top of page
gorinOrthodontics | What is an orthodontist?

What is an Orthodontist?

What's the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist?

ORTHODONTIST

  • Has specialized orthodontic education beyond dental school

  • Prevents, diagnoses and treats facial and dental irregularities

  • Specialist in straightening teeth and aligning jaws

  • Expert knowledge of new orthodontic technologies

  • Can choose the correct treatment from all available treatment options 

DENTIST

  • Checks general oral health

  • Diagnoses oral diseases

  • Promotes oral health and disease prevention

  • Provide oral cancer screenings

  • Creates treatment plans to maintain or restore oral health 

Source: American Dental Association

Why choose an orthodontist?

Orthodontists are dental specialists who diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities. They receive an additional two to three years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth. Only those who successfully complete this formal education may call themselves “orthodontists,” and only orthodontists may be members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).

> Click here to learn about your treatment options.

Video courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontists.

Orthodontists are specialists in moving teeth and aligning jaws.

Orthodontic treatment is complex biological process that involves changes in jaw bones, facial bones and soft tissue as teeth are moved into their new positions. Orthodontists master the multi-faceted intricacies of orthodontic treatment during their two to three-year residencies in accredited orthodontic programs so that they can help patients develop healthy, beautiful smiles.

All orthodontists are dentists,

but only 6% of dentists are orthodontists.

bottom of page