A Comprehensive Overview of Orthodontists- The Tooth Magicians!

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• Posted On June 12, 2025

Picture this. You’re suffering from a severe case of malocclusion (misalignment of teeth), and have decided to visit the dentist’s chamber. However, you’re confused because you don’t know whom to approach- a dentist or an Orthodontist! Well, to be honest, it’s not just you! Many of us don’t know the difference, which leads to confusing situations like this sometimes. So, let’s explore this blog till the end to learn what is an Orthodontist, and what differentiates these professionals from a dentist.

Orthodontists- A Brief Outlook

An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed two to three years of additional training after graduating from a dental school. They are specialized professionals who focus on diagnosing, preventing, and treating irregularities associated with our teeth and jaw. For instance, if you take the above-cited example, malocclusion is a case that requires the expertise of an orthodontist, not a dentist. Therefore, now you know whom to visit!

Role of an Orthodontist

Now that you’re aware of what an orthodontist is, let’s take a look at the roles that these professionals play, and how can orthodontic treatment help.

The main focus of orthodontists is to change the position of teeth in your mouth and treat any kind of dental abnormalities. So, what does an orthodontist do? The following are some of the cases that fall under an orthodontist’s specialization:

• Crooked teeth.
• Suffering from ‘bite’ problems (underbite or overbite)    
• Crowded teeth (teeth placed too close to each other) or gaps between your teeth.
• Misalignment of the jaw.

An orthodontist would make use of dental devices like braces, retainers, or bands to fix your misaligned teeth. Although you may think that orthodontists are meant for children, the fact of the matter is that people of any age can approach an orthodontist and get their dental issues fixed.

Orthodontist vs Dentist- What Are The Differences?

Before getting into the difference part, remember this line: “All orthodontists are dentists. But not all dentists are orthodontists!’

That being said, let’s continue to look at the differences between these two professionals.

• Dentists and orthodontists have to attend dental school. However, a dentist starts their practice right after graduating, while an orthodontist has to complete more than 2- 3 years of education and training in an orthodontic residency program.

Dentists are more concerned with oral problems related to the teeth, gums, and other tissues present in the oral cavity. Whereas an orthodontist deals with correcting the abnormalities in the patient’s teeth and jaw, which includes taking 360° dental X-rays and impressions to craft molds of the teeth as well.

Do Orthodontists Conduct Surgeries?

Many of you may think, “Does an orthodontist do surgery or not?” Well, simply speaking, orthodontists are specialized professionals who deal with non-surgical methods to align a patient’s teeth.

However, in case of severe misalignments, an orthodontist might perform teeth straightening surgeries.

To Conclude

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that specifically deals with the treatment of your teeth and jaw. Hence, if you have misalignment issues or have crooked teeth, an orthodontist is the best professional who can rightfully assess your problem and take steps to alleviate it effectively.

Theresa Perez

Theresa Perez is a seasoned writer for the health industry dedicated to providing fact-based health information. She sources concise facts from authoritative sources to ensure maximum credibility and shares guidelines to lead a healthy lifestyle.