Both care about your oral health — but they do very different things. Understanding who does what helps you make a smarter choice when it comes to straightening your smile and correcting your bite.
See an Orthodontic SpecialistEvery orthodontist starts as a dentist — graduating from dental school with a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. What sets an orthodontist apart is what comes next: an additional 2–3 years of full-time specialty residency focused exclusively on the movement of teeth, jaw alignment, and bite correction.
A general dentist is trained to handle a broad range of oral health needs: cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canals, and basic care. An orthodontist is a specialist — trained to do one thing at the highest possible level: align your teeth and jaws for functional and aesthetic perfection.
Your dentist is your oral health home base — see them regularly for maintenance and prevention.
See an orthodontist for anything related to moving teeth, aligning your bite, or correcting jaw development.
When you choose an orthodontic specialist, you're choosing someone who has spent the bulk of their professional training focused entirely on what you're asking them to do. That level of focus translates into more precise diagnosis, more sophisticated treatment planning, and more predictable outcomes.
While some general dentists offer aligner therapy through platforms like Invisalign, they may lack the clinical depth to manage complex bite issues, relapse prevention, or cases that require coordinated jaw and tooth movement. An orthodontist sees these nuances every day.
No. You can contact an orthodontist directly and schedule a consultation without a referral. Many patients self-refer after researching their options. However, your dentist is a great partner — they can often flag bite or alignment issues during your regular visits.
Some general dentists do offer basic Invisalign treatment. However, for complex cases — including significant crowding, bite issues, jaw discrepancies, or relapse from previous treatment — seeing a board-certified orthodontic specialist will typically produce a safer and more accurate result.
Absolutely. In fact, it's more important than ever. Braces and aligners can create new areas for plaque to accumulate, so maintaining your regular dental cleanings every 6 months is essential during treatment. Your dentist and orthodontist work as a team for your overall oral health.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a child's first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. This doesn't mean treatment will begin — most children don't start until 10–14 — but early evaluation allows us to monitor jaw development and intervene before issues become more complex and costly to treat.
No. Orthodontic treatment addresses genuine health concerns. Misaligned bites can cause jaw pain, uneven tooth wear, difficulty chewing, speech issues, and increased risk of cavities in hard-to-clean areas. A straight smile is beautiful — but the functional benefits are equally important.
They're the same specialty. The full title recognized by the ADA is "Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics." Orthodontists treat both tooth movement (orthodontics) and jaw relationship issues (dentofacial orthopedics) — the distinction is mainly regulatory.
Our board-certified orthodontists have completed thousands of hours of specialty training specifically for what you need. Book your free consultation today and experience the difference a specialist makes.
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