What's the Difference Between a Dentist and an Orthodontist?

My daughter wants to fix her smile and our dentist said he could put braces on. However, my friend said I should see an orthodontist. What's the difference? Thanks!

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by awaredad in California

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Difference between a dentist and an orthodontist

An orthodontist is a dentist, who after graduating from dental school, completes a 2 year full-time university based education in an accredited orthodontic residency program. By learning about tooth movement (orthodontics) and guidance of facial development (dentofacial orthopedics), orthodontists are the specifically educated experts in dentistry to straighten teeth and align jaws. Orthodontists limit their practices to orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. This means that... more

There is a big difference.

To become an orthodontist, you must compete with others who finished at the top of their dental school class. Then you attend a residency program full-time for an additional 2 or 3 years to earn a Certificate in Orthodontics and in many cases a Master's Degree. In these residencies you study under very well respected and well-known orthodontists. Some dentists do perform orthodontic treatment without this advanced training or may even take an... more

Orthodontists ONLY do braces

While a dentist may be trained to do braces, they are not limiting their practice ONLY to braces and may do all phases of dentistry (root canals, oral surgery, etc). Many dentists choose NOT to offer services that specialists offer, as they may not be as able to perform the services as well as a specialist yet are held to the same standard of care. Some towns are too small to support a specialist, so the only option may be a general dentist. If your general dentist... more

Orthodontist is a specialist

Hi. . .Taken directly from the American Association of Orthodontists website, " An orthodontist has 2-3 years specialized training beyond dental school and is a specialist in straightening teeth and insuring proper form and function." I would recommend that you take your daughter to an orthodontist and that you visit the American Association of Orthodontists website at www.braces.org to learn more about the specialty of orthodontics and how to find one in... more

An Orthodontist is a Dentist who specializes in straightening Teeth

Dentists, like medical doctors, may choose to specialize. An Orthodontist (Ortho - Greek -0 to straighten as in Orthopedic - straightener of children) is a dentist who specializes in straightening teeth