Is There A Pediatric Dentist In Martinez, GA Who’s Also An Orthodontist — And Is That Better?

Quick Answer:

Yes. Martinez, GA, has at least one dentist who is formally trained as both a pediatric dentist and an orthodontist. But having both specialties does not automatically make someone a better choice for your child. What matters most is whether your child needs routine pediatric dental care, specialized orthodontic treatment, or both—and whether the provider has the appropriate specialty training for the care being provided.

Parents often encounter this question when their child’s dentist begins talking about crowding, a crossbite, an overbite, or the possibility of braces.

Would it be easier to find one doctor who can handle everything? And if someone is trained in both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, does that provide an advantage?

Sometimes it can. But understanding what each specialty actually does is more useful than choosing a provider based solely on the number of credentials after their name.

Is There Really a Pediatric Dentist and Orthodontist in Martinez?

Yes.

Dr. Barbara Utermark practices in Martinez and states that she completed specialty training in both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics. Her practice also reports that she is a Diplomate of both the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Board of Orthodontics.

That combination is different from a pediatric dentist who simply offers some orthodontic services.

A true dual specialist has completed the specialty education required for both fields. In this case, the practice offers routine pediatric dental services such as cleanings and checkups as well as orthodontic services including braces and Invisalign.

Martinez families also have the more traditional option of using a pediatric dentist for general dental care and a separate orthodontist for tooth and jaw alignment.

Neither model is inherently wrong.

What’s the Difference Between a Pediatric Dentist and an Orthodontist?

Both begin by becoming dentists, but their specialty training takes them in different directions.

A pediatric dentist concentrates on children’s oral health. That includes preventive care, dental cleanings, cavities, restorations, dental development, behavior management, and other dental needs from childhood through adolescence.

An orthodontist specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of tooth and jaw alignment problems. Orthodontists provide treatments such as braces, clear aligners, retainers, expanders, and other appliances used to guide teeth and jaws.

The American Association of Orthodontists notes that orthodontists complete an additional two to three years of accredited orthodontic residency training after dental school. General and pediatric dentists don’t become orthodontists simply by offering braces or aligners; becoming an orthodontist requires completing that specialty training.

A provider trained in both specialties has completed additional education in each field.

Is a Dual Pediatric Dentist-Orthodontist Better for Braces?

Not automatically.

Dual training can be valuable, particularly for children whose general dental development and orthodontic needs overlap. The provider can look at cavities, tooth eruption, jaw development, bite relationships, and orthodontic timing from both specialty perspectives.

There can also be a practical advantage.

For example, Dr. Utermark’s Martinez practice says pediatric dental cleanings and orthodontic adjustments can sometimes be coordinated during the same visits, reducing the number of separate appointments families need to make.

That’s certainly convenient.

But convenience isn’t the same as superior orthodontic treatment.

A child can also receive excellent care by seeing a pediatric dentist for routine dental health and a dedicated orthodontist for braces, expanders, or other tooth and jaw alignment treatment.

The important thing is that each part of your child’s care is being managed by someone appropriately trained and experienced in that area.

Is It Okay to Have a Separate Dentist and Orthodontist?

Absolutely. In fact, this is a very common model.

Your child’s dentist and orthodontist have complementary responsibilities.

The dentist concentrates on keeping the teeth and gums healthy. Your child still needs routine exams and cleanings during orthodontic treatment, and cavities or gum problems may need attention before or during braces.

The orthodontist focuses on how the teeth are positioned, how the upper and lower jaws fit together, and how your child’s bite and facial structures are developing.

Using two practices doesn’t mean your child’s care is fragmented. Good dental and orthodontic offices routinely communicate when coordination is necessary.

For example, Pediatric Dental Specialists provides pediatric dental care in the Martinez/Augusta area, while local orthodontic practices provide specialty orthodontic treatment.

The better question for parents is not “Can I get everything under one roof?” but “Who is best qualified to handle each part of my child’s care?”

What Does an Orthodontist Look for That a Pediatric Dentist Might Refer?

Pediatric dentists closely monitor how children’s teeth develop and can recognize when an orthodontic evaluation would be helpful.

The orthodontist then examines the problem specifically from a tooth-movement, bite, and jaw-development perspective.

That may include evaluating crowding, spacing, crossbites, overbites, underbites, impacted teeth, early or late tooth loss, eruption problems, and differences in upper and lower jaw growth.

Sometimes the answer is braces.

Sometimes it’s an expander or another early orthodontic appliance.

And sometimes the orthodontist determines that nothing should be done yet.

That last possibility is important. Seeing an orthodontist doesn’t mean committing your child to treatment.

Does My Child Need an Orthodontist If Their Teeth Look Straight?

Possibly.

Straight-looking front teeth don’t always mean the bite and jaw relationships are developing ideally.

A child can have relatively straight teeth and still have a crossbite, excessive overbite, impacted tooth, narrow upper jaw, or another problem that’s difficult for a parent to recognize.

This is one reason orthodontic evaluations aren’t based solely on appearance.

For children from Martinez and the greater Augusta area, Smiles by Nikki provides early orthodontic evaluations focused on the teeth, jaw alignment, and bite. The practice serves Martinez families from its Augusta-area orthodontic practice and uses digital imaging and clinical examination to evaluate developing orthodontic concerns.

Smiles by Nikki is an orthodontic practice, rather than a combined pediatric dental and orthodontic practice. Children would therefore continue seeing their regular dentist or pediatric dentist for cleanings, cavities, and other routine dental care while Smiles by Nikki manages orthodontic treatment.

