What This Guide Covers
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who corrects misaligned teeth and jaws. This guide explains what they do and when to see one.
Here is a simple orthodontist definition: a dentist with advanced training who diagnoses, prevents, and treats problems with the position of teeth and jaws. The full title is orthodontist and dentofacial orthopedist. This guide is for anyone thinking about straightening their teeth, for themselves or a child.
You will learn what an orthodontist does, how their training differs from a general dentist, and what to expect during orthodontic care. The guide also covers clear aligners, braces, and other orthodontic appliances, plus how to know when to see an orthodontist.
What an Orthodontist Does
An orthodontist straightens teeth and aligns jaws. They use braces, clear aligners, retainers, and growth appliances to correct how the teeth and the bite fit together.
Training and Education
Every orthodontist starts as a dentist. After college, they finish dental school, usually four years. Then they complete an orthodontic residency program, a multi-year specialty program focused only on tooth movement and jaw growth.[11] This is why an orthodontist is also called a dentofacial orthopedist. A general dentist does not complete this residency, which is the main reason orthodontists handle the most complex cases of misaligned teeth.
Conditions They Treat
Orthodontists treat crowded teeth, crooked teeth, gaps, and bite problems. A bite problem means the upper teeth and lower teeth do not meet the way they should. Orthodontic treatment can move teeth into better positions and improve how the bite works.
Orthodontists also practice dentofacial orthopedics. This part of the field guides the growth of the jaw and face, mostly in children whose bones are still developing.[6] Tools like palate expanders can widen a narrow upper jaw during these growth years.
Beyond Straightening Teeth
An orthodontist does more than straighten teeth. Some help treat obstructive sleep apnea, a condition where breathing pauses during sleep. They may fit a mandibular advancement device, an oral appliance that holds the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open.[2] A dentofacial orthopedist also joins teams that care for children born with cleft lip and palate, using dentofacial orthopedics to guide jaw growth.[6] Because the jaw and bite connect to the face, orthodontists work near the field of orofacial pain, which covers pain in the face, jaw, and mouth and can be complex to manage.[3]
What to Know Before You Start
Most orthodontic problems can be treated at any age, but timing matters. Children should have a first orthodontic check around age 7.
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, a child should have a first orthodontic check by about age 7.[11] By then, enough adult teeth have come in to spot problems early. An early visit does not always mean early treatment. Often the orthodontist just watches how the teeth and jaw grow.
Adults can have orthodontic treatment too. Healthy teeth can move at almost any age. Many adults choose clear aligners because they are hard to see. The right time to see an orthodontist is when you notice crowded teeth, crooked teeth, gaps, or a bite that feels off.
Before your first visit, gather your dental history. Tell the orthodontist about past dental work, jaw pain, or grinding. Keep up good oral health habits, since clean teeth make treatment easier and safer.
- Traditional metal braces: metal brackets and wires that move teeth over time.
- Clear aligners: a series of clear, removable trays.
- Palate expanders: devices that widen a narrow upper jaw in growing children.
- Retainers: appliances that hold teeth in place after treatment ends.
What to Expect During Treatment
Your first visit is an exam and consultation. The orthodontist checks your teeth, takes images, and explains your treatment options and likely timeline.
At the first visit, the orthodontist examines your upper teeth, lower teeth, and bite. They may take X-rays, photos, and a digital scan or mold of your teeth. These records help them plan how to correct misaligned teeth. The orthodontist then reviews your choices, such as traditional braces or clear aligners, and explains the trade-offs of each. Lingual braces are another option, since they attach to the back of the teeth and stay hidden. One study reviewed YouTube videos about lingual orthodontic treatment to check how reliable that online information was.[7]
Active orthodontic treatment usually lasts months to a few years. With braces, you return for adjustments every few weeks. With aligners, you switch to a new tray on a set schedule and check in less often. Either way, treatment relies on regular visits so the orthodontist can track progress.[5] Some soreness is normal in the days after an adjustment or a new tray. Research has studied the pain that comes with orthodontic tooth movement and how the surrounding tissues respond.[9]
Good oral health habits matter even more during treatment. Brushing and flossing well keeps plaque off the teeth and brackets, which lowers your risk of cavities and gum problems. Plaque control is a key part of successful orthodontic care.[10]
Keeping Your Results
When the braces or aligners come off, you have a new smile, but the work is not done. Teeth tend to drift back toward their old spots. A retainer holds them in place. A systematic review of randomized clinical trials looked at how Hawley retainers, a common removable type, perform at keeping teeth stable.[8] Wearing your retainer as directed protects the result of your orthodontic treatment over the long term.
What Affects the Cost
Orthodontic treatment costs vary widely. The main drivers are case complexity, treatment length, the type of appliance, and where you live.
Costs vary by location, provider, and case complexity. A short, simple case usually costs less than one that takes years or needs jaw work. Clear aligners and hidden lingual braces often cost more than traditional metal braces, though prices overlap.
Dental insurance may cover part of the cost, often up to a lifetime maximum. Many plans cover children more than adults. Ask the office about payment plans and what your insurance includes. Get a written estimate before treatment starts, since costs vary by location, provider, and case complexity.
When to See an Orthodontist
See an orthodontist when you have crowded teeth, crooked teeth, gaps, a misaligned bite, or jaw concerns that your dentist says need specialty care.
A general dentist handles cleanings, fillings, and overall oral health. An orthodontist focuses on moving teeth and aligning jaws. Many people are referred by their dentist, but you can also book a consultation on your own.
Watch for these signs that specialty care may help:
- Crowded teeth or crooked teeth that are hard to clean.
- Gaps or extra spacing between teeth.
- A bite where the upper teeth and lower teeth do not meet evenly.
- Trouble chewing, or jaw discomfort linked to the bite.
- A child whose adult teeth are coming in crooked or crowded.
Finding an Orthodontist
Ready to take the next step toward a new smile? Visit the orthodontics page to learn more and find a qualified specialist near you. A consultation is the best way to see whether treatment is right for you. Trusted patient resources from the American Association of Orthodontists[11] and the American Dental Association[12] can help you prepare your questions before you see an orthodontist.
Search Orthodontists in Your Area
