The short answer is that a general dentist looks after your overall oral health, and an orthodontist is the specialist who straightens teeth and corrects bite problems. Both providers go to dental school. The orthodontist then spends extra years training only on how teeth move and how bites work. So for cleanings, cavities, and general oral health, you see your dentist. For crooked or crowded teeth, gaps, or a bite that does not line up, you see an orthodontist.
At Wendling Orthodontics, we have helped families across Flint and Grand Blanc straighten teeth and correct bites since 1998, and which provider to see is one of the questions we hear most. The difference comes down to training and focus, and that is what decides who can best help with your concern.
What does a general dentist do?
Your general dentist is the provider you see for everyday oral care. That includes routine checkups and cleanings, filling cavities, placing crowns, removing teeth that cannot be saved, and helping you keep your gums healthy. They watch over the general health of your whole mouth.
Becoming a general dentist takes an undergraduate degree, four years of dental school, and passing the exams needed for a license. Your dentist is also often the first person to notice a problem with how your teeth line up. When they see crowding or a bite that is off, they will usually point you toward an orthodontist for a closer look.
What does an orthodontist do?
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who focuses on straightening teeth and correcting bites, which dentists call malocclusion. To do that, they move teeth into better positions using tools like braces and clear aligners.
Orthodontists are also trained in how the jaws and face grow, which is called dentofacial orthopedics. In children, that training lets an orthodontist guide jaw growth while a child is still developing. So an orthodontist handles both the position of the teeth and the way the upper and lower jaws fit together.
What’s the difference in training between a dentist and an orthodontist?
A general dentist and an orthodontist start the same way, with an undergraduate degree and four years of dental school. After dental school, an orthodontist keeps training. They complete an accredited residency that runs another two to three years and covers only orthodontics: how teeth move, how to correct bites, and how to guide jaw growth.
Orthodontics is a recognized dental specialty, and orthodontists are a small group. All orthodontists are dentists, but only about 6% of dentists are orthodontists.
Every orthodontist at Wendling Orthodontics completed that specialty residency, so straightening teeth and correcting bites is the work we focus on every day. You can get to know our doctors on our meet the doctors page.
Is an orthodontist also a dentist?
Yes, an orthodontist is a fully qualified dentist. Every orthodontist is a dentist, but not every dentist is an orthodontist. That is the part that tends to confuse people.
Dentist vs orthodontist at a glance
| General dentist | Orthodontist | |
|---|---|---|
| Education and training | Undergraduate degree, four years of dental school, and licensing | The same dental school, plus a two to three year residency focused only on orthodontics |
| Primary focus | The general health of your whole mouth | Straightening teeth and correcting bites |
| Common services | Checkups, cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions, and gum care | Braces, clear aligners, retainers, and bite and jaw correction |
| Braces, aligners, and bite correction | Some general dentists offer limited orthodontic treatment | The specialist trained specifically in moving teeth and correcting bites |
| When to see them | Routine care and general oral health | Crooked or crowded teeth, gaps, and bite problems |
Can a general dentist do braces or Invisalign®?
This question comes up often, and the honest answer is that a licensed dentist may legally offer braces or clear aligners in many states, and some general dentists do. An orthodontist, though, has years of dedicated training in exactly how teeth move and how bites are corrected. That training matters most for complex cases and for getting predictable results. So for a complicated bite or a big change in tooth position, an orthodontist is usually the better choice.
Who should you see for your situation?
Which provider you see mostly depends on what you are noticing, or on what your dentist has already pointed out. Here is a simple way to tell.
See your general dentist when:
- You are due for a routine checkup or cleaning
- A tooth hurts, feels sensitive, or looks like it has a cavity
- A tooth is chipped or cracked, or one needs to come out
- Your gums bleed, feel sore, or look swollen
See an orthodontist when:
- Your teeth look crooked or crowded, or you have gaps you would like closed
- Your top and bottom teeth do not meet the way they should when you bite down
- You or your child are thinking about braces or clear aligners
- Your dentist has told you it is time to have your bite or alignment looked at
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist?
No. You can schedule an orthodontic consultation directly, without a referral from your dentist. Many orthodontists, including our practice, offer a free first visit.
When should my child first see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check-up by about age 7. This does not mean treatment starts then. Most children who are checked at 7 will not need treatment right away. The visit simply lets an orthodontist watch how the teeth and jaw are developing and catch anything that may need attention later.
Do dentists and orthodontists work together?
Yes. Your general dentist handles your overall oral health, and your orthodontist focuses on straightening teeth and correcting bites. Many patients see both, and each one handles a different part of your care.
Ready to see an orthodontist?
If your concern is about how your teeth line up or how your bite fits together, an orthodontist is the specialist to see. At Wendling Orthodontics, Dr. Wendling, Dr. Perry, or Dr. Nolan will meet with you personally to look at your smile and talk through your options. Your first consultation is free, and you do not need a referral to come in. You are welcome to bring a recommendation from your dentist or schedule on your own. We would love to meet you and help you find the right next step.