to Lakeland in 1987 when he began practicing orthodontics.

To stay up to date on the latest techniques and technologies, Dr. Scott is a member of the Polk County Dental Association, the West Coast Dental Association of Florida, the Florida Dental Association, the American Dental Association, the Southern Association of Orthodontics, the American Association of Orthodontics, and the American Board of Orthodontics.