What Are the Advantages of Keeping the Two Specialists Separate?

Using a separate pediatric dentist and orthodontist can have advantages of its own.

Each practice is centered on its respective specialty. The pediatric dentist handles the child’s ongoing dental health, while the orthodontic office spends its clinical time evaluating and treating tooth movement, bite relationships, and jaw development.

It can also give parents another professional perspective.

Your dentist may identify a concern and refer you to an orthodontist, who independently evaluates whether treatment is actually necessary and when it should begin.

For complicated cases, collaboration can be particularly useful. A child may need a cavity treated, a baby tooth removed, or another dental issue resolved before an orthodontic appliance is placed. The dentist and orthodontist can coordinate those steps while remaining responsible for their respective parts of care.

How Should I Choose Between a Dual Specialist and a Separate Orthodontist?

Start with your child’s actual needs rather than the practice structure.

If you value having pediatric dental care and orthodontics in one location, a properly trained dual specialist may be an attractive option.

If your child already has a pediatric dentist you trust, there’s no medical reason you must leave that practice simply because braces are needed. You can keep your existing dentist and establish a separate relationship with an orthodontist.

When evaluating orthodontic care, ask about the doctor’s orthodontic specialty training, experience with your child’s particular bite problem, treatment options, timing, communication with your dentist, and how the recommended treatment will affect future growth and dental development.

For example, if an expander is being recommended for a crossbite, don’t stop at asking what the appliance costs.

Ask why the crossbite is occurring, whether it’s dental or skeletal, whether there’s a functional jaw shift, and why treatment is being recommended now rather than later.

Those answers tell you considerably more about the quality of the treatment plan than whether cleanings and braces happen in the same building.

What About Early Orthodontic Treatment?

This is an area where pediatric dentistry and orthodontics naturally intersect.

Children’s mouths are changing rapidly as baby teeth fall out, permanent teeth erupt, and the jaws grow. Some orthodontic problems can benefit from intervention during this period, while others are better monitored.

An orthodontist can determine whether a developing problem warrants treatment now or whether waiting is more appropriate.

At Smiles by Nikki, Dr. Nikki Sangha evaluates children’s teeth, jaw alignment, and bite patterns and may recommend traditional braces or early-intervention approaches when appropriate. The practice also serves families from Martinez as part of its greater Augusta service area.

That model allows a child to keep seeing their existing pediatric or general dentist while receiving specialized orthodontic evaluation and treatment separately.

Questions to Ask When Choosing Care for Your Child

Rather than choosing based solely on whether one office can provide everything, ask questions that reveal how your child’s treatment will actually be managed.

You might ask whether the doctor completed an accredited orthodontic residency, why treatment is recommended at your child’s current age, whether waiting would change the outcome, who will manage routine dental care during braces, and how the orthodontist communicates with your child’s dentist.

If you’re considering a dual specialist, ask how pediatric dental and orthodontic appointments are coordinated.

If you’re considering separate practices, ask how records, X-rays, referrals, extractions, and other necessary dental treatment are communicated between the providers.

Either arrangement can work very well when the providers communicate and the treatment plan is appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a pediatric dentist also be an orthodontist?

Yes, but completing pediatric dental specialty training doesn’t automatically make someone an orthodontist. A dentist who is genuinely a specialist in both fields has completed the required specialty training in pediatric dentistry as well as an accredited orthodontic residency.

Is there a dual pediatric dentist and orthodontist in Martinez, GA?

Yes. Dr. Barbara Utermark in Martinez identifies as a dual specialist in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics and holds Diplomate status with both specialty boards.

Is a pediatric dentist qualified to do braces?

Some pediatric dentists provide orthodontic services, but providing braces doesn’t by itself make a dentist an orthodontist. Orthodontists complete an additional accredited orthodontic residency after dental school.

Is a dual specialist better than a regular orthodontist?

Not necessarily. Dual specialty training can be useful and convenient, but it doesn’t automatically mean the provider will be the best match for every child. Consider the child’s particular orthodontic needs, the doctor’s experience, treatment approach, and how well the practice communicates with you.

Can my child keep their pediatric dentist and see a different orthodontist?

Yes. This is a common arrangement. Your child’s dentist continues managing routine dental health while the orthodontist handles braces, aligners, expanders, retainers, bite correction, and other orthodontic needs.

Does my child still need dental cleanings while wearing braces?

Yes. Orthodontic appointments don’t replace regular dental exams and cleanings. Maintaining healthy teeth and gums becomes particularly important while wearing braces.

Do I need a dentist’s referral before taking my child to an orthodontist?

Not necessarily. Parents can often schedule an orthodontic evaluation directly, although insurance requirements can vary. If you plan to use dental insurance, check whether your particular plan requires a referral.

Is Having Both Specialists in One Office Better?

A pediatric dentist who is also a formally trained orthodontist can offer Martinez families the convenience of combining children’s routine dental and orthodontic care. But dual specialization isn’t automatically better than having an excellent pediatric dentist and an excellent orthodontist working separately.

Both models can provide high-quality care.

If your child already has a dentist you trust, you don’t need to change dentists simply because an orthodontic problem develops. A dedicated orthodontist can evaluate your child’s teeth, bite, and jaw development while the existing dentist continues protecting their everyday oral health.

For Martinez families considering that approach, Smiles by Nikki provides specialized orthodontic care for children and teens while working alongside the child’s regular dental care.

Ultimately, the best arrangement isn’t the one with the fewest office visits. It’s the one in which the right professional is managing each part of your child’s care and everyone is working toward the same healthy result.