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Are Dentists Orthodontists?

Love Yourself, Love Your Smile

are-dentists-orthodontists-1024x684
  • Dr. Monica Madan
  • January 31, 2023

For those who are unfamiliar with the world of oral health, dentists and orthodontists may not appear to be very different. After all, dentists and orthodontists are similar in many ways: we both attend dental school and we both work with teeth.

Given these commonalities, we here at Beverly Hills Orthodontics understand why new patients don’t always have a clear understanding of what orthodontists actually are. In fact, we spend many of our consultations explaining what sets us apart from dentists. Some of the most common questions we hear from patients include:

  • Is my dentist an orthodontist? 
  • Are dentists orthodontists?
  • What sets an orthodontist apart from a general dentist?
  • Do I need an orthodontist for Invisalign?
  • Can my family dentist provide braces?

If you’ve been asking yourself the same questions, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll attempt to clear up any “dentist vs. orthodontist” confusion by answering these questions and more. By the end of the blog, you’ll be able to tell the difference between dentists and orthodontists so you know which of these physicians is best suited to treat your specific issues. 

Are Dentists Orthodontists?
No!—But All Orthodontists Are Dentists

If the headline above seems confusing, give us a minute to explain. Dentistry is a medical field focused on maintaining the health of:

  • Teeth
  • Gums
  • The mouth
  • The jaw
  • Facial tissue
  • Oral Function

Hopefully, you have been visiting a dentist regularly since you were around 12 months old. From this point on, all people should visit the dentist twice a year for essential services, including:

  • Gum and tooth cleanings
  • Gum, teeth, throat, and neck examination
  • Basic restoration work (e.g,. fillings, root canals, etc.)

A dentist who provides these services is called a general dentist. Anyone who graduates from dental school can become a general dentist once they pass their three National Board Dental Examinations. 

Some dental school graduates, however, pursue further specializations. The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes 12 dental subspecialties, including:

  • Orthodontics, which focuses on diagnosing, preventing, intercepting, and correcting bite problems and misaligned teeth
  • Periodontics, which focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing issues related to the gums and surrounding tissue
  • Endodontics, which focuses on studying and treating problems in the dental pulp and gum tissue.
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, which focuses on treating injuries, defects, and diseases affecting the mouth, jaw, and face

Dentists, Orthodontists, and Why Specialties Matter 

Now that we’ve established that dentists are not orthodontists, we can focus on why we differentiate between dentists and orthodontists at all. 

Structurally speaking, the human mouth is complex. Although we don’t often realize it, basic tasks like eating, speaking, and laughing require bones, gums, teeth, and muscles to work in harmony. A general dentist can provide basic oral care, but complex issues—like bite problems—require a specialist.

Distinctive Dental Training

After graduating from dental school, orthodontists attend a 3-year residency training program focused only on orthodontics. Their study concentrates on understanding how teeth move and learning to correct complicated alignment problems such as:

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

General dentists do not receive this training. Correcting bite problems requires a deeper understanding of oral function, tooth movement, facial growth, and facial orthopedics—far more than what standard dental school covers.

Alignment Experts

Residency programs provide orthodontists with the expertise and experience required to:

  • Diagnose bite issues in patients as young as 5
  • Prescribe interceptive orthodontic treatments to improve bite problems at an early age 
  • Craft treatment plans that align with patient lifestyles and personal preferences 
  • Use accelerated orthodontic treatments to correct bite problems more quickly
  • Identify possible complications during treatment and pivot accordingly

While dentists are typically not trained to perform these specialized tasks, some do offer Invisalign services. They are able to do so because the manufacturer-supplied software creates treatment plans for them. Invisalign software is advanced enough to design aligners, although each face is unique and can present complications midway through treatment. 

The difference between dentists and orthodontists is similar to knowing you should visit a general doctor for a cold vs. understanding you need an ophthalmologist for eye surgery. If you want a perfect smile without the risks and limitations of dentist-provided Invisalign, schedule an appointment with a licensed orthodontist. 

Schedule a Consultation at Beverly Hills Orthodontics Today

Dentists provide many important services, like cleaning teeth and gums, identifying problems, and performing procedures to keep your mouth healthy. Many also specialize in cosmetics, like veneers. Orthodontists and general dentists often work closely to provide patients the best care possible.

If you are serious about improving your smile, you want to partner with a professional orthodontist like BHO’s own Dr. Monica Madan. Dr. Madan and the BHO team understand what it takes to create custom treatment plans that meet the lifestyle preferences of each patient. Whether you have mild crowding issues or severe bite problems, BHO can give you a perfect smile using methods that work around your schedule. Call us today to learn more. 

NOTE: All blog content is intended to supplement—NOT REPLACE—the expertise of a healthcare professional and should not be construed in any way as medical advice. Consult a professional orthodontist directly, like the ones at BHO, to assess your individual needs and advise the best course of treatment.

Your Smile Is More than just two rows of teeth - it's how you show your personality to the world.

