Both dentists and orthodontists care for your teeth, but they are not the same, and knowing the difference helps you go to the right provider. The simplest way to remember it: all orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. This guide explains what each does, how their training differs, when to see which, and what it costs. It is educational and not a substitute for professional advice.
What Each One Is
A general dentist is a licensed provider, holding a DDS or DMD degree, responsible for your overall oral health: exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions, gum-health checks, and diagnosing oral disease. An orthodontist is a dental specialist who finished dental school and then completed an additional residency focused specifically on the alignment of teeth and jaws, using braces, clear aligners, and related appliances.
How the Training Differs
Both earn the same dental degree after about four years of dental school. The orthodontist then completes an additional two-to-three-year accredited residency, roughly 3,700 hours of specialized training devoted entirely to moving teeth and jaws and to facial growth and development. That extra training is what distinguishes a specialist orthodontist from a general dentist.
Here is an important nuance: in many states a general dentist may legally offer braces or clear aligners without specialty training. Offering orthodontic treatment does not make a dentist an orthodontist, much as a general dentist can perform a root canal without being an endodontist. For complex tooth movement or jaw problems, the orthodontist’s added training is a meaningful advantage.
What Each One Does
Your dentist handles the broad range of oral health, including cleanings and exams, cavities and fillings, crowns, veneers and bonding, root canals, extractions, gum screening, and oral cancer checks. Your orthodontist diagnoses and corrects bite and alignment problems, providing traditional braces, clear aligners, retainers, and expanders, and coordinating with an oral surgeon for cases that need jaw surgery.
Cost Differences
General dental visits are routine and relatively low-cost, with cleanings and exams often largely covered by dental insurance. Orthodontic treatment is a larger, multi-year investment, commonly in the low-to-mid thousands of dollars for braces or aligners, and is often partly covered by an orthodontic-specific insurance benefit that may carry a lifetime maximum. Costs vary widely by case complexity, region, and the type of appliance.
When to See Which
Start with your general dentist for routine care and when you are unsure; they evaluate your bite and refer you to an orthodontist when specialized treatment is warranted. See a dentist for checkups and cleanings, tooth pain, cavities, crowns, gum concerns, and extractions. See an orthodontist for crooked or crowded teeth, gaps, an overbite, underbite, or crossbite, jaw misalignment, or when you want braces or aligners, especially for complex cases. You do not need a referral to see an orthodontist, and the profession recommends a child’s first orthodontic checkup by age 7 to catch developing issues early, even though treatment often starts later.
Common Misconceptions
A dentist who offers braces is not automatically an orthodontist, so it is worth checking credentials. Orthodontics is not purely cosmetic; alignment and bite affect chewing, speech, and how easily you can clean your teeth. It is not only for children; adults make up a large and growing share of patients. And mail-order or do-it-yourself aligners are not equivalent to supervised in-office treatment.
How Referrals Work
Knowing who to see first avoids wasted visits. The two roles connect naturally.
A general dentist handles cleanings, fillings, and overall oral health, and refers you to an orthodontist for braces or bite correction. You can often see an orthodontist directly for a consultation, but your dentist usually spots the need first.
Paying for Orthodontic Care
Braces are a significant expense. A few options make them manageable.
Many orthodontists offer interest-free payment plans spread over treatment. Dental insurance sometimes includes a separate orthodontic benefit, and for children Medicaid may cover medically necessary braces. Asking about these upfront helps you budget.
Orthodontist vs Dentist FAQs
What is the core difference?
A dentist manages your overall oral health, while an orthodontist specializes in straightening teeth and correcting bite and jaw alignment.
Is an orthodontist more trained than a dentist?
Yes. Both have the same dental degree, and the orthodontist adds a two-to-three-year residency.
Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist?
No. You can see an orthodontist directly.
When should my child first see an orthodontist?
By about age 7, to catch developing bite or jaw issues early, even if treatment begins later.
Can a regular dentist do my braces or aligners?
In many states, yes, but they are not an orthodontic specialist. Complex cases benefit from an orthodontist.
Is orthodontic treatment covered by insurance?
Often partially, through an orthodontic-specific benefit that may have a lifetime maximum. Coverage varies by plan.
