Orthodontics is one of nine dental specialties. Just like doctors specialize to become gynaecologist & ophthalmologist; dentists also specialize to be a specialist e.g. Orthodontists, Prosthodontists, Maxillo -Facial Surgeons, etc.

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who works to prevent or correct misaligned teeth and jaws, which are called malocclusions or faulty occlusions. A person may seek this specialist’s services for cosmetic as well as health reasons. Orthodontists’ treatment addresses both these factors simultaneously. In essence treatment aims to improve a patient’s physical appearance and reduce the risk of tooth decay, periodontal disease and stress on the chewing muscles. Specific problems that orthodontists treat include under bites, overbites, large spaces between the teeth and crowding, which occurs when teeth are grouped too closely together.

Orthodontists use tools such as braces, retainers and functional appliances (Dentofacial Orthopaedics) to move teeth into better positions and to retrain muscles. Dentofacial Orthopaedics forms a large part of orthodontic training and this means our skills and knowledge allow us to control and modify the growing bones of the jaw and pending eruption of the permanent teeth, allowing future corrections to take effect more smoothly and quickly. Jaw modification is so important that when carried out at the correct age, i.e. while patient is still growing; it can eliminate the need for jaw surgery later in life!

How is an orthodontist different from a dentist? This is a question we commonly hear from prospective patients, and we understand that the difference between an orthodontist and dentist may be unclear to people who aren’t members of the dental community.

This page is designed to give our current and future patients a solid understanding of what distinguishes an orthodontist from a dentist. If you have questions that we haven’t answered here, we invite you to contact us so that we can help you make the most educated decision possible about the future health and beauty of your smile.

Orthodontic Training

The main factor that distinguishes an orthodontist from a dentist is the specialized training a dentist must undergo to become an orthodontist. All dentists and orthodontists must graduate from dental school before being certified to practice dentistry. Some people choose to pursue further education so that they can gain the in-depth training that qualifies them to specialize in a specific area of dentistry, such as orthodontics. Orthodontic training programs are very competitive: only the brightest and most dedicated dentists are accepted, and even fewer have the dedication necessary to complete this rigorous course of study.