Let Dr. Madan and her team help you help keep your smile looking (and feeling) better than ever.
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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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Before finding BHO, I had consultations both telling me traditional braces were my only option. I knew my case would be a bit challenging but as an adult, metal braces weren't going to work... for me, aesthetically speaking. I'm so glad I followed my instincts and gave BHO a shot! From the moment I walked in, I knew this was the place. Modern amenities with a super friendly staff explaining everything along the way - what a great first impression! I just started my treatment and can't wait to see my results! Dr. Madan and her team are legit! Don't hesitate to get the smile your deserve!read more
Nydia J.
Our entire experience with the staff and services at Beverly Hills Orthodontics has been fantastic. Their knowledge, advice and care has been exceptional and I have no hesitation in... recommending them to anyone looking for first class orthodontic care. Special shout outs to Dr Madan and Gabriel for their above and beyond care❤️read more
Juliet P.
What a wonderful experience. Dr. Madan and the entire staff are professional, kind, and very understanding. So far they have made the experience of Invisalign extremely easy. I just wish I... had gone there sooner!read more
Claire P.
I recently relocated to Los Angeles and not long after being here needed to have some repair dental work done and did not know where to turn. I was given a referral to Dr. Madan and could... not be happier. I was able to receive an appointment really quickly and was advised of an immediate plan of action to get my corrective work going. Dr. Madan is extremely knowledgeable about her craft and to top it off, she has a great temperament that instantly put me at ease and made me feel like she genuinely cared. Her Beverly Hills office is vibrant, with really friendly & pleasant staff, who make you feel comfortable and bring all the right vibes! No question I would recommend Beverly Hills Orthodontics to anyone looking to have work done on their teeth and perfect their smile.read more
Dionnee H.
Dr. Madan and her team at BHO are truly amazing. She has treated myself and my daughter and we both now have BEAUTIFUL smiles because of her. She is an expert at what she does and is... caring and attentive. I recommend this office to everyone all the time!!!!!! The best!!!read more
Mia C.
Tia literally invented the Invisalign game. Changing lives one smile at a time.
William S.
BHO is the only place where you'd want to get your braces done! Their staff is so friendly and knowledgeable. Their helpdesk staff always greet you with a smile on. Dr. Madan and her team... of technicians are always ready to answer all of your questions, address any concerns and get you on the road to obtaining the perfect Smile.read more
Bella M.
Amazing people and amazing results-Highly recommend
Ben S.
I’m impressed by the technology and professionalism of Beverly Hills Orthodontics. They are knowledgeable about my unique orthodontic needs and were able to provide recommendations on my... treatment as an adult patient. I’m very excited to begin my Invisalign journey!read more
Victoria G.
Best Orthodontics around! Dr. Madan and her amazing team are always on point, bringing both my kids beautiful smiles. Have been coming to the BH office for several years now and absolutely... love the results and customer service! Would (and have) highly recommended them!read more
J I.
We had a terrific experience with Dr. Madan. They always worked with our schedule and made us feel welcome and happy at each appointment.
Audrey K.
Great experience. Treatment was quick and easy for me and the staff was great to deal with and professional. I’m very happy with my new smile.
Steve V.
I usually don’t do many reviews but I had to for this office! I am myself a Pediatric Dentist and I researched for the best office for my daughter. She just finished her Invisalign ... treatment at Beverly Hills Orthodontics and we are so happy with her smile! I have been practicing Dentistry for over 20 years and I am so impressed with the team here. From the front desk to the Doctors and their assistants, everyone has made our experience so wonderful! As a Dentist, I would recommend BHO for anyone wanting to improve their smile😊read more
Nina G
BHO is awesome and Dr. Monica Madan and their team are so friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable. I started with some aesthetic improvements for my wedding photos and was very impressed... with the initial results. However, I had a major cross-bite that would typically require surgery to correct, which wasn’t appealing. After consultation with Monica she thought it would be possible to correct with Invisalign so we decided to proceed for the long haul. While it’s been a long time, the results have been outstanding. I wasn’t sure I would be able to be B withstand that long of the treatment and achieve these results but after seeing the progress it’s been very encouraging and motivating to stick with it. I’m likely on my last refinement and the before and after is remarkable and transformative. Their office is always bright, clean, and has a lively vibe going on. Always feel good being there and better when I leave. Couldn’t recommend them more highly enough. Monica has done a great job building this out and creating a great team and experience.read more
Matt W.
Beverly Hills Orthodontics has been a wonderful experience. The team are extremely professional and experienced. I completed my Invisalign treatment today and had enameloplasty and zoom... whitening to complete the treatment. I’m so happy with the results. Dr. Madan, Gabriel, and the rest of the team listened to my concerns, set up several check-up appointments with me to follow my progress, and provided me with refinements when my teeth were being stubborn. The office is also a great atmosphere with current music playing, friendly staff, and amazing views of Los Angeles from the dentist chair! I would highly recommend this orthodontic practice. Thank you, everyone!read more
Sophie D.
Great overall service staff was very helpful with explaining process. Would highly recommend as it was a smooth process with no surprises along the way.Would like to highlight the... multiple locations which make it easy for scheduling appointments dependent on where you live or what part of LA you will be in that day.read more
Sean M.
My son and daughter have been coming here for years! Absolutely love them.
Tarja C.
I started my Invisalign treatments here and the staff was really friendly and patient with all my concerns and questions. Love it!
Jana M.
Super great experience! Came in for my consultation around the beginning of the year with a plan in mind to have my teeth straight before graduation through Invisalign and the BHO team... completely surpassed my expectations. My USC graduation is in 2 weeks, I just got my brackets off and smile is looking awesome. Annabel and Gabriel were so welcoming, friendly, and made the experience that much better. Dr. Madan was awesome she was always around and extremely hands on, great personality! Definitely come here if you’re looking for an orthodontist!! 10/10! :)read more
Eva P.
Really great experience so far, especially compared to other ortho places where I've had treatment before. For example, my partner went to another place and doesn't hear from them for... months at a time, whereas this place uses an app to keep in touch every week.They were running a special when I signed up which took nearly $1,000 off invisalign - super helpful considering the price!!! I don't think it runs all the time so you might want to ask them - but they combined it with my dental insurance so the cost came out really affordable... less than $100/month for 12 months.Even when I needed tooth filing, attachments, and refinements across multiple visits, they were super kind and flexible to meet my very very hectic schedule definitely recommend going here!read more
Jonathan B.
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