Overview
This guide answers a common question: what do orthodontists do? It explains the orthodontic problems they treat and how orthodontic treatment works.
This guide is for parents wondering whether a child should see an orthodontist, and for adults thinking about treatment for themselves. Orthodontists are dental specialists who focus on the position of teeth and jaws. They do much more than create a perfect smile. Knowing what do orthodontists do can help you decide when their care is needed. Their work also affects how you bite, chew, and protect your oral health.
What Orthodontists Do
Orthodontists straighten teeth, correct bites, and guide jaw growth. They use braces, clear aligners, palate expanders, and retainers to move teeth into better positions.
Training That Makes a Specialist
Every orthodontist starts in dental school and earns a dental degree. After dental school, they complete additional years of specialty training in moving teeth and guiding jaw growth, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. [11] This extra training separates orthodontists from general dentists. Both can care for your teeth, but orthodontists focus on alignment and bite.
Orthodontic Problems They Treat
Orthodontists treat many orthodontic problems. Common ones include crooked teeth, crowded teeth, and misaligned teeth. They also close gaps and correct bite problems such as overbite, underbite, and crossbite. Fixing bites is a core part of orthodontic care, not only improving how teeth look. Sometimes a tooth gets stuck below the gum and cannot come in on its own. This is called an impacted tooth. Orthodontists often work with oral surgeons to bring impacted teeth into place. [8]
Tools and Appliances
Orthodontic care involves more than just braces. Metal and ceramic braces use brackets and wires to move teeth slowly over time. Clear aligners are clear, removable trays that fit over the teeth and are changed every week or two. A 2024 systematic review studied clear aligners in growing children and teens and found they can be used in this group, though results vary by case. [4]
Palate expanders are another common tool. Palate expanders gently widen the upper jaw, which can make room for permanent teeth. Research suggests rapid palatal expansion may also affect the size of the adenoids and tonsils in children. [6] Orthodontists increasingly use digital scans and software, and researchers are studying how artificial intelligence may support orthodontic diagnosis and planning. [3]
What to Know Before You Start
The American Association of Orthodontists suggests a child have a first orthodontic check by about age 7, when the first permanent teeth come in. [11]
By age 7, an orthodontist can spot orthodontic problems early, even while a child still has some baby teeth. Early orthodontic treatment can guide jaw growth and make room for permanent teeth. This is when palate expanders are often used, because the upper jaw is still growing. Treating problems early does not always mean braces right away. Sometimes the orthodontist simply watches how the teeth and jaws develop.
Adults can get orthodontic treatment too. Healthy teeth and gums can move at any age. Good oral health matters before and during treatment, because braces and aligners need a clean mouth to work well. The American Dental Association notes that healthy teeth and gums support overall health. [12] Before treatment starts, your orthodontist may ask you to see your regular dentist to treat cavities or gum disease first.
What to Expect During Treatment
Your first visit usually starts with an exam. The orthodontist looks at your teeth, jaws, and bite to plan a treatment that fits your case.
Next, the orthodontist gathers records. This often includes X-rays, photos, and a digital scan or mold of the patient's teeth. These records show tooth position and jaw growth in detail. The orthodontist studies the patient's teeth to find the cause of each problem.
Then the orthodontist explains your options. You might choose braces or clear aligners, depending on your case. A 2024 systematic review compared how long treatment takes with clear aligners and fixed braces for crowded teeth and found the timeline depends on the case. [5] Your orthodontist will explain what each option can and cannot do.
Once treatment starts, you visit the orthodontist regularly for adjustments. Braces are tightened, or you switch to new aligner trays. Orthodontic treatment can take months to a few years, depending on the problem. After the teeth reach their final position, you enter the retention stage. You wear retainers so the teeth do not drift back. Removable retainers come out to eat and clean. Bonded retainers are fixed behind the teeth. Teeth tend to shift over time, so retention is a long-term part of orthodontic care. [9] One systematic review described a rare complication of bonded retainers called wire syndrome, where the wire causes unwanted tooth movement, so your orthodontist will check fixed retainers over time. [7]
Cost Factors
The cost of orthodontic treatment depends on many factors, so there is no single price. Costs vary by location, provider, and case complexity.
Several things affect the cost of orthodontic treatment. The type of appliance matters, since clear aligners, braces, and palate expanders differ in price. Longer or more complex cases usually cost more. Where you live and which provider you see also change the price. Ask for a written estimate before orthodontic treatment begins, and ask what each payment covers.
Many dental insurance plans cover part of orthodontic treatment, and some cover more for children than for adults. Payment plans are common. Check whether your plan has an orthodontic benefit and a lifetime limit. Costs vary by location, provider, and case complexity, so it can help to compare a few orthodontists before you decide.
When to See an Orthodontist
See an orthodontist if you notice crowded or crooked teeth, a bad bite, or jaw pain that does not go away.
A general dentist treats everyday dental problems and can refer you to a specialist. You should see an orthodontist for crowded teeth, large gaps, an uneven bite, or trouble chewing. Jaw pain, clicking, or a jaw that does not line up can also signal a problem worth checking by a specialist.
Some cases need more than orthodontic treatment alone. Severe jaw differences may need jaw surgery along with braces, planned by an orthodontist and an oral surgeon together. Impacted teeth that will not come in may need surgical exposure, where a surgeon uncovers the tooth so the orthodontist can guide it into place. [10] For impacted teeth, orthodontic treatment and surgery are often planned side by side. [8]
Find an Orthodontist
Ready to find the right specialist? Orthodontists bring years of focused training in tooth and jaw movement that goes beyond general dental care. If you think you or your child could benefit from orthodontic care, learn more on the orthodontics page, then schedule a consultation with an orthodontist near you. A short visit can tell you whether orthodontic treatment makes sense for your case, and it is about more than a perfect smile.
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