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The Difference Between A Dentist and Orthodontist: Who To See and When

Love Yourself, Love Your Smile

Our team of professionals at Beverly Hills Orthodontics has been providing the greater Los Angeles area with excellent oral care since opening our doors in 2008. In that time, we have treated conditions from mild to severe with a number of different approaches, including Invisalign, conventional braces, hybrid orthodontic treatments, and accelerated orthodontic treatment. Over the last 14 years, we have also discovered that many of our patients begin consultations by asking what makes orthodontics different from cosmetic dentistry.

The big difference between dentists and orthodontists is the focus. Dentistry is a wide field that covers the following:

  • Regular biannual cleanings
  • Cosmetic procedures (e.g., veneers, dental bonding, etc.)
  • Restorative procedures (e.g., fillings, crowns, implants, etc.)
  • Periodontal therapy (i.e., gum treatments)

While all orthodontists are also dentists, orthodontics is among dentistry’s subspecialties. Orthodontists receive the same education and undergo the same programs as dentists. (4 years of college plus 4 years of dental school) However, after they become a dentist, orthodontists spend 3 years of extra training in a residency program to learn how to:

  • Straighten misaligned teeth
  • Correct bite misalignments
  • Perform jaw-correcting surgeries and other procedures
  • Improve profiles

It’s worth noting that only the top one or two students at each graduating dental class are accepted into orthodontic residency.

In this blog, we delve into the various differences between dentists and orthodontists. If you are seeking dental care and are unsure whether a dentist or orthodontist is the right fit for you, keep reading to learn the answer.

Dental Specialities

When most people hear the word “dentist,” they automatically think of the general dentists that they visit twice a year. During biannual checkups, general dentists aid your oral health by:

  • Directing dental hygienists to clean your teeth and gums
  • Examining your teeth, gums, throat, neck, and oral tissue for any abnormalities
  • Reviewing any X-rays to verify that teeth are healthy and in place
  • Discussing your oral care routine and recommending ways to better care for your teeth and gums

Beyond these checkups, most general dentists offer preventative and restorative oral care treatments. These treatments are used to address common problems like:

  • Damaged teeth
  • Cavities
  • Gingivitis

Biannual appointments with a general dentist are an essential part of good oral health. Regular cleanings keep your mouth and gums healthy, while a professional examination will pinpoint any emerging issues while they are still mild and easy to treat.

Of course, there are many scenarios in which patients require specialized procedures that a general dentist cannot perform. In these cases, patients should seek out a dental specialist. Today, the American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes numerous specialties, including:

  • Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics is the dental specialty that includes the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of malocclusion, as well as neuromuscular and skeletal abnormalities of the developing or mature orofacial structures.
  • Dental Anesthesiology, is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of anesthesiology encompassing the art and science of managing pain, anxiety, and overall patient health during dental, oral, maxillofacial and adjunctive surgical or diagnostic procedures throughout the entire perioperative period.
  • Dental Public Health is the science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts.
  • Endodontics is the dental specialty which is concerned with the morphology, biology, physiology, pathology and regeneration of the human dental pulp and periradicular tissues. An endodontist will perform root canals and other dental pulp- and gum-focused procedures.
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of pathology that deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. It is a science that investigates the causes, processes, and effects of these diseases.
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of radiology concerned with the production and interpretation of images and data produced by all modalities of radiant energy that are used for the diagnosis and management of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral and maxillofacial region.
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, is the specialty of dentistry which includes the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region.y.
  • Pediatric Dentistry, is an age-defined specialty that provides both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs.
  • Periodontics, is the specialty of dentistry that encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth or their substitutes and the maintenance of the health, function and esthetics of these structures and tissues. Periodontists treat gum diseases and repair dental implants.
  • Prosthodontics, is the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes. Prosthodontists create dentures and place crowns, bridges, and dental implants.
Reasons to Visit a Dentist
  • Regular check-ups
  • Tooth cleanings
  • Crowns/bridges
  • Dental implants
  • Cosmetic procedures (e.g., veneers)

In addition to these specialties, the ADA also recognizes orthodontics as a specialty in the dental field. However, orthodontics differs somewhat from the other specialties—a topic we explore in the next section.

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

As we mentioned earlier, the difference between dentists and orthodontists lies in their specializations. All orthodontists have become a dentist but go on to specialized 3 year residency training programs, which is only focused on tooth movement and facial orthopedics.

The term “orthodontics” literally means “straight teeth.” The word has two roots:

  1. Ortho-, which is the Greek word for “straight” or “regular”—and—
  2. Odon-, which means “tooth,” also from Greek

Orthodontists live up to this name by correcting alignment problems to give patients beautiful, straight smiles. For example, at Beverly Hills Orthodontists, our team treats the following issues:

  • Dental crowding
  • Spacing issues (i.e., tooth gaps)
  • Open bite
  • Deep bite
  • Crossbite
  • Overbite/overjet
  • Underbite

All of these issues can vary greatly in severity. Remember, every smile is unique, and so are their alignment problems. While one patient may have a mild case of crowding that is more of a simple aesthetic concern, another patient may have severe crowding that significantly impedes oral function.

Thanks to years of special training, orthodontists can correct even the most severe problems. Here at BHO, founder Dr. Monica Madan and her staff correct issues using:

  • Braces
  • Invisalign
  • Accelerated orthodontic measures
  • Specialized procedures
  • Oral appliances

With these measures and others, Dr. Madan and the BHO team craft treatment plans that are built to complement the unique needs and lifestyle preferences of each patient. Through orthodontic treatment, patients can eliminate their alignment issues and achieve perfectly straight smiles. After treatment, as long as patients remember to use their retainers as directed, they can keep their perfect smiles for life.

