Dentist vs. Orthodontist

Dentists and orthodontists both work toward healthy, beautiful smiles, and they work best together. But their training is different, and knowing the difference helps you make an informed choice about orthodontic treatment.

At a glance

	General dentist	Orthodontist
Education	Dental degree	Dental degree, plus two to three years of full-time specialty training in orthodontics
Focus	Overall oral health: check-ups, cleanings, fillings, gum care and repairing teeth	Tooth and jaw alignment, bite problems and facial growth
Like a…	Family doctor	Medical specialist
Orthodontic treatment	May offer some orthodontic treatment, often one type or brand of aligner or braces	Trained in all types of braces, clear aligners, early treatment and retainers
Working together	Refers patients who need orthodontic care to a specialist	Keeps your dentist informed, while you keep seeing your dentist for regular care

Better together

Your family dentist is very important for your overall dental health, and you should keep seeing them for check-ups and cleanings during orthodontic treatment. Just as your family doctor works with medical specialists, dentists and orthodontists working together lead to the best results.

A general dentist who offers orthodontic treatment hasn’t completed the additional university training in orthodontics that a certified orthodontist has. It’s worth knowing who is providing your care, and asking about their training.

How to check that someone is a specialist

Open the RCDSO’s Find a Dentist register

The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario registers every dentist and dental specialist in the province. Go to Find a Dentist on rcdso.org.
Search by name

Search for the dentist by name, or search for registered orthodontists near you.
Look for the specialty

A certified orthodontic specialist is listed with a specialty in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.

Or use Find an OAO Orthodontist: every OAO member is a certified orthodontic specialist.

This page is general information only. Your orthodontist will advise you on your own situation.