If you’ve ever wondered whether you need to book an appointment with a dentist or an orthodontist, you’re not alone. Understanding the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist helps you get the right care from the right expert at the right time. Both play essential roles in your oral health, but their training, focus, and daily work look quite different.
Here’s what sets them apart so you can make confident choices for your smile and your family’s.
What Is the Difference Between an Orthodontist and a Dentist?
All orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. A dentist cares for your overall oral health, treating cavities, gum concerns, and routine cleanings. An orthodontist is a dental specialist who focuses exclusively on tooth and jaw alignment, correcting bites, and creating straighter smiles using appliances like braces and Invisalign.
Orthodontics is one of 12 dental specialties officially recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA). While both professionals begin their careers in dental school, orthodontists complete additional years of residency training before they can call themselves specialists. That’s why Dr. Daniel Varallo, an orthodontic specialist with more than 30 years of experience, limits his practice to orthodontic care only. This focused expertise is a hallmark of a true single-doctor practice, where you see the same specialist from your first consultation through the final result.
Think of it this way: your dentist is your primary care provider for teeth and gums. Your orthodontist is the specialist you see when alignment, spacing, or bite correction is the goal.
Training and Education: How Each Professional Qualifies
The paths of a dentist and an orthodontist start the same, but they split in a meaningful way. Below is how each professional earns their qualifications.
Shared Foundation:
- Four-year undergraduate degree, usually with a strong science focus
- Four years of dental school at an ADA-accredited program
- Graduation with a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree
- Passing national and state licensing exams
Once a general dentist earns their license, they can begin practicing right away, offering a wide range of general oral health services.
Additional Orthodontic Training:
Orthodontists continue their education for another 2-3 years in a highly competitive, ADA-accredited residency program. These residencies accept only a small number of applicants each year, making orthodontic specialty training one of the most selective paths in dentistry.
During residency, future orthodontists study:
- Biomechanics of tooth movement
- Craniofacial growth and development
- Appliance therapy, including braces, aligners, and expanders
- Diagnosis and treatment planning for complex alignment cases
- Pediatric, teen, and adult orthodontic treatment
After residency, orthodontists may pursue board certification through the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO), which involves rigorous written and clinical examinations. Dr. Varallo brings more than 30 years of experience and ongoing involvement in professional education, serving as Treasurer of the New England Damon Study Club. He’s also a member of both the American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).
This extended training is what allows orthodontists to handle alignment cases that general dentists typically refer out.
Services Each Provider Offers
While there’s some overlap, dentists and orthodontists offer very different day-to-day services. Below is a side-by-side look at what each professional typically provides.
Services Your General Dentist Offers:
- Routine cleanings and exams
- Cavity fillings
- Crowns, bridges, and veneers
- Root canals
- Tooth extractions
- Gum health care
- Teeth whitening
- Oral cancer screenings
- X-rays and preventive care
Services an Orthodontist Offers:
- Damon self-ligating braces (metal and clear)
- Invisalign and Invisalign Teen
- Invisalign First for younger children
- Retainer options
- Palatal expanders
- Bite correction (overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite)
- Treatment for crowding and spacing
- Early interceptive orthodontic treatment
Dentists focus on preventing and treating decay and disease, keeping your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime. Orthodontists focus on how your teeth fit together, how your jaw functions, and how your smile looks and works.
At Varallo Orthodontics, every treatment plan is customized to the individual. From Damon metal braces and Damon clear braces to Invisalign and retainer options, Dr. Varallo builds a customized treatment plan around your goals and lifestyle. As a diamond Invisalign provider, Dr. Varallo has helped thousands of patients achieve new smiles across Arlington, Burlington, Cambridge, Lexington, Somerville, and Winchester.
Both professionals monitor your overall oral health during visits, which is why your dentist and orthodontist often work as a team during treatment. Your dentist handles cleanings and preventive care while your orthodontist manages your alignment progress.
