Dentist Or Orthodontist?

By Jim Lee, DDS, MPH, MS

Alexandria Orthodontics

. https://myalexandriaortho.com/

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Dentist Or Orthodontist?

Understanding the Difference and Who You Should See

Dentists and orthodontists both care for your oral health, but their areas of expertise are different. General dentists focus on the overall health of the teeth, gums, tongue, and mouth, while orthodontists specialize in diagnosing and treating misaligned teeth, bites, and jaws. Understanding the difference can help you determine which professional is right for your needs.

How Do You Become a Dentist?

Becoming a dentist requires extensive education and training. After completing a four-year undergraduate degree, students attend four years of dental school to earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. Dentists must then meet licensing requirements before practicing.

General dentists diagnose and treat a wide variety of oral health conditions. Services may include examinations and X-rays, fillings, tooth extractions, repairing cracked teeth, treating gum disease, crowns, veneers, teeth whitening, and other restorative or cosmetic procedures. Dentists also emphasize preventive care, helping patients develop good oral hygiene habits and maintain healthy teeth and gums.

How Is an Orthodontist Different?

An orthodontist first completes the same education and training required of a general dentist. After dental school, however, an orthodontist completes an additional two to three years of specialized residency training focused specifically on tooth movement, facial development, bites, and jaw alignment.

Some orthodontists take their training a step further by pursuing board certification through the American Board of Orthodontics, which involves additional examination and evaluation.

What Does an Orthodontist Do?

Orthodontists specialize in correcting improperly positioned teeth and jaws. They diagnose conditions such as crowded or crooked teeth, gaps between teeth, and malocclusion—commonly known as an improper bite.

Treatment may include traditional braces, clear aligners such as Invisalign, retainers, palatal expanders, and other specialized orthodontic appliances. Orthodontists also monitor the development of children’s teeth, jaws, and facial structures, allowing them to identify potential problems early and determine whether treatment may be beneficial.

Orthodontic treatment isn’t only for children and teenagers. Adults who have crooked teeth, spacing, crowding, or bite problems can also benefit from an orthodontic evaluation and today’s discreet treatment options.

Who Should You See?

For routine dental needs such as toothaches, cavities, cleanings, gum problems, crowns, or general oral health concerns, your dentist is usually the appropriate place to start. If your dentist discovers an alignment or bite problem, you may be referred to an orthodontist.

Patients who already know they are concerned about crooked teeth, crowding, spacing, or jaw alignment can schedule directly with an orthodontist. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive their first orthodontic evaluation no later than age seven.

The Takeaway

Dentists and orthodontists share an important goal: helping patients achieve healthy, functional smiles. The primary difference is that orthodontists receive additional specialty training specifically focused on tooth and jaw alignment. Knowing who does what can help you choose the right professional and receive the most appropriate care for your smile.