Is an Orthodontist a Dentist?

Yes, an orthodontist is a dentist. After completing dental school, an orthodontist pursues additional full-time specialty training, typically a two- to three-year residency, focused on the alignment of teeth and jaws. That extra education is what separates a general dentist from an orthodontic specialist.

What Makes an Orthodontist a Dental Specialist

All orthodontists are dentists first, but not all dentists are orthodontists. A general dentist completes a four-year doctoral program in dental surgery or dental medicine and earns a license to practice broad-spectrum dentistry, including cleanings, fillings, crowns, and extractions. An orthodontist then enters a competitive residency where they study craniofacial biology, tooth movement, facial growth, and dentofacial orthopedics in depth.

Education and Training Pathway

The typical pathway includes:

• A four-year bachelor's degree
• Four years of dental school, resulting in a DDS or DMD degree
• A two- to three-year orthodontic residency program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation
• State licensure, and in many countries, board certification through a specialty body such as the American Board of Orthodontics

Scope of Practice: General Dentist vs. Orthodontist

A general dentist manages overall oral health, diagnoses and treats tooth decay and gum disease, and restores teeth with fillings, bridges, or veneers. An orthodontist limits their practice to moving teeth into proper alignment and guiding jaw growth. They design and oversee treatment using braces, clear aligners, retainers, and other corrective appliances to address malocclusion, spacing, crowding, and bite discrepancies.

When to See Each Provider

For routine cleanings, cavities, root canals, and general oral health, a general dentist is the appropriate provider. If a patient has a significant bite problem, crowded teeth, an overjet or underbite, or a jaw discrepancy that affects function or facial balance, a dentist may refer them to an orthodontist for specialized care. In many practices, dentists and orthodontists collaborate to coordinate treatment plans.