Orthodontist vs Dentist: Side-by-Side Comparison
Below is a quick-reference comparison that highlights the key differences between these two professionals.
| Category | General Dentist | Orthodontist |
|---|---|---|
| Total Training | 8 years (college + dental school) | 10-11 years (college + dental school + residency) |
| Specialty Focus | General oral health | Tooth and jaw alignment |
| Common Services | Cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions | Braces, Invisalign, retainers, bite correction |
| Visit Frequency | Twice yearly for cleanings | Every 4-8 weeks during active treatment |
| First Visit Recommended | By age 1 (per ADA) | By age 7 (per AAO) |
| Referral Needed? | No | No, self-referral welcome |
The AAO recommends that every child receive their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Why so early? Because evaluating a child’s bite and jaw development at this age helps catch alignment issues before they become more complex. In many cases, no treatment is needed right away, but early monitoring makes future treatment simpler and more predictable if any care is needed later on.
For adults, there’s no age limit. Orthodontic treatment works at any stage of life, and today’s options include nearly invisible aligners and smaller, lower-profile brackets that fit easily into a professional lifestyle.
When to See a Dentist vs. an Orthodontist
Not sure which professional to call? Use this quick guide to decide which type of care suits your situation best.
See a Dentist When You Have:
- Tooth sensitivity or discomfort
- A cavity or suspected cavity
- Bleeding or swollen gums
- A chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
- A lost filling or crown
- Bad breath that won’t go away
- A regular cleaning or checkup due
- Concerns about tooth discoloration
See an Orthodontist When You Notice:
- Crooked, crowded, or overlapping teeth
- Gaps or spacing between teeth
- An overbite, underbite, or crossbite
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Jaw clicking or discomfort
- A child nearing age 7 who hasn’t had an orthodontic evaluation
- An interest in Invisalign or braces for yourself or your child
Many patients come to Varallo Orthodontics through a referral from their general dentist, but you don’t need one. You can schedule a free consultation directly with Dr. Varallo at either our Arlington or Burlington office.
Children should have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7, according to AAO guidelines. This doesn’t mean treatment starts at 7, it simply means a specialist can monitor growth and recommend the right timing. Adults are candidates for orthodontic treatment at any age, and modern options like Invisalign make it easier than ever to straighten your teeth discreetly without disrupting work or social life. With more than 30 years of experience and a practice rated by more than 1,000 local patients, Dr. Varallo has helped families of all ages find their perfect fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an orthodontist a qualified dentist?
Yes. Every orthodontist is a fully licensed dentist who has completed dental school and passed the same licensing exams as any general dentist. The difference is that orthodontists went on to complete 2-3 additional years of specialty residency, giving them advanced training in tooth and jaw alignment.
Can an orthodontist do a root canal?
Technically, an orthodontist is licensed to perform general dental care, including root canals, because they hold a dental degree. In practice, however, orthodontists focus exclusively on alignment and bite correction. If you need a root canal, your orthodontist will refer you to your general dentist or an endodontist who specializes in that type of care.
Do I need a dentist referral to see an orthodontist?
No. You can schedule a free consultation directly with an orthodontist without a referral from your dentist. Many of our patients come to us on their own, while others are referred by their general dentist. Either way, you’re welcome to book a visit anytime.
Should I continue seeing my dentist during orthodontic treatment?
Absolutely. Regular dental cleanings and exams remain essential throughout your orthodontic treatment. Braces and aligners create extra nooks around brackets, wires, and attachments where plaque can hide, so professional cleanings every six months help prevent decay and gum inflammation while your teeth move. Your dentist and orthodontist work as a team, with your dentist watching enamel, gum tissue, and overall oral health while Dr. Varallo tracks your alignment progress.
Ready to find out whether braces or Invisalign is right for you or your child? Dr. Varallo and the team at Varallo Orthodontics would love to meet you. Schedule a free consultation at our Arlington office (22 Mill St., Suite 403, Arlington, MA, 781-648-9200) or our Burlington office (101 Cambridge St., Suite 140, Burlington, MA, 781-425-5090). Your smile deserves the best, and we’re here to help you find your perfect fit.