Short answer: yes. All orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. If you are wondering if an orthodontist is a dentist, the answer is that an orthodontist is a dentist who has advanced specialty training in alignment and bite correction. Orthodontics is a dental specialty devoted to diagnosing, preventing, and correcting misaligned teeth and jaws. Knowing how these providers differ helps you choose the right care, whether you need regular checkups or comprehensive bite correction.
Dentist vs. Orthodontist: What Each Title Means
A dentist is a licensed oral health professional who diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the teeth, gums, and mouth. Dentists provide preventive care, repair tooth damage, manage gum disease, and deliver a wide range of restorative and cosmetic services. They are your primary partners for routine and ongoing oral health.
An orthodontist is a dentist with additional specialty training focused on tooth and jaw alignment. Remember that an orthodontist completes dental school and then pursues residency to study how teeth fit together (occlusion), how jaws grow and function, and how to guide teeth and jaws into healthy, stable positions using braces, clear aligners, and other appliances.
General dentistry covers comprehensive oral care across many areas. Specialty dentistry adds advanced training in a focused field (such as orthodontics, periodontics, or endodontics) to manage more complex or specific concerns. Working with a dentist and orthodontist together ensures both health and alignment are addressed.
Common issues each provider addresses
- Dentists: cavities, cleanings, gum disease management, root canals, crowns and bridges, extractions, cosmetic bonding, veneers, and teeth whitening.
- Orthodontists: crowding and spacing, overbites and underbites, crossbites, open bites, impacted or ectopic teeth, jaw growth discrepancies, and relapse after previous orthodontic treatment.
Education, Training, and Certification
Dentists complete prerequisite coursework or a bachelor’s degree, then attend dental school to earn a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine). These degrees are equivalent and prepare graduates for licensure as general dentists.
Orthodontists first earn a DDS or DMD, then complete a competitive orthodontic residency, typically 2 to 3 years, centered on occlusion, craniofacial growth, biomechanics, and treatment planning for braces and aligners. Only a small percentage of dental graduates are accepted into orthodontic residencies each year.
Both dentists and orthodontists must pass national and state examinations to practice. Orthodontists may also pursue board certification through the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO), which requires additional examinations and case presentations and signals a commitment to the highest standards of specialty care.
Continuing education is required for all licensed dentists, including orthodontists, to maintain licensure and stay current with evolving techniques, materials, and safety standards. Orthodontic specialists regularly train on digital treatment planning, new aligner systems, temporary anchorage devices, and advances in growth modification and airway-conscious care.
Scope of Practice: What Each Provider Does
General dentists perform preventive and restorative procedures that protect and maintain oral health:
- Exams, X-rays, and professional cleanings
- Fluoride and sealants
- Fillings for cavities
- Root canals
- Crowns, bridges, and veneers
- Simple and surgical extractions
- Periodontal therapy for gum disease
- Dentures and partials
- Cosmetic services such as whitening and bonding
Orthodontists diagnose and correct alignment and bite problems to improve function, oral health, and aesthetics. Common treatments include:
- Braces (metal or ceramic) and clear aligners
- Growth modification for children and teens, such as palatal expanders and functional appliances
- Bite correction for overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite
- Space management for erupting teeth and guidance for impacted canines
- Retention strategies to maintain results after treatment
- Interdisciplinary planning with surgeons for complex jaw discrepancies when needed
Many general dentists offer limited orthodontic services, such as minor tooth movement or clear aligners for straightforward cases. Moderate to complex malocclusions are best managed by an orthodontist. Your dentist may refer you to a specialist when alignment issues affect function, long-term stability, or the success of other treatments like implants, crowns, or veneers. In many cases, a dentist and orthodontist will coordinate care so timing and outcomes are optimized.
Choosing Care: When to See a Dentist vs. an Orthodontist
See your dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings, and for cavity treatment, gum care, and restorative work. Your dentist monitors your overall oral health and can spot early signs of bite or alignment concerns that may benefit from orthodontic care.
Consider an orthodontic evaluation if you notice
- Crowding, spacing, or teeth that don’t meet evenly when you bite
- Difficulty chewing or biting, or speech concerns related to tooth position
- Mouth breathing, jaw fatigue, or jaw clicking associated with bite issues
- Early or late loss of baby teeth, or adult teeth erupting out of position
- Protruding front teeth or a deep overbite
- Crossbite (upper teeth fit inside lower teeth) or open bite (front teeth don’t touch)
- Relapse after previous orthodontic treatment or lost/broken retainers
During a referral, your dentist shares records, X-rays, and treatment goals with the orthodontist. The orthodontist completes a comprehensive assessment that may include photos, digital scans, and 3D imaging. You’ll receive a proposed treatment plan outlining options (braces or aligners), estimated timelines, and costs. Throughout treatment, the orthodontist coordinates with your dentist to schedule cleanings and any needed restorative or periodontal care at the right times.
Smart questions to ask at your consultation
- What are my main bite and alignment issues, and what are my treatment options?
- How long will treatment take and how often will appointments be?
- Am I a good candidate for clear aligners or are braces recommended?
- What are the total costs, financing options, and what does my insurance cover?
- How might treatment affect other dental work I need?
- What retention plan will keep my results stable?
Choose a provider with extensive experience when you need an orthodontist for braces or aligners. Look for board-certified specialists for bite correction, and keep your general dentist involved for preventive and restorative needs throughout treatment. If you are comparing a dentist and orthodontist for braces, remember that complex cases benefit from specialty training.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an orthodontist a type of dentist? Yes. Orthodontists graduate from dental school and are licensed dentists who complete additional specialty training focused on tooth and jaw alignment. When people ask if an orthodontist is a dentist, they are highlighting that orthodontists are dentists with extra residency training.
Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist? In many cases, you can schedule directly with an orthodontist. Some insurance plans or dental offices prefer a referral for coordination and coverage, so check your benefits.
Can a dentist do braces or clear aligners? Some general dentists provide limited orthodontic treatment for mild cases. For moderate to complex bite issues, an orthodontist’s advanced training generally leads to more predictable results, especially if you are seeking an orthodontist for braces or multidisciplinary care with a dentist and orthodontist.
What age is best for the first orthodontic visit? The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial check by age 7. Early evaluation doesn’t always mean treatment, but it helps identify growth and eruption patterns that may benefit from timely guidance.
How long does orthodontic treatment take? Timelines vary by case complexity. Minor corrections may take 6 to 12 months, while comprehensive treatment often takes 18 to 24 months or longer. Consistent aligner or elastic wear and good oral hygiene help keep progress on track. If you are unsure whether is an orthodontist a dentist applies to your needs, remember that an orthodontist is an expert at planning the length and sequence of care.