What is an orthodontist, and how is it different from a dentist?

Page updated October 14, 2026. Medically reviewed by Dr. Abraham Thomas and Dr. Jennifer Loucks-Buren.

All orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. A general dentist looks after your overall oral health: cleanings, fillings, crowns and extractions. An orthodontist is a dentist who trained for another 24 to 36 months to specialize in straightening teeth and aligning the bite with braces, aligners and other appliances.

What is orthodontics (orthodontia)?

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that diagnoses and treats "bad bites", or malocclusion (Cleveland Clinic). Orthodontia is another word for the same field. The AAO's full name for the specialty is orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, which covers how teeth meet, how they're aligned and set in the jaws, and the size and position of the jaws (AAO).

Common orthodontic problems include overbites, underbites, and overlapping, crowded, crooked, rotated or impacted teeth (Cleveland Clinic). Treatments include braces, clear aligners, retainers and palate expanders (Cleveland Clinic). Beyond looks, a better bite makes teeth easier to clean, can improve chewing and speech, and reduces the risk of cavities, gum disease and wear (Cleveland Clinic).

What a general dentist does

Dentists, also called general or family dentists, are concerned with overall oral health (AAO). Healthline says about 80% of dentists practice general dentistry (Healthline). Their work includes (AAO) (Healthline):

• Check-ups and dental X-rays
• Filling cavities and repairing cracked teeth
• Extractions
• Treating gum disease
• Crowns, veneers and bonding
• Whitening
• Teaching patients how to prevent dental disease

What an orthodontist does

Orthodontists are specialists in the bite and the alignment of the teeth: their job is to make sure your smile looks right and your bite works properly (AAO). They (Healthline):

• Supervise facial growth, including the jaw and bite, in children
• Diagnose and treat misaligned teeth and jaws
• Plan treatment with braces and retainers
• Fit appliances such as braces, palatal expanders, headgear and Herbst appliances

Cleveland Clinic notes that orthodontists don't perform general dentistry such as fillings, crowns or bridges (Cleveland Clinic), so you keep seeing your dentist for cleanings during orthodontic treatment (AAO).

Orthodontist vs dentist: training

Only orthodontists who have completed that training can join the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).

Dentist vs orthodontist vs oral surgeon

A third professional often comes up: the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. All three start with the same dental school education, and every orthodontist and oral surgeon is also a licensed dentist (AAO).

They often work as a team. In surgical orthodontics, the orthodontist moves the teeth into position before surgery, the oral surgeon repositions one or both jaws, and the orthodontist fine-tunes the bite after healing (AAO); see jaw surgery cost. An orthodontist may also refer you to an oral surgeon to deal with an impacted, extra or crowded tooth before braces go on (AAO).

The letters after a dentist's name, DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine), mean the same level of training; dental schools simply choose which name to use (AAO).

Can a dentist do braces?

Sometimes. General dentists are licensed to practice dentistry, and some states allow them to provide specialty care without formal specialty training. Just as a dentist who does a root canal isn't an endodontist, a dentist who provides braces or aligners isn't an orthodontist (AAO). Cleveland Clinic says some general dentists offer braces, but severe malocclusion needs a specialist (Cleveland Clinic).

If a dentist offers to straighten your teeth, it's reasonable to ask how many orthodontic cases they treat, what training they have, and whether they'd refer complex cases to an orthodontist.

Should you see an orthodontist or a dentist?

Get dental problems sorted first: you shouldn't start orthodontic treatment with extensive decay or gum disease (Cleveland Clinic).

Do you need a referral?

No. You don't have to wait for a dentist to refer you or your child to an orthodontist (AAO); many orthodontists see patients without one (Cleveland Clinic). A referral might never come if the dentist isn't evaluating the bite (AAO). Signs a child should see an orthodontist include early or late loss of baby teeth, difficulty chewing or biting, mouth breathing, jaws that shift or make sounds, speech difficulties, biting the cheek or roof of the mouth, facial imbalance, and grinding or clenching (AAO).

Check your insurance, though: some insurers require a dentist's referral before they'll pay for a specialist (Healthline).

How to choose an orthodontist

The AAO suggests looking for a specialist who takes time to understand your concerns, bases the plan on a proper diagnosis with an exam, photos and X-rays, and explains the options rather than offering one plan for everyone (AAO). Braces aren't automatically better than aligners, or the other way round; the right choice depends on your needs and goals (AAO). Questions to ask at the consultation (AAO):

• Are you an orthodontist, and a member of the American Association of Orthodontists?
• What problems do you see in my smile or bite?
• Which treatment do you recommend, and why?
• How often will I need appointments?
• What will it cost, and what payment and insurance options are there?
• How do you handle emergencies, broken appliances and retainer follow-up?

Convenience matters too, because treatment involves many visits over months (AAO). It's normal to get different plans from different orthodontists; ask each to explain their reasoning (AAO).

Cost: orthodontist vs dentist

We don't have published data comparing what dentists and orthodontists charge for the same treatment. What you can do: most AAO orthodontists offer low-cost or free first consultations (AAO), and at that visit they present the cost, payment options and insurance coverage (AAO). Compare written quotes for the same plan. For typical prices, see how much braces cost or use the braces cost calculator.