Reasons to Visit an Orthodontist
  • You want a nicer smile
  • Crowding is negatively affecting the look of your smile
  • Bite problems are degrading your oral health
  • You want to improve oral function via corrective oral care

The Biggest Difference Between Dentists and Orthodontists: An Orthodontist Can Give You a Perfect Smile for Life

Dentists and orthodontists work together to improve  your long-term oral health.  Orthodontists focus on an aspect of structural and functional work.

Based on their individual specialty, a dentist may clean your teeth/gums, repair a damaged tooth, or repair your smile with a dental implant. Orthodontists, on the other hand, focus on improving the way your teeth are aligned.

Thanks to years of extra schooling and rigorous training programs, orthodontists like BHO’s own Dr. Monica Madan have the expertise to correct crowding issues or bite problems and give patients perfect smiles that last a lifetime. If you are interested in improving the look and health of your smile, schedule a consultation at one of Beverly Hills Orthodontics’ offices in  Beverly Hills/Century City, Toluca Lake, Alhambra, and Downtown Los Angeles today.

Ready to meet with an orthodontist? Call or text us at 310-785-0770 or visit our contact page to book an appointment.

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patient reviews

Enjoy our 5-star experience.

We are thankful for the opportunity to serve our communities with the highest quality care. Check out what our patients are saying about their 5-star experience with us!

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l i z z i e
No one has scheduled my appointment better than Anthony and Dr. Madden is the best doctor!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful recommendation, Lizzie! We're thrilled to be considered the best in the area. Your support means a lot to us!
Alessandra M.
Dr Monica and her staff are just the absolute best. Office is beautiful and clean. Staff is great and kind and have never had any issues whatsoever. The work that she and her staff members do is just 10/10. They are also so welcoming and genuinely kind. Dr Monica and even members of her staff like Anthony will have genuine conversations with you and make you feel the most comfortable. Even during a treatment that many (including myself) are not fond of. (Anything dental related can be scary but they truly put you at peace.) I’m so happy that I made the decision to proceed with treatment here. All questions are always answered. Concerns dealt with. And treatment is impeccable. The results I already have solidify why I’m so happy with my decision to get work done here.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Alessandra. We're thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience. Our team is dedicated to making every visit comfortable and welcoming. Your satisfaction is our priority!
nathalie K.
Very friendly staff & very accommoding. They are very understanding. Everyone here is super welcoming and very nice! Can't wait to see my next appointment.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your glowing review, Nathalie! We’re thrilled to hear that you found our team friendly and accommodating. We look forward to welcoming you back at your next appointment!
T W.
I highly recommend Dr Madan at BHO for all of your orthodontic needs. Between her warm personality, knowledge and skill you will have to look no further.
This office constantly has amazing offers and specials that make their treatment pricing EXTREMELY competitive. Trust me, as I’ve gotten consults from just about every provider in town. I am seeing unbelievable results with my Invisalign treatment only a few weeks in. Dr Madan was the obvious choice, as she made this process as minimally invasive as possible. I have been to multiple of her offices and they all are pristine. I would recommend to anyone in the LA area looking for the best provider for their orthodontist!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your glowing review! We're delighted you're experiencing exceptional results with your Invisalign treatment. Dr. Madan strives to create a comfortable and effective orthodontic experience for every patient.
Eva P.
So far I am having an amazing experience with Dr Madan and BHO. I’ve consulted with many Orthos over the years for Invisalign. Almost all said I would have to extract a tooth to solve over crowding issue on bottom teeth. Within literally 5 weeks of Invisalign, my bottom teeth are almost completely straightened out already. I cannot believe how fast this treatment is working. Not to mention, I had tradition braces in the past and my teeth fully reverted to their original form. It took over 4 years to correct my crowding with braces the first time, back in the day.

How incredible Dr Madan and her staff is , along with her immaculate offices deserves its own second review. 10/10 experience so far highly recommend them!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Eva! We're thrilled to hear about your positive experience with Dr. Madan and our team. It’s rewarding to see your progress with Invisalign. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
Anahit M.
I’ve had a good experience here. I have been coming here for about two years and I’ve seen great progress.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Anahit! We're thrilled to hear about your positive experience and the progress you've made over the past two years. Your support means a lot to us!
valeria
Overall the best experience, definitely helped me get my self confidence back with my smile!!🥰
Response from the owner:We truly appreciate your feedback, Val! It’s fantastic to know that we positively impacted your self-confidence and smile. Thank you for choosing us and sharing your experience! We’re here for you anytime you need us.
Bardia A.
Monica and her team are so nice and professional. The experience has always been welcoming and the office was always clean and I felt totally comfortable coming in during the pandemic. They took every precaution and were so great to work with.
Response from the owner:We appreciate you taking the time to leave us feedback on your experience. We work very hard every day to exceed our patients’ expectations!
Justin H.
We have loved working with the team at Beverly Hills Orthodontics. We had 2 kids go through the Invisalign plan and they were always so nice and helpful in explaining everything. What a difference the program made!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the positive feedback. We are honored to serve each and every one of our patients!
Jade L.
Lose this dentist, the doctors are really nice and always answer my questions regarding my teeth.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words about us and our staff!
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  • BEVERLY HILLS
  • 2080 Century Park E #505
    Los Angeles, CA 90067
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    Los Angeles, CA 90014
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  • 10751 Riverside Dr.
    Toluca Lake, CA 91602
  • ALHAMBRA
  • 320 S. Garfield Ave. Suite 306
    Alhambra, CA 